Menagerie – They Shall Inherit

Lance Ferguson has already demonstrated the eclecticism of his influences, in projects ranging from Lanu’s lounge-pop to his main concern, funk outfit The Bamboos. Menagerie sees the Melbourne-based New Zealander tackle a new realm, spiritual jazz; but while there is a fresh musical palette here, in which sax, flute and piano predominate, the mood of They Shall Inherit carries similarly laid-back, coffee-table vibes to much of Ferguson’s other work.

Forays into traditional jazz are dangerous for the inexperienced, but Ferguson’s enlistment of saxophonist Philip Noy - whose sax is reconfigured to match John Coltrane’s settings - papers over some of Inherit’s limitations; while a guest appearance from the legendary vibraphonist Roy Ayers, on Leroy and the Lion, provides some welcome sonic variety. For all of its professionalism, however, the LP remains stubbornly bland, generic and unadventurous, suggesting that Ferguson has overstepped the limits of his impressive versatility on this occasion. [Sam Wiseman]