A unique synthesis of Blues, Rock, Soul, Disco, House, and Techno music are echoed in both Scott Ferguson's productions and DJ sets. His jazzy and soulful compositions, energetic club tracks and druggy slow-burners incorporate a blend of engaging rhythms with conscious themes. A perfect blend of awareness and unique style makes Ferguson stand on his own and is embraced by music lovers around the globe.
1994/1995: Hungry and seeking knowledge, Scott Ferguson connected with... Read more
A unique synthesis of Blues, Rock, Soul, Disco, House, and Techno music are echoed in both Scott Ferguson's productions and DJ sets. His jazzy and soulful compositions, energetic club tracks and druggy slow-burners incorporate a blend of engaging rhythms with conscious themes. A perfect blend of awareness and unique style makes Ferguson stand on his own and is embraced by music lovers around the globe.
1994/1995: Hungry and seeking knowledge, Scott Ferguson connected with local DJs at Zoots, The Sardine Bar, and warehouse parties at the Packard Plant and Bankle Building where Detroit's electronic music sub-culture thrived. Attending raves and clubs on a weekly basis, Scott became immersed in the scene as well as starting his own collection of House and Techno records.
1996: After purchasing two Technics 1210 turntables and a small Gemini DJ mixer, Scott spent countless hours teaching himself the art of mixing records seamlessly and smoothly. Inspired by the soul and beauty of Detroit electronic music icons Theo Parrish and Kenny Dixon Jnr. , Scott began to realize the essential elements of a brilliant party, a exceptional DJ, and an extraordinary producer. In order to make this dream a reality, Scott relocated to Los Angeles and began teaching himself sampling, sequencing, and recording, as well as honing his DJ skills. Away from the familiar distractions in Detroit, these events formed the basic ideology on which Ferrispark Records was founded.
1997/1998: Over the next two years Ferguson stayed rooted in the Detroit sound while becoming connected to the Los Angeles music scene. Scott befriended World renowned DJ and producer Eddie Amador and their common interests and musical taste eventually lead to the pair teaming up as a production duo releasing tracks on the LA based Mochico Record label. Also Ferguson frequented two important weekly events hosted by Marques Wyatt, "Promised Land" and "Does Your Momma Know". At these affairs Ferguson was introduced to other prominent producers and Deejays such as Louie Vega, Terry Hunter, Frankie Knuckles, and Peter Brandwein. Brandwein and Ferguson would team up to become the production duo "The Noshlings". In 1998 Scott purchased an Ensoniq ASR-10 and learned the essentials of production.
1999/2001: Returning to Detroit with more records, skills and experience, Scott launched Ferrispark Records in October of 2001 with the pressing of five hundred copies of the “Dump Days e.p.” The title track Dump Days echoed in warehouses and clubs around the world, slowly becoming a underground classic. Jockey Slut Magazine called the track "a Hit" while Mixer and Musik Magazine praised the production of the record. After falling into the hands of Dj Hell and another to Doc Martin, it was licensed by Gigolo Records and Classic Music Company. Finally established as a producer, it was clear that innovation and uniqueness were to be the hallmarks of Scott Ferguson and Ferrispark Records.
2002: After the success of the "Dump Days e.p." Ferguson went back into the studio completing two new gritty and emotional records entitled "Teaching Lovdjieff e.p." and "Signifying e.p." Staying true to his own unique style the two new records solidified Ferguson's appeal to soulful electronica fans. Next, "Bleed To Be Free" with vocalist Marvin Belton was released. This heart-wrenching epic about life and understanding was a hit with deep house lovers around the world, firmly establishing Ferguson as one of the top producers in the underground music world. In an URB Magazine review of "Bleed To be Free" URB writer Scott Sterling claimed "heads who clamor behind the joyous noise of Detroit music icons Kenny Dixon Jr, and Theo Parrish, get thy hands on anything from this label immediately" and M8 Magazine praised the release as "an epic, deep vocal excursion".
2003: Ferguson released two consecutive 12" records on Ferrispark entitled "Gnosis e.p." and "Death of the Diggers e.p." M8 Magazine gave the "Gnosis e.p.", 8 out of 8, and called it "a seriously deep four tracker...sure to please fans of Moodymann and Theo Parrish...a fine release throughout..." The same year Scott teamed up with Reggie Dokes to form the collaboration "Koomba Project". As one half of Koomba Project Ferguson remixed Alton Miller's "Tulum" for Third Ear Recordings and Dokes's "Black Thoughts" for Psychostatia Recordings. International DJ Magazine had the following to say about the Third Ear Koomba Project remix. "...and best of all Koomba Project lavish mucho love and attention on Alton Miller's ace Tulum". Scott Ferguson and Ferrispark Records were proving themselves to the World and the industry was taking notice. In the Spring 2003 issue of URB Magazine, Ferrispark Records was chosen as one of the music industries "Next 100" to watch.
2004: With the success of the label, Ferguson planned a trip to Buenos Aires to draw inspiration from the beautiful South American city. His travels brought about the production of two records "All of the Day e.p." and "The Master of Darkness e.p." While in Argentina Scott befriended Native American Silvio Manuel, he then introduced the underground music world to the Spanish speaking Nagual by producing his first record "The Master of Darkness e.p.". With Scott's help the release crossed musical platforms and expanding the labels fan base by impressing lovers of house, techno, and minimal electronica. Once again DJ Hell licensed one of the tracks "Silvio Manuel Es La Oscuridad" for his own Gigolo Records. "All of the Day e.p." marked Ferrispark Record's twelfth successful record release prompting Ferguson to announce the release of a Ferrispark CD Compilation and a European tour to promote the label and himself.
2005: The year kicked off with the European tour and the release of the "Sounds Vol 1." compilation CD. During the Belgian part of the tour Ferguson signed new artists Red D & Core and soon released their "Champetu Heritage ep" The heavily influenced African and South American four tracker included an Afrobeat remix by Ferguson and a dreamy techno remix by the Manuel/Ferguson production team. "Sounds Vol. 1" began opening new avenues for the label, making music available to an audience outside of vinyl collectors and also available on all major digital music stores. URB Magazine's Associate Editor Josh Glazer said this of the CD, "With this collection, Ferrispark officially joins the ranks of slow burners like Moodymann's Mahogani Music and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature labels." CSI Magazine called "Sounds Vol. 1" their 1 choice for the month of March. The tour and compilation CD were another triumph for Scott Ferguson and Ferrispark Records. Within that year Marvin Belton's second record, the single "Any Day Now" was released. Ferguson's masterful production accompanied by Belton's beautiful lyrics and strong vocal performance made for another underground classic. Scott also continued to do remixes signing on to reconstruct Native Funk's "Retro Elements" and Juju and Jordash's "Hush". Interstellar Sounds had this to say about the "Hush" remix, "flip over for an extended Reggie Dokes & Scott Ferguson Remix and quite simply what has to be one of the most beautifully moody pieces that may even put ol' KDJ to shame, drawing the listener in with its subtly infectious spattering of bongo rhythms and incorporating one of the most haunting saxophone riffs I've heard in a very long time."
2006: With the new year Scott set out on another successful European tour this time joined by vocalist Marvin Belton. Future tours will include the incorporation of Ableton Live and musicians along with the DJ performance. Musically, Ferguson has spent most of the year putting the finishing touches on his first full length album entitled "Save Our Sons and Daughters" as well as producing Marvin Belton's first full length album "In The Light". "Save Our Sons and Daughters", crosses many musical styles and influences showing a wider range of Ferguson's talent and the naturalness of Ferguson's production skills. The album is scheduled for release next year along with "In The Light".
2007 to present: Many exciting things have already taken place this year such as eight dates across Belgium, the release of the "Walden Ponds ep" on Deep Vibes Records out of Germany, the release of "Save Our Sons And Daughters" and “Ferris Street” digitally on Ferrispark Records, and another new EP being released on Spain's Deep Explorer record label. Scott continues to grow as a producer lending a hand to fellow artists Silvio Manuel, Dubbyman and the jazzy Detroit duo En Passant. Ferguson has also teamed up with fellow DJ/Producer Keith Kemp to start the new minimal techno sub-label of Ferrispark Records ,Gravid Digital. The label will be focusing on the future of digital media releasing virtual records, music videos, podcasts, as well as loops, samples, and Ableton Live songs. Now with the two mediums, Ferrispark Records for soulful electronica, and Gravid Digital for experimental techno, the sky is the limit. Show less
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