Zo! (n) -- 1. Metro Detroit-born, Metro DC-based musician/producer Lorenzo Ferguson. 2. An exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalist who claims the piano/keyboard as his primary instrument, but is self-taught on the bass guitar, the drums, and most recently the guitar. 3. A Musical Architect who utilizes all sound elements to form original compositions that fall under no single genre of music.
With a catalog that dates back to 2001, Zo! began to generate interest by completing and circulating five instrumental projects from 2001 through April of 2003. But he has received the most attention from his latest projects entitled Zo! Presents...Passion & Definition as well as his remix album Re:Definition. Passion..., released in July of 2004, is a soul-driven instrumental project that boasts a 21-track lineup of thick low-grooving rhythms that all possess a wonderful warm quality. Both albums thoroughly showcase Zo!'s ability to expand creatively as he played all of the different instruments live.
Though known mostly for solo work, he has collaborated with a variety of artists such as Little Brother, Slum Village, Platinum Pied Pipers, Kev Brown, Asheru, Finale and many others. In 2004 he teamed with producer Waajeed of the Platinum Pied Pipers to play keys on PPP's lead 12" single "Stay With Me" featuring vocalist Tiombe Lockhart. He also laced PPP's "No Worries" (ft. Steve Spacek) with grand piano licks. Both songs appear on the Pipers' album Triple P. In 2005, Zo! went on to produce the "Feel My Love" single including the remix for California-based vocalist Havana...that 12" was released in 2006. In March of 2006, the ...just visiting EP was released. This vinyl-only album contains six tracks of remade classics, including "Caught Up In the Rapture", "Free," and "Star of the Story".
One can catch Zo! rocking the keyboards with the incredible Gorilla Funk Mob for whom he has been a member since September of 2003....Or the DC band - The ELs.
At the end of last year, Zo! completed the production work for yet another instrumental album entitled Freelance. This 15-track creative spectrum of music was released in December of 2006. He has since done work with Phonte of Little Brother which lead to production work on the upcoming Foreign ExchangeLeave It All Behind album along with LB's Getback release. He and Phonte released their ode to 80's music entitled Zo! and Tigallo Love the 80's! on July 22nd of this year.
Zo! has teamed up to create a collaborative album with Detroit emcee Asylum 7 entitled Overdue Process, is scheduled to arrive at the tail end of 2008.
Upcoming Projects 1. Asylum 7Overdue Process (Arriving late 2008) 2. ...just visiting too (2009) 3. Untitled Solo Project (Arriving in 2009)
Other Credits "Quitters" Prophetix (Prod., 2002) "Jackin' For Breaks I and II" (Prod., 2002) "Going Out" (12") Rubix ft. Jonz (Prod., 2002) "The Way You Are" Decompoze of Subterraneous ft. Madeline Davis (Keys, 2003) "Angel" Illite of Subterraneous (Keys, 2003) "Worship Joint" R-Swift (Prod., 2003) "Balm of Gilead" Athletic Mic League (Prod., 2003) "Closer" Slum Village(Uncredited) (Keys, 2003) "I.A.M. (It's A Movement)" Finalé (Prod. 2003) "Strong Black Rebel Rap" Jon Doe ft. J. Sands (Keys, 2003) "Seasons Change" Na2 (Prod., 2004) "Conversations With God" Na2 (Prod., 2004) "Promised Land" Athletic Mic League (Keys 2004) "93 Million Miles" S.U.N. (Prod., 2004) "Life is in Motion" (12") S.U.N. (Prod., 2004) "Listen Up" Asylum 7 (Prod., 2004) Untitled...Nick Speed (Guitar, 2004) "If He Knew" 87 ft. L'Renee (Prod. 2004) "Stay With Me" Platinum Pied Pipers ft. Tiombe Lockhart (Keys, 2004) "No Worries" Platinum Pied Pipers ft. Spacek (Keys, 2004) "Whatever You Say" Remix appears on DJ Graffiti's "Best of Vibe Radio Vol. 1" (2005) "Rocketship" Remix appears on OneBeLo's "S.T.I.L.L.B.O.R.N." Mix CD (2005) "Love Games" Tony Ozier ft. June Marie (Prod. 2005) "Prelude To..." and "Feel My Love" (12") Havana (Prod. 2005) "Soul Train" Finalé (Prod. 2005) "Sure Shot" DeLoach (Prod. 2005) "Observe Remix" Asylum 7 (Prod. 2005) "Fantasy Remix" Tiffany Paige ft. K-Hill (Prod. 2005) "Dreamwalk" and "If U Only Knew" Tiffany Paige (Prod. 2005) "Easy To Love U" (Musical Architect Remix) Chamade Beat (France) (Prod. 2005) "Limitless" Jax (of Binkis Recs.) (Prod. 2005) "Feel My Love" (Musical Architect Remix) Havana (vocalist from CA) (Prod. 2005) "I'm Sayin'" Now On ft. Ty (of Ty & Kory) (Prod. 2005) "Felt This Way" Neco Redd (Prod. 2006) "Chills" Hot Sauce (Prod. 2006) "Listenin' To Love Makin'..." Choklate (Prod. 2006) "Creep Show"Finalé (Prod. 2006) "The Reign" Magestik Legend (Keys 2007) "For U" Buff1 (Keys 2007) "Ambiance"Completion (Prod. 2007) "Sun Shines Again" Tony Ozier (Prod. 2007) "Simile"Median (Prod. 2007) "Please Stand By" (UK Bonus Track)Little Brother (Prod. 2007) "When Everything Is New"Little Brother (Prod. 2007) "Lord Help Me" Kev Brown (Keys, 2008) "Lady Killer" Cool Cee Brown (Keys and Organ, 2008) "Searching" Illite (Keys, 2008) "Chocolate" Big Tone ft. L'Renee (Keys, 2008) "The Look" Big Tone ft. Ta'Raach (Keys, 2008) "Man Up" Buff1 (Co-Prod., Keys, Bass & Guitar, 2008) "If She Breaks Your Heart (Pt. 1)" Foreign Exchange ft. Yahzarah (Prod. 2008)
..."Freelance" is also available on iTunes 1. Yooou (ft. Tiffany Paige) • 2. I-94 East • 3. Snare Junction 2.0 • 4. Welcome Home (Pts. I and II) • 5. Before Day • 6. Coffee Mist • 7. Rudiment • 8. Time Table • 9. Overnight Experience (Pts. I and II) • 10. The Watch • 11. Free Weighted (Interlude) • 12. Detroit District (Pts. I and II) • 13. Ante Meridian (A.M.) (Pts. I and II) • 14. SwingTime • 15. Inertia (ft. Tiffany Paige)
Zo I love all your music brother, the "Nights Over Egypt" joint is amazing. I just touched a Eric Gale Album and its a joint on there that reminds me of you..when I chop it up, rearrange and bang it..Ill let you peep it..may God continue to bless you brother. You are hip hop and jazz..Im jazz and hip hop..Im learning the bass guitar..cats better keep they socks up...ha ha..the midwest baby Cleveland to Detroit sharing the same lakes/in different states..Peace!
Hello Zo! I've gone to your page so many times and I must say I can't get enough of your music. You're a TRUE musical extraordinaire-SO MUCH talent! Please continue to spread GOOD music to the world!
Thank you so much for your kind words; it really means a lot to me. Take care of yourself. God bless you.
Love and light, Tracy Cruz
Buy my new album "Feel'osophy" at www.tracycruz.com
