Keyboardist and producer Lorenzo “Zo!” Ferguson may not be a household name but he’s been quietly amassing a strong list of credentials, particularly in the world of hip-hop, in D.C. and beyond. He’s contributed his talents to projects by Slum Village, Little Brother, and Kev Brown as well as released nine solo projects.

A native of metropolitan Detroit and former collegiate baseball player, Zo! was an integral part of the music scene there until he relocated to D.C. in 2006. In a cruel episode of coincidence, the day he left was also the day another key member of the Detroit music community, renowned producer J Dilla, passed away. Despite the locale change, he’s stayed involved with artists in Michigan as well as those in Washington, including his band, The ELs.

His latest endeavor, Zo! and Tigallo Love The ’80s, has him teaming up with Phonte (a.k.a. Tigallo) of Little Brother for an EP of 1980s pop tune covers. Included on the album are “I’m Only Human”, “Something About You”, and a few other Reagan era gems. Not only is it a fun trip down memory lane with Phonte on vocals and Zo! providing the instrumentation, it’s also confirmation that you aren’t crazy when you sing along to “Africa”.

Visit Zo! online at: http://www.myspace.com/zo or http://www.musicalarchitect.com/

Find his music at: Fat Beats for the limited edition release of Love The ’80s, iTunes, or his Musical Architect web site.

See him next at: His 30th Birthday Party with Phonte at Liv on September 13. He’ll be with The ELs as they perform live at the Black Luv Festival in D.C. on September 21. Also, he’ll be performing with Phonte during a special show at Busboys and Poets’ D.C. location on September 22.