Cookin' On 3 Burners are an Australian funk and soul trio formed in Melbourne in 1997 by Jake Mason on Hammond organ, Lance Ferguson on guitar and Ivan Khatchoyan on drums. The three musicians shared an interest in the jazz, soul and funk records of the 1950s and 1960s, developing a sound centred on Hammond organ, deep funk, raw soul, organ jazz and boogaloo.
The group released their first album, Steamed Up, in 2000, followed by their first 7-inch single, “Gravel Rash / Pie Warmer,” on Bamboo Shack Records in 2002. Their early recordings established them within the international deep-funk and DJ scene, with the trio concentrating primarily on instrumental music.
Their first album for Freestyle Records, Baked, Broiled & Fried, appeared in 2007 and included guest vocal performances from Kylie Auldist and Fallon Williams. The album also featured their Hammond-led interpretation of Gorillaz' “Feel Good Inc.”, which became popular within the b-boy community.
The band established their own Soul Messin' Records imprint and continued releasing a mixture of albums and 7-inch singles. Their catalogue includes Soul Messin' (2009), Blind Bet (2011), Brunswick St. Breakdown and later releases including The World Is Cold / Ms. Fat Booty.
One of their most significant recordings was “This Girl,” originally released on Soul Messin' in 2009 with Kylie Auldist on vocals. In 2016, French producer Kungs remixed the track, turning it into an international hit. The remix reached number one in several countries, reached number two in the UK, and became the most Shazamed dance track of 2016. The original songwriters — Mason, Khatchoyan and Ferguson — were subsequently recognised by APRA AMCOS for surpassing one billion streams.
Lance Ferguson left the group in 2013, with Dan West subsequently taking over guitar duties. Ferguson's departure also reflects the close connection between Cookin' On 3 Burners and The Bamboos, of which he is a founding member.
Cookin' On 3 Burners have continued to combine Hammond-led funk, soul, jazz and boogaloo with a strong 7-inch culture. Their extensive catalogue and collaborations with vocalists including Kylie Auldist, alongside their connection to Melbourne's modern funk and soul scene, have made them an important Australian contribution to the contemporary funk revival.
