The Roots Organ Trio unveils its first music video!

With The Roots Organ Trio, organist Sylvain Lansardière (Touch Of Groove) takes on a long-standing challenge: putting the Hammond organ at the center of the game, an approach reminiscent of Raphael Wressnig, whom we talked about a few weeks ago. Surrounded by Arnaud Froment on drums and Sylvain Laforge on guitar, he delivers a first EP, Let the Groove Feel Good, to be released on September 26, 2025, and unveils the first music video exclusively on Blues Actu. We met Sylvain, the originator of this project, who tells us all about its genesis.

🎥 Discover the music video premiere

🎤 The Interview

Hello Sylvain! So, wasn’t Touch of Groove enough for you that you had to start a new project?

Hello Cédric! Ha ha, when you put it that way, it does sound a bit crazy! But is there really reason in passion? More seriously, it’s an old dream I’ve carried for a long time. I’m a trained organist, and not on the church organ… but on the Hammond organ, the one of Jimmy Smith, Booker T. & The MG’s, The Meters, or even Deep Purple, of which I’m a fan.

I’ve had the chance to play (and still play) organ in plenty of blues, rock, or soul bands, like Touch Of Groove, but often as accompaniment. Yet, the Hammond is a complete instrument: melody, rhythm, bass, and a unique lead sound. After years circling this idea, I had to take the plunge.

So tell us, how was The Roots Organ Trio born?

In 2017, I was able to buy a Hammond XK-5 organ with its extension keyboard and a DIY bass pedalboard. It gave me back the feeling of my beginnings, but very quickly, I wanted to share that with other musicians. And the organ/guitar/drums combo is just magical.

Improvised jams convinced me there was something to dig into. I started composing, brought along a guitarist friend, then Arnaud Froment, just back from abroad, joined us on drums. After a few lineup changes, the arrival of Sylvain Laforge was the real trigger. That’s when everything clicked: the soul of the organ, blues-rock guitar, and funky drums… our identity was born.

Can you introduce your bandmates and how you met them?

I’ve known Arnaud since 2015. We played together in a soul and rhythm’n’blues cover band. He’s an inventive, solid drummer and a great buddy. He’s touched many styles, from jazz big band to rock, and always brings huge creative energy.

I met Sylvain Laforge in 2022, during a Touch Of Groove concert. He was playing with his band Lux the Band, and we shared a memorable “My Babe” on stage. His playing blew me away, between groove and solo flair. When we looked for a guitarist, he was the obvious choice. Besides Lux the Band, he plays with artists like Kaz Hawkins and even accompanied Catherine Ringer from Les Rita Mitsouko. Beyond being a talented musician, he’s a truly great guy, and that matters a lot.

This is an instrumental project, why this choice? To highlight the instruments more?

Actually, it came naturally. I was mainly looking for a very specific band sound: organ, guitar, and drums answering each other, with melodic lines carried alternately by one and the other. And I wanted to “make the Hammond organ sing,” giving it the place it deserves. Since I’m not a lead singer, I didn’t even consider adding a voice at first. After that, nothing is set in stone… but this instrumental formula suits us perfectly.

The EP Let the Groove Feel Good comes out September 26, 2025. Can you tell us about the first 3 tracks?

The Secret Agent Woman is the first track I composed for the trio. I hear a little nod to 60’s/70’s spy movie soundtracks, with that vintage vibe I love, but played with our energy of today.

Can’t Hide Love is our little treat. A cover of Earth, Wind & Fire, rearranged our way. We love playing it: it’s sensual, groovy, and as Arnaud says, “groovy marshmallow.”
Let the Groove Feel Good is the second original track on the EP. We dive into a funky rock groove, very energetic. Guitar and drums drive an effervescent rhythm, and the organ lays down a funky melody.

And I wasn’t going to forget the last track of the EP, a cover of Billie Jean! That’s a surprising choice!

It was almost an accident! In rehearsal, Sylvain started fooling around with the Billie Jean bass riff on guitar, Arnaud jumped in on drums, and I tried to cobble together the bassline on organ… but something happened. We said: “OK, there’s something here.”
I seriously worked out the left-hand and pedalboard bass, figured out a way to adapt the melody to the organ, and the next time we really played it. The magic worked. And with a guitar solo from Sylvain that floored us all, it was settled: the track had to be part of the EP.

A huge thank you to you Cédric and to Blues Actu for supporting a slightly unusual project like ours. We can’t wait to share this music with the audience!