Max Wild - Tamba is a journey to the roots of music drawing on the influences of the African rhythms and specifically the Zimbabwe beat and their effect on rock-n-roll and jazz. Tamba is an innovative, creative, and refreshing blend of styles and influences with danceable undertones. 

Max Wild - Tamba                    

Tamba: Kwatinobva; Tinomutenda; Tamba; Rudo Rwako; Kuvakidzana; In Your World; Odun De; Ndakuvara; Butterfly; Voice            

Personnel: Max Wild: Alto Saxophone, Recorders (6); Sam Mtukudzi: Lead Vocals (1, 2, 7, 8, 10), Backing Vocals (1, 2, 5, 7), Acoustic Guitar (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10), Percussion (1, 2, 4, 8, 9); Chiwoniso: Lead Vocals (1,5), Backing Vocals (1,5); Alicia Olatuja: Lead Vocals (7), Backing Vocals (5, 7, 8, 10), Voices (6); Soren Moller: Piano, Keyboards; Jesse Lewis: Lead Guitar; Michael Olatuja: Electric Bass (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10); Massimo Biolcati: Acoustic Guitar (3, 6, 9); Obed Calvaire: Drums, Udu (7); Sam Felo: Backing Vocals (2, 4, 5, 8, 10), Percussion (1, 2, 4, 8, 9); Chris Berry: Mbira and Congas (5)                

Max Wild - Tamba was produced by Michele Locatelli and released on the ObliqSound label. Tamba, Max Wild's debut release on the ObliqSound label, is influenced from his time in Zimbabwe as a youth melded with a jazz, rock, and funk sound. The African rhythms have influenced music around the world and with this in mind, Max wanted to take the distinct driving African rhythmic beat in a different direction while letting his global musical influences be his muse for the sound on Tamba. 

The opening track Kwatinobva, which means, "where we come from," is a boisterous groove that shows Max has not lost his Zimbabwe African music influence as he layers in captivating jazz riffs over the energetic bass line. The vocals, song in Shona, are engaging and ring in step with the melody. The track Tinomutenda opens with a distinct funk sound bonding the keyboards and a funky bass line and a pulsating saxophone that complements the vocals as they swagger through this track.

The title track Tamba, which means "to dance or to play," is an extended play track running nearly nine-minutes that highlights all of Max's influences with distinct segments reflecting the Zimbabwe beat, rock-n-roll, and jazz, which are blended in a fitting crescendo. From a historical perspective, this is an interesting track that shows how the influence of the African rhythms were a building block to rock-n-roll and jazz; Max shows that music is not independent, it is intertwined.

The track Rudo Rwako has a jazz and rock beat that echoes the rhythmic cadence of the vocals and is a wonderful platform for Max's superb saxophone work. Kuvakidzana is a blend of reggae and Zimbabwe creating a unique and exhilarating groove. The track In Your World takes a different direction working in rich vocal harmonies that accent the jazz riff created by the saxophone, drums, and guitar. 

Other tracks include Odun De that opens with a ballad melody and flows into poignant vocals layered on an elegant arrangement that will send tingles up and down your spine; Ndakuvara is a down and dirty funky beat centered and driven by the duet of drums and bass complemented by some sassy saxophone work and catchy vocals; and Butterfly a classic jazz beat featuring Max on saxophone. The release closes with the track Voice, a brazen improvisational jazz beat that allows the band to flex their individual influences in an imaginative collaboration.                 

Websites where you can procure Max Wild - Tamba are Best Buy, Amazon, CD Universe, Dusty Grove, and Tower Records.    

© July 2010. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.