(Ethnic Jazz, Afro-beat, Funk, ObliqSound) Max Wild (w/ Massimo Biolcati, Michael Olatuja, Sam Mtukudzi, Chiwonisa, Alicia Olatuja ect.) - Tamba - 2010, MP3, 192 kbps

Alto saxophonist Max Wild has not so much hit on a formulaic brand of Afro-beat songs as he is exploring different ways to phrase them. Hovering on the edge without teetering over the brink, Wild's angular and tart sweet horn is the foundation for his bandmates to scurry around, combining contemporary jazz with village tribal and joy-filled dance music not too far removed from Nigerian highlife -- think King Sunny Ade meets a subdued Dudu Pukwana. Vocals of Sam Mtukudzi dominate most of the songs, and he's quite effusive in delivering an African message of salvation, emancipation, and exuberance. Though not the only vocal source, Mtukudzi is joined by Chiwoniso and Alicia Olatuja on select tracks, and the ladies lead on select tracks. Keyboardist Soren Moller is also a distinct force, as is guitarist Jesse Lewis on the rhythmic and melodic end of things. The angular funk of "Kwatinobva" sets a tone for the rest of the program, steeped in typical guitar/horn-based call and response with the singers, while polyrhythms feed the fire of "Kuvakidzana" with a mbira/thumb piano component. There's straight, beat-oriented music, some pop-styled tunes, spiritual material, and even a few lyrics sung in English. Closest to home, wood whistles or a recorder employed by Wild identifies "In Your World," a pretty piece featuring layers of sound and a somewhat minimalist approach. Help from ObliqSound stablemate bassists Michael Olatuja (electric) and Massimo Biolcati (upright acoustic) keep the music anchored in a rhythm & blues base, solidly rooted in Afro-centric trans-continentalism. Wild's distinctive sax is certainly the straw that stirs this potentate, a session loaded to the brim with good feelings and a whole lot of fun. -- All Music Guide - Review by Michael G. Nastos

There's a very good reason why Max Wild's debut release for ObliqSound is called Tamba. In Shona - the predominant language spoken in Zimbabwe, where Wild spent his youth - Tamba means "dance," and it's virtually impossible to be within listening distance of this music and not comply. The relentlessly exhilarating Tamba, which releases June 29 on ObliqSound, blurs the lines between jazz, funk and the indigenous African sounds Max Wild began absorbing even before he first picked up a saxophone at the age of 12. Surrounding himself with an intercontinental cast of characters, Wild fuses the rhythmic and melodic traditions of southern Africa with the sophisticated harmonies and inspired interactivity at the core of contemporary jazz. Tamba is an ecstatic, intensely kinetic celebration that bridges cultural and stylistic divides while keeping feet on the move.
For all of the joy within its grooves, however, Tamba's arrival is bittersweet. Max's chief collaborator on the recording, brilliant young vocalist and guitarist Sam Mtukudzi, the son of Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi, passed away in a car accident in March of this year at the age of 21. Sam's prominence on Tamba, instead of providing a wider introduction to his gifts, stands as a coda to a life and career cut short much too soon.
Sam Mtukudzi's presence permeates Tamba, which also features guest vocals from Zimbabwean vocalist and mbira star Chiwoniso, and Alicia Olatuja, whose husband Michael Olatuja provides the electric bass on the recording. It was, in fact, Wild's desire to record with Sam Mtukudzi that gave him the initial impetus to take Tamba in the direction he ultimately did.

Max Wild: alto saxophone, recorders;
Sam Mtukudzi: lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion;
Chiwonisa: lead vocals, backing vocals;
Alicia Olatuja: lead vocals, backing vocals, voices;
Soren Moller: piano, keyboards;
Jesse Lewis: lead guitar;
Michael Olatuja: electric bass;
Massimo Biolcati: acoustic bass;
Obed Calvaire: drums, udu;
Sam Felo: backing vocals, percussion;
Chris Berry: mbira, congas.