Written by Elise Olmstead
Seeking something a little bit different than the usual jams? Wanyama has a little bit everything to get you shaken up, and their album “+1” is a refreshing stomp through genres such as funk, hip hop, rock ‘n’ roll, and jam. They will be celebrating their album release at Jungle Boogie March 24 at Beachland Ballroom.
The album starts you off with a distinct taste of the flavor savor itself, a sexy saxophone scream, followed by some hip-hop lyrics and a rock ‘n’ roll chorus. “Slim’s Night” is a tongue-in-cheek rock ‘n’ roll jaunt clocking in at a modest 54 seconds, then things get serious in “Sjambo” with some blistering electric guitar and even more sax. The guitar player really gets to shine in this tune, and keeps on shining through to the next song “Ole Wesley,” featuring some fire solos and clever rhymes that get you bouncing. “Missing the Point” has a reggae feel, and “Mishala” is instrumental, allowing you to really hear and appreciate the musicianship of the band’s members. “Joe Byedin” is focused more on the hip-hop lyrics calling for political activism. The closing track “Doom” is a more laid back tune that sends us off with a smile.
Wanyama has a personal and approachable style that doesn’t take itself seriously, exploring any genre it feels appropriate at the moment, but definitely has its shining moments in both jammy solos and hip hop beats. The high-energy music shows no signs of slowing down and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Wanyama in the future. More information about the band can be found on their website.
