Music
Press
Harambe is a Modern Soul Band with a touch of Jazz flavour. Having tastefully digested the Influence of past American R&B/Funk greats, they have, as you would expect from the UK, expressed themselves with eclectic taste. This is their Second CD, however this is the first with the current line up.
Live instruments are preferred and with the addition of a horn section and female vocals, the sound of the band is colourful and quite excellent.
This CD has all the classic lyric lines plus the song forms from the likes of P FUNK,( some tunes have Eddie Hazel type Rock guitar) Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Prince,etc.. Their influence is found in their well crafted song writing and it also gives listeners impression of Pop and Mellow.
There is a song which reminds me of Jamiroquai and there is even a Drum&Bass type tune as well, and yet, I repeat again, the song writing and arrangements are very clever. - Black Music Review (Japan)
Discography
Singles:
World Turning (On The Run Records) - 2003
Demons (White Elephant Recordings) - 2006
EPs:
Ground Zero (On The Run Records) - 2002
World Turning EP (On The Run Records) - 2003
EP01 (compilation) (Soul Unsigned/Solar Radio) - 2008
LPs:
Roots (White Elephant Recordings/Universal) - 2003
Uncut Vol.1 (Peacework) - 2004
Uncut Vol.2 (Peacework) - 2004
Uncut Vol.3 (Peacework) - 2005
Testify (White Elephant Recordings) - 2007
Testify (Japanese edition) (CCRE Music) - 2007
Photos
Bio
Exploding onto the UK music scene in 2002, Harambé began life as a loose affiliation of musicians centred around founder member and bassist Karl Clews. Their early self-funded releases displayed a wide range of influences, from the classic 70s soul of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and the jazz of Miles and Herbie, through the New Orleans funk of the Meters, to Prince, 80s Britfunk and 90s acid-jazz.
In 2003 the band released their debut album, “Roots”, through Universal, to critical acclaim: where earlier efforts gave the impression of accomplished musicians showing off their chops, this album focussed those performances into accessible and funky soul songs, and spawned the underground hit, “World Turning”.
The two years following the release of “Roots” saw the band touring the UK and landing prestigious support slots with visiting artists such as Keziah Jones and home-grown soul talent including David McAlmont and the Brand New Heavies, and in 2005 the band toured Spain as support act for top selling Spanish chart act, Los Secretos.
Much of 2006 was spent recording the follow-up to “Roots”, 2007’s “Testify”. A ripple of personnel changes has brought further progression to the band’s sound: Andre St Clair Dyer’s smooth and seductive multilayered delivery bring a new sophistication to the vocals; Milt Mavrakakis’ hyperactive Hammond and clavinet lines add flavours of P-Funk and the New Orleans piano greats to the sound; Tony Pereyra’s virtuoso rock sensibilities on the guitar bring new grit, power and urgency to the songs; and drummer Timur Djahit’s loose-limbed, infectious rhythms are the perfect foil to mainstay Karl Clews’ percussive, percolating funk basslines.
And yet, as with any great soul band, it is in live performance where the band really come into their own, and Harambé have been wowing crowds across the UK, at venues including the Jazz Café, The Rock Garden, the LA2 and Ronnie Scott’s, with their showmanship, presence and the sheer energy of their stage show.
Some quotes from the press:
‘Fun, danceable, and kicks Jamiroquai into the gutter’ – Jazzwise magazine
‘A refreshing blend of deep jazz and funky chords, perfectly complemented by smooth, soothing voices’ – Muzik magazine
‘Quality UK black music, performed with pure love and devotion’ – DJ magazine
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