Welcome to the official Larry Maluma website. 100% roots reggae.

REVIEWS

Tusekelele Let’s Celebrate
Safari Music
Independent

Although this is far from his first release, Zambian-born Larry Maluma has largely gone under the mainstream radar thus far, which could change in an instant thanks to Tusekelele.

Taking a progressive approach to deep funk, roots and reggae (in much the same way as Set-era Youssou N’Dour, though with far greater dub overtones) Maluma has taken various complementary styles and rolled them into one – wrapping all of the tones and textures around what are essentially great pop songs. And, like Uganda’s Geoffrey Oryema, Maluma shakes things up further by singing in a variety of languages, adding to the grandness of the record’s overall feel.

Maluma’s rich voice has the necessary qualities to navigate reggae’s ups and downs, and although there’s the obvious nod to Bob Marley (the horns in Samba are melodically identical to those in Iron, Lion, Zion for instance), Maluma can flirt with the deep guttural lows of Prince Far I as well as he can smash those sweet Oryema-like highs… always making the right choice for the song at hand.

Mostly up-beat, but as politically concerned as it is celebratory; Tusekelele feels like a lot of thought went into it. The many layers of percussion don’t derail the solid flow of the songs, nor does Maluma sit back and coast on the wake of his horn section, as many vocalists of this style tend to.

For these and many other reasons, Tusekelele is one of the most impressive albums of 2009, and definitely one of the most bombastic albums to be associated with African music, of the last few years at least.

Awesome stuff from start to finish.

MIKE WAFER
X-Press Magazine

Makani angu
(My story)
(Independent)
Larry Maluma is a quiet achiever who, since migrating to Australia from Zambia in 1986, has gone about establishing himself as one of the very few African - Australian reggae recording artists. A chart-topper in his native land, Larry has established a firm following in his adopted country via his previous eight releases - which include Hallelujah, Man and woman, Nuff is enough, Motion, Roots and Herbs and his most recent compilation, A good cause.
After a break from work in the studio, Larry has put together Makani angu (My story), which employs a wide range of musicians and is an instantly likeable compilation full of vibrant energy. Featuring trippy rhythms, tribal beats with a deluge of percussion and an irresistible energy, Makani angu sees Maluma creating reggae music with several twists. Singing in combinations of English and Zambian languages - Tonga, Nyanja and Bemba - Maluma pieces together his individualistic strain of roots music. Focusing on themes of racial harmony, equality and social cohesion, Makani angu is accessible but always willing to take the listener by surprise. Whilst some of the tracks seem to employ simplistic lyrics - take for example No Parking, a song which centres on a person's discontent over a particular vigilant parking inspector - each song is very much a statement. Whether the tracks are exploring night-time loneliness (Sleepless) or the terrible pressure placed upon darker women to appear like European (Ma Ambi), Maluma is a songwriter who doesn't waste words or indulge in shallow sentiments. Indeed the album is infused with a healthy political vibe, with tracks such as Every Bank Is A Prison speaking out in no uncertain terms against the encroachment of capitalist society. It is an album too of African solidarity and affirmation, with songs such as African Dream painting pictures of the African landscape, culture and people.
This is an eminently enjoyable album that is well-produced and displays some true musicianship. Maluma is definitely an artist to be supported.
Sarah Norman
Beat Magazine 30/03/05

"Roots & Herbs"
Larry Maluma
(Safari) ****
As with his previous six efforts since Confusion (1987), Melbourne-based Zambian musician Larry Maluma keeps it lyrically terse and musically rich. This is chunky roots-rock reggae spiced with his floating blues rock guitar over deliberate, beefy rhythms that include Nicky Bomba's seductive one-drop drumming. Nothing could be more laconic than the mid-paced Come With Me, yet its spacious, free flowing excitement bubbles along in an addictively happy-go-lucky atmosphere. Maluma might intermittently make feel-good music, but that doesn't mean it's devoid of a philosophical stance. The "I-am-what-I-am" title track is suggestive of his beliefs. On the preachy Junk Food, this contemporary African herbsman berates bad diet over a delightfully tight reggae cadence, while the impeccable backing voices of Angela Lybrandy and Annette Roche join in a trance-like call-and-response with Maluma.

Terry Reilly -
From The Age EG, Friday October 6, 2000

LARRY MALUMA
Roots & Herbs (Safari Music)
Liistening to this I'm surprised that Larry Maluma isn't more well-known. He's a charismatic performer with a voice to match any international reggae star. I guess it's an example at how blinded Australian audiences are to exotic sounds. Maluma's sound is hardcore roots as the basslines slither around the chucking guitars and percussion. The lyrics have the same directness and simplicity of reggae's 1970's golden age. The title track has the feel at Rita Marley's One Drraw' or the Mighty Diamonds' 'Pass The Kutchie. I presume it's a smoking anthem, although you never know. The horn lines herald a different state of mind as they ascend and descend through the mix. 'Nitandizindi (Help Me)' is moreaggressive- recalling the Exodus-era Wailers with its tense wah-wah guitar but moves from a fast-paced verse to a more plaintive chorus. The horns croon as Maluma wails like Peter Tosh over the top. 'Stick Together' is almost jail funk with it's trumpet intro and it's James Brown-like bassline. 'Alma Boora (She/He Is a liar)' is pure African township jive with more melody and chord changes than the straight reggae. 'You Want To Dance' is simple lyrically that it almost sounds corny but the tune is so infectious that in the mix the overall effect is very powerful.

DAVID TRETHEWIE - Beat Magazine, August 2000.

More on Roots & Herbs...
"Definitely one of the most professional Australian Reggae Release of all Time"
Jessie I. 3PBSfm

"He's a charismatic performer with a voice to match any International Reggae star."
David Trethewie. Beat Magazine.

"Absolutely Hotter Than Ever"
Jasper Hall. Triple J.

"An album full of surprises - and not just a Reggae album."
Sam g - 3RRR

"Hallelujah"
Larry Maluma and Kalimba
Roots reggae with a difference

If you like African roots reggae with a bit of funk and soul influence, Larry Maluma and Kalimba is the band to see. On July 17, at the Central Club in Richmond, Maluma and his band got the crowd grooving at the launch of the “Le Man” video clip, from their latest album, Hallelujah.
Larry, originally from Zambia, has been in Australia for seven years. In Australia he formed Kalimba, naming the band after a traditional African ceremonial instrument. During this time he has worked with musicians from a variety of cultural backgrounds, adopting styles which he has used to blend his own brand of roots music.

Hallelujah was produced partly in Australia and partly in Zambia. The trip back to his homeland was a great source of inspiration for this musician. Many of the songs were written about traditional African culture and values; they are sung in a combination of English, Bemba and Nyanja.

The resulting unique sound has put his albums at the top of the charts Zambia.

Many of the songs on Hallelujah have a strong moral flavour, stressing the importance of family and traditional values; for instance, “Kalindawalo” has the message that material wealth and a powerful social position mean very little if you don't have the support of a large and loving family.

Larry Maluma and Kalimba are preparing for a national tour with dates to be announced soon. The combination of musical styles is dynamite. If you like African and reggae music and enjoy an energetic night of dancing (or even listening), you will definitely enjoy the sensual music of Larry Maluma and Kalimba.

Reviewed by Loretta Asquini and Katrina Newton