Strange Heat

Wanubalé – nine guys from Berlin, inspired by the city's fresh Jazz scene and distinct club culture. This band sets out to define their own, highly danceable version of Jazz, Neo Soul and Funk.

Wanubalé met at school. Five of the nine in the band went to the same musical high school in Berlin. There, in a dark basement jam-packed with equipment, Philip Schilz and Heinrich Eiszmann met for whole afternoons to built unique sound castles made up of bass drums, snares and everything else they were able to get their hands on. Thus, the two drummers built the foundation for the ultra-danceable grooves that define Wanubalé.
Heavy influences from Jazz, Neo Soul and Funk shape their compositions. However, electronic sounds are just as important to Wanubalé. All of the nine are in their early twenties. All of them grew up around the vibrant club culture of Germany's capital. All of them are into Dub, Bass Music and Broken Beats. And several members are DJs, as well. Philip remembers one of many long nights: "Everyone around us was dancing. We were in the midst of it, analyzing why and how the beats work."

The Wanubalés are first rate musicians. They tend to take their time writing arrangements, yet they are careful not to overly emphasize their jazz skills. Songwriting is a collaborative affair, everything is developed organically. Just like the band name, which dates back to the days of fooling around in the schoolyard, playing with syllables ("nuba" came first). Sound was crucial. Some say "Wanubalé" means "brother" in Swahili.

Wanubalé's instrumental debut album was recorded by Axel Reinemer in Berlin's Jazzanova Studio in 2018. The musicians don't hide their influences: Snarky Puppy, Fat Freddy's Drop, plus younger acts like Hiatus Kaiyote and Nubiyan Twist. But Wanubalé do their own thing, having produced and arranged the album. Wanubalé: four horns, two drummers, guitar, bass, keyboards. Nine musicians with a knack for funky breaks, might brass sounds and great melodies.