The sonic journey of “Optirhythm” is radiating spirit through constant melody.
If you know the previous solo projects and collaborations I’ve produced, you understand everything I do is “music first”. The continual unfolding of life versus who I am has brought a colorful, off retail pallete. No matter the surroundings, I gravitate towards soulful artists with their own irreplaceable fingerprint. The heroes found here best deliver the intention of this song cycle.
The conception of “Optirhythm” is twofold. 1) All the material was written within 10 days during Summer 2020, therefore decisions and early performances were kept in order to uphold their inspiration. 2) The only exception, “WakaWaka”, was a nearly finished idea from several years ago. It unknowingly forecasted this set of music, particularly “Hedgetopia”. It’s inclusion is a perfect playlist partnership.
CW 9-1-2020
credits
released September 4, 2020
Optirhythm
Chris Wabich - Drums, Riq, Carcabas, Keyboards, Steel Pan, Vocals
Lyman Medeiros - Upright Bass
Bahadir Sener - Kanun
Katisse Buckingham - Flute, Alto Flutes
Sarah Lessire - Vocals
Lullaby
Chris Wabich - Drums, Percussion, Rhodes, Vocals
Jerry Watts - Bass
Will Brahm - Guitar
Alex Acuna - Congas
Axess
Chris Wabich - Drums, Additional Keys
Jerry Watts - Bass
Michael Bluestein - Rhodes
Will Brahm - Guitar
Chris Wabich Plays Cadeson Drums, Turkish Cymbals - Wabich “Travel” Series, Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets, Remo Drum Heads, Tycoon Percussion.
Special Thanks: Coco, Lily, and Shu at Cadeson, Semaya at Turkish, Bruce Jacoby at Remo, George Barrett at Innovative, Ivy and Steve at Tycoon, Ed Sanders, Leslie Chew, Ofer Ziv, Omar, Murat, and Suzan Tekbilek, Amy Honbo, Rich Mangicaro, Valeska Thomas, Pat Teague, Robin Russell Wabich. “Mazurka” is for my dad John Wabich
A diverse, confident mixtape that draws connections between afrobeat jazz, hip-hop, and more, abetted by a host of talented vocalists. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 21, 2024