On paper, it would seem as if the duo were complete opposites: one from Malawi, the other from Sweden, the former one-half of the electronic band Radioclit and the latter specializing in the traditional music of Southeast Africa. Yet when Johan Karlberg and Esau Mwamwaya became The Very Best (who visit the Majestic Theatre on Thursday, August 16), they synchronized like Olympian swimmers. Perhaps it is because Johan and Esau do not see themselves as opposites of one another or trailblazers of the Afro-Western genre; instead the two simply see themselves as a couple of guys who love making music and enjoy performing it even more. Their latest album, MTMTMK, was in the words of Johan, “made to be played live” but the enthusiasm put into the record still shines brightly no matter what medium it’s played through.
MTMTMK still has the tribal vibe that made The Very Best’s first album, Warm Heart of Africa, such an outlier (and quite popular) from typical current music, yet it has evolved. MTMTMK keeps the fun tempos and organic melodies but distributes them from a more electronic source. The Very Best does not have a sound (besides Esau Mwamwaya’s unique vocals, although those often vary as well) that makes them instantly recognizable and this is a good trait. Their music, genre, even language is constantly changing from not only album-to-album but song-to-song. It means there is a little something for everybody. This is made possible in large part because of the numerous and diverse guest artists featured on albums from The Very Best. MTMTMK features Seye (who will be performing when the band comes here to the Majestic), K’naan, and other talent. The Very Best has also collaborated in the past with the likes of Vampire Weekend, M.I.A., and The Ruby Suns.
The Very Best does stay the same, however, in one highly important way no matter what song: every track has an extremely positive aura about it. It is quite a feat to listen to something by The Very Best without wearing a smile or doing a dance that makes others shake their head and grin. Their live shows are the epitome of positivity. It’s almost as if the audience and performers are playing a ping-pong match, bouncing off a ball of happiness back and forth to each other. The Very Best wants their audience to have the same amount of fun listening and watching as they have by performing, which is a whole, whole lot.