Mpemba Effect is the latest groove machine in the African Cream Music stable. Ambient Afrique is Mpemba Effect’s debut album, with a fresh sound to go with their quirkily selected name.

It’s a fitting name for an outfit that combines an African sound with the very latest in modern urban grooves produced with the latest studio technology.

The young studio warriors that make up Mpemba Effect are two talented South African producers, Gavan Eckhart and Garrick van der Tuin. Having cut their teeth as engineers at the famed Digital Cupboard studio under the tutelage of SAMA award winning producer Ian Osrin. They describe their Mpemba Effect project as “faith in contradiction”, perfectly reflecting the contradictory nature of this scientific observation itself.

The story of the “Mpemba Effect” provides a dramatic parable cautioning scientists and teachers against dismissing the observations of non-scientists and making quick judgments about what is impossible. A Tanzanian high school pupil named Erasto B. Mpemba brought to light a forgotten observation of Aristotle. He noticed during a cookery class in 1969 after freezing hot ice cream, that hot water freezes faster cold water. Surprised by this revelation he asked the teacher for an explanation, but was told that his observations were impossible to explain. Mpemba’s need to understand eventually led him to a visiting physics professor, Dr. Denis Osborne, whom he insisted on questioning about his remarkable discovery. The professor realised after some time that Mpemba was correct and together they published their rediscovery: that hot water freezes faster than cold water in certain circumstances.
This contradiction is captured in the music of Mpemba Effect - a blend of Pan-African elements with modern urban grooves. It has down-tempo urban lounge feel with ethnic sounds and African rhythms, cafe lounge, urban vibes. Featured musicians include some South African luminaries, like Marcus Wyatt on trumpet and Andre Abrahamse on fretless bass, as well as a host of others, including Erik Pilani Paliani (guitar), Siya Makuzeni (vocals), Stix (piano) and Glenn Veale (vibes and marimbas).

The result is a vibrant journey that seamlessly moves through hypnotic rhythms and heartfelt melodies and lets you find the science of chilling that lies within. It’s an album that you can listen to, relax to and also dance to.