Home "Soulful licks of Alicia Keys mating with the Hip-Hop beats of Mary J Blige"
Where some artists ride on the back of an old school sample or cover tune, Maz Mazák writes all of her own songs, and the music that backs her is all original. Sure, there's the occasional classic jazz, blues or gospel reference, and many might be tempted to put this singer in that too-cool-for-school category of R&B, but really, this girl stands in a class of her own.
Maz got the idea for the album Soul Tripping a few years ago when she got an opportunity to go to the US to songwrite in the City of Soul, Detroit - in Motown itself. After years of performing extensively around Australia and the U.S, Maz took the songs she started writing in Detroit and extrapolated on these experiences to come up with a collection of stories about love, loss, lust and having the courage to be yourself. Soon after finishing the writing process, Maz Mazák hooked up with producer No Qualms and Soul Tripping was born.
So put your headphones on, or turn the volume up on that stereo and relish in the gorgeous, soulful essence that is
Maz Mazák.
Neo-Soul / R&B
Her new Single Where Ya Hidin' and her Album Soul Tripping now available from
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About 'Soul Tripping'
Where some artists ride on the back of an old school sample or cover tune, the music that backs Maz Mazák is all original. Sure, there's the occasional classic jazz or blues reference, and many might be tempted to put this singer in that too-cool-for-school category of R&B, but really, this girl stands in a class of her own. And far be it for she to deliver heavy political rantings. In fact, the message on Mazák's debut album Soul Tripping is, really, to just be yourself.
"I wrote a lot of the album with one key phrase in mind - 'To thine own self be true' says Sydney-based, Perth-born Mazák.
In an industry inundated with pre-packaged 'idols' and x-factor wannabes, it's not surprising she was given instructions by some muso folk to "deliver a bit of riot grrrl snarl here" or "throw in a hip-hop sample there". Instructions she, cleverly so, ignored. Rather, she stuck to her guns, wrote her own words, and sang it her way (she's never been one to subscribe to the Alanis Morissette School of Angst).
"This album comes from a very deep place and hopefully not only will people want to move and groove to it, but find solace in the words and emotions behind it".
It's Maz's voice that is the main instrument, a little like the vocals of Angie Stone or Jill Scott are their main tools. Indeed, Stone and Scott are two of Maz's musical heroines, artists she aligns with such words like "soulful, sexy, cool, and fresh".
Also regularly spun on her home stereo are the likes of Aaliyah and Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu and Sade.
Maz got the idea for the album 'Soul Tripping' a few years ago when she got an opportunity to go to the US to songwrite in the City of Soul, Detroit - in Motown itself - and coincidentally in Aaliyah's old family home. "The vibes were just there", she recalls.
The trip also proved to be the catalyst for great introspection, the experience finalising lyrics like 'I remember as a child always told what to do, never found it easy to follow all the rules. Now I'm all grown up, before my dreams just fade, get out there, do my own thing, no time to be afraid' (from 'Dance the way I want to')
Returning to Australia, Maz took the songs she'd started writing in Detroit and extrapolated on these, lending them an urban touch. She's also gotten to refine her live performance skills with gigs at such prestigious lizard lounges as The Ivy, Hugos, and Hemmesphere in Sydney.
On stage or on record, you can't help but relate to the blue-eyed soul in songs like the title track 'Soul Tripping', 'Dont Get Much Better', and 'Dance The Way I Want To'.
"Soul Tripping is a collection of my stories about love, loss, lust and having the courage to be yourself... On 'Dance The Way I Want To' I originally had written 'the way you want to' but then realised there was no need for me to be preachy. Listeners of the song will know whether to relate it to themselves or not."
"I knew my groove, my sound, would come from my love of soul music, fat beats, and the beauty of words melded with live instruments... all I needed was for someone to capture that love, layer it with a bassline and a drum beat. Then I met producer / engineer / rapper / singer 'No Qualms', and we hit it off right away musically."
"Next thing you know it's a year and a half of late night recording sessions, in and amongst gigs, and not much sleep... and a complete album. It hasn't been an easy road, sometimes I was a blubbering emotional mess after a vocal session... But it wasn't all deep and meaningful either; there's lots of laughs and naughty takes that no-one will ever hear... well maybe in headphone land!"
Put your headphones on, or turn the volume on that stereo to seven or eight, and relish in the gorgeous, soulful essence that is Maz Mazák.
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