Tambu (album)

Tambu is the ninth studio album by American rock band Toto. It was released in 1995 through Sony Records. Tambu has sold 600,000 copies worldwide. It is the band's first album to feature Simon Phillips following Jeff Porcaro's death in 1992. The album includes the single "I Will Remember", which failed to chart in the US but was the band's first chart hit in the UK since "I Won't Hold You Back" twelve years before.

Tambu was a nominee for Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical in 1997.

Reception
AllMusic's review reflected on the album as a major change of direction for Toto, commenting on the anguished and highly vague philosophical lyrics and the focused, bluesy musical style. They found Steve Lukather's performance as chief lead vocalist of such quality that it was puzzling why he hadn't been given the role earlier, and concluded "You couldn't call the result accomplished, but Tambu suggested that Toto was embarked on a new personal and musical journey that might lead in an interesting direction."

The Absolute Sound called the album "brilliant" and "near-perfect", saying that it was better than the band's previous works.

Personnel
Adapted from album's liner notes.

Toto
 * Steve Lukather – guitars, lead vocals (1-10, 12), backing vocals (1-5, 7-10, 12), bass fills (5), acoustic piano (2, 6, 10), synthesizers (2, 6), mandolin (12)
 * David Paich – synthesizers (1, 3-13), acoustic piano (1-5, 7-9, 11-13), string arrangements and conductor (2, 4, 10, 12), Fender Rhodes (5, 7, 10), Hammond organ (5, 7, 10), backing vocals (5, 7), lead vocals (7, 9)
 * Mike Porcaro – bass guitar, additional keyboards (7)
 * Simon Phillips – drums, drum loops (5), Roland TR-808 (6), additional keyboards (7)

Featured musicians
 * Jenny Douglas-McRae – lead vocals (5, 7, 9, 13), backing vocals (1-5, 7-10, 12)
 * John James – lead vocals (9), backing vocals (2, 5, 7, 8)
 * Michael McDonald – backing vocals (2)

Additional musicians
 * Steve Porcaro – drum loops (5)
 * Lenny Castro – percussion (1, 2, 6)
 * Michael Fisher – percussion (4)
 * Paulinho da Costa – percussion (5, 7, 8)
 * Phillip Ingram – backing vocals (5, 7, 9)
 * Ricky Nelson – backing vocals (5, 7)
 * Jim Giddens, Steve Lukather, Stan Lynch, Mike Porcaro and Elliot Scheiner – S.P. chant (1)

Production

 * Produced by Elliot Scheiner and Toto
 * Recorded by Elliot Scheiner, Al Schmitt and Bill Smith.
 * Mixed by Elliot Scheiner
 * Additional recording by John Jessel
 * Assisted by Jim Giddens, Stephen Genewick, and Sean Schimmiel.
 * Digitally Edited and Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
 * Production Coordination – Ivy Skoff
 * Keyboard Programming and Set-Up – John Jessel
 * Set-Up for David Paich and Mike Porcaro – Paul Jamieson
 * Guitar Tech – Gavin Menzies
 * Cartage for Steve Lukather – Andy Braun Studio Rentals
 * Piano Tuner – Keith Albright
 * Set-Up for Simon Phillips – Drum Paradise
 * String Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 * Management – The Fitzgerald Hartley Co.
 * Creative Direction – Doug Brown
 * Art Direction – Eric Scott
 * Cover and Portraiture – Daniel Brereton
 * Photography – Melanie Lawrence

Additional notes
Catalogue: (CD) Sony Legacy 64957

Singles

 * I Will Remember / Dave's Gone Skiing (released in UK and EU)
 * Drag Him to the Roof / I Will Remember (released in Japan)
 * The Other End of Time / Slipped Away (released in EU)
 * Just Can't Get to You / I'll Be Over You (released in EU)
 * The Turning Point / The Road Goes On (released in EU)
 * If You Belong to Me / Don't Stop Me Now (released in EU)