Melé’s 'Talkin Drums' is the Tribal House Anthem We Can’t Turn Off

Take this perfect combination of dynamic percussion, flourishing horns, and charismatic vocals for a spin.

It is near impossible to match the infectious energy of a top-shelf Afro-tribal house track. Arguably one of the more compositionally complex branches of dance music, the multitude of moving parts come together to create a spellbinding force that enraptures all within earshot. If you’re privy to this power or looking to familiarize yourself with the fun, you’ll undoubtedly want to press play on Mele’s “Talkin Drums.”

This tune has got it all. Thunderous kicks invigorate the heart while pattering bongos bounce between steady claps. Senegal’s dynamic duo, Touré Kunda, next begins a charismatic call and response with a collection of woodwinds, flutes, and saxophones breaking apart into rallying harmonies and furiously flying licks. Touré Kunda once again steps into the spotlight for their own high-speed exchange before the outfit rejoins in full to bring this exhilarating track to a clean-cut close.

Melé has made quite a name for himself in the last seven years. Hailing from the Wirral Peninsula of the United Kingdom, an early interest in DJing first saw the lad step behind the decks at the age of 13.

After five years of steady releases, fine-tuning his technique and sound, 2015 was punctuated by his breakout hit, “Ambience.” Since then, Melé hasn’t looked back. He’s gone on to tour the globe and play premiere events like elrow, EDC Las Vegas, Defected Ibiza, ANTS, and CRRSD. He also launched his multi-platform brand, Club Bad, in 2019. Encompassing fashion, events, and a label, it’s become a leading entity in the distribution of forward-thinking Afro and tribal house and all things worldly and tropical.

“Talkin Drums” marks Melé’s fourth release of the year, including the party-starting collab with Diplo and Busta Rhymes, “Right 2 Left.”