Year: 2009
Notes: aldehydes, apple, Moroccan cypress, fir balsam, Somali frankincense, Kenyan myrrh, labdanum, Ethiopian opopanax, Indian sandalwood
"Wazamba takes its name from a musical instrument, a type of sistrum used in West African rituals."
During the early years, Parfum d'Empire had a nasty habit of releasing orientals that stylistically 'alluded' to the baroque exoticism of Serge Lutens – Ambre Sultan for Ambre Russe, Arabie and El Attarine for Aziyadé, and Daim Blond for Cuir Ottoman. With Wazamba, it's yet another questionable Serge Lutens 'tribute' but, on this occasion, it's more of an amalgamation of more than one Serge Lutens offering.
With stewed fruits and an ambery-herbaceous leaning, one is immediately reminded of both Arabie and Ambre Sultan. But the heart of Wazamba mainly comprises of resins and lashings of fir balsam, which is what Chypre Rouge (another Serge Lutens creation) also possesses in abundance. Yet, unlike the transient Chypre Rouge, Wazamba has better tenacity – featuring a full-bodied foundation of myrrh, labdanum and opopanax that, when combined with the fir balsam and apple, yields something intriguingly reminiscent of immortelle.
But, for all its virtues, one is unable to abide with the apple-infused sweetness that intermingles with the syrupy balsams and resins. Noticeably linear, the end result is a somewhat bizarre high-pitched ambery-green aroma, with an underlining burnt woodiness.
Sillage is moderate, with below average lasting power.
During the early years, Parfum d'Empire had a nasty habit of releasing orientals that stylistically 'alluded' to the baroque exoticism of Serge Lutens – Ambre Sultan for Ambre Russe, Arabie and El Attarine for Aziyadé, and Daim Blond for Cuir Ottoman. With Wazamba, it's yet another questionable Serge Lutens 'tribute' but, on this occasion, it's more of an amalgamation of more than one Serge Lutens offering.
With stewed fruits and an ambery-herbaceous leaning, one is immediately reminded of both Arabie and Ambre Sultan. But the heart of Wazamba mainly comprises of resins and lashings of fir balsam, which is what Chypre Rouge (another Serge Lutens creation) also possesses in abundance. Yet, unlike the transient Chypre Rouge, Wazamba has better tenacity – featuring a full-bodied foundation of myrrh, labdanum and opopanax that, when combined with the fir balsam and apple, yields something intriguingly reminiscent of immortelle.
But, for all its virtues, one is unable to abide with the apple-infused sweetness that intermingles with the syrupy balsams and resins. Noticeably linear, the end result is a somewhat bizarre high-pitched ambery-green aroma, with an underlining burnt woodiness.
Sillage is moderate, with below average lasting power.
