"Tambu" is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Toto. It was released in June 1995 under the label of Sony Records. Tambu marked a new era for the band as it was the first album without the vocals of longtime Toto frontman Bobby Kimball, due to his departure from the ensemble in 1984. The role of lead vocals was largely taken over by Toto's drummer, Simon Phillips. However, the album also features guest performances by notable singers like Jenny Douglas-McRae and John James.
The album’s title, "Tambu", takes its name from a Trinidadian word that comes from West African roots, meaning "a kind of dance where trances and spirits are believed to be invoked," symbolizing the band's rebirth after Kimball's exit. The music on Tambu expands on Toto's already eclectic style. It is a mix of traditional Toto-style rock, including tracks like "Gift of Faith" and "Drag Him to the Roof", ballads like "Baby He's Your Man", and its lead single, "I Will Remember".
Despite mixed reviews, Tambu was relatively successful in Europe, where individual singles garnered considerable airtime. In the United States, however, it faced a lukewarm response and was less successful in the charts. Regardless, Tambu is seen today as being a creative reinvention for Toto, proving how adaptable and dynamic the group can be.
