Wazamba (2009)
by Parfum d'Empire

I'd love Wazamba if it hadn't such a huge immortelle note (or immortelle effect, as I don't see it listed) in the heart! It starts with the typical citrus-resinous-spicy accord of others Marc Antoine Corticchiato's fragrances, here made sweeter and lighter by a fresh apple note. The well balanced combination of incense, resins and a round and balsamic myrrh are already lurking in the background, but, before getting to it, there's a wall of smoky bacon and curry to overcome! Too bad, as the beginning and the drydown are remarkably interesting.

24th November, 2011.

Wazamba starts with incense and myrrh right on the spot, associated with a very evident resinous combo, but without being too pungent. The opening does not screams in your face since a light apple aroma kicks in leaving things softly. Anyway, a very pleasant fragrance that I recommend to everyone to at least try it instead of only look to Ambre Russe.

25th September, 2011.

Directly I sniffed this one I knew it was a fragrance I'd smelled before! Behind all the incense and conifer/pine which is just something a little extra, really.

SERGE LUTENS AMBER SULTAN

I'm amazed nobody has picked up on this as of yet!

30th July, 2011.

How to make an incense that doesn't smell like all the any other incense.
Not happy with the cold stone note of Avignon or Cardinal?
Don't want to smell like a religious ceremony, Kyoto?
Don't want to fade into obscurity?
Don't want it to get lost in a bunch of other notes, Jubilation XXV?
Do like woody resinous smells?
Wazamba is my answer.

26th July, 2011.

Phew. A surprisingly total scrubber for me. I couldn't wash this off fast enough. I am an adventurous cook and adventurous cooking was all this conjured up for me. Potent, ,exotic spices, just ones I'd prefer to season my cuisine with rather than my skin. I can get the same effect from sitting in the local curry shop for a couple of hours. Aromatic B.O. Pass.

3rd July, 2011.

Parfums d'Empire WAZAMBA is an incense perfume of the “pulverize sticks of incense to fine powder and then dissolve it to form a solution which dries down to the smell of pulverized sticks of incense” variety. Very similar in this regard to Comme des Garçons ZAGORSK. For some reason the final product of pulverized incense that I end up breathing in causes a mild discomfort akin to asbestos contamination to my lungs. Could be some kind of allergic reaction, I suppose. In any case, it is clear from these two cases that I really prefer incense perfumes with a more balanced resinous or oily cast. Désolée.

2nd July, 2011. (Last Edited: 11th July, 2011.)