Max Abrams’ latest release, a cover of “Wicked Game,” arrives with a purpose that goes far beyond the music. The longtime Mavericks saxophonist is continuing his efforts to support Raul Malo, directing all streaming proceeds from the single to the Malo family to help with Raul’s ongoing care. Though the sentiment was first expressed around a previous release, Abrams’ core ethos remains unchanged: “There’s no middleman, no email address. Just supporting him.”
Abrams leans into the atmospheric side of his sound on “Wicked Game,” merging his American-roots foundation with a jazz-shaded, cinematic tone. He describes it as “a jazzy cover of the Chris Issac classic. I wanted to make my version the soundtrack of a film noir soap opera. Think beautiful people speeding away from perfectly lit crime scenes in tiny Italian sports cars.”
Working alongside French super producer Jérôme Degey, Abrams assembled a stellar group of musicians whose contributions underscore the sonic breadth of his latest album, Samba Americana. “They are amazing musicians. You can hear a lifetime of practice in every note,” he remarked.
For fans who purchase the album, there’s a special treat: each record comes signed by Abrams, along with an “instruction manual for listening,” which includes the history of the songs, cocktail recipes, dance instructions, coasters for drinks, and a few other surprises designed to enhance the listening experience.
The Mavericks will honor Raul Malo with Dance The Night Away: A 35-Year Musical Legacy at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on December 5–6. Malo will attend but not perform, as The Mavericks back an all-star lineup—including Jamey Johnson, Steve Earle, Jimmie Vaughan, and more—performing songs from their catalog. Malo, who shared his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, expressed gratitude for the support from fans, friends, and fellow musicians, calling it “something special.”
