Mixtape #153

Founded in Brussels in 2015, Azmari are one of the bands making their mark in the vibrant Belgian contemporary jazz scene. The band conquered our ears with their mesmerizing blend of ethiogroove, dub, psychfunk and eastern sounds. Last month saw them release Maëlström, an otherworldly and exuberant full-length album bristling with playful and effervescent energy. As we flip our calendars to November this week, Azmari crafted this amazing genre-spanning mix with a selection of sounds exploring the myriad influences that shape their music.

  1. Amir Bresler – Afro Golden Line [Raw Tapes]
  2. Azmari – Sheep Party [Sdban Ultra]
  3. Gaslamp Killer ft. Amir Yaghmai – Heart Math [Cuss Records]
  4. Kosmo Sound – Ototoxic [Zephyrus Records]
  5. Ezra Collective – Ego Killah [Partisan Records]
  6. Hailu Mergia – Yegle Nesh [Philophon]
  7. Kibrom Birhane – Mender [Flying Carpet Records]
  8. Cochemea – Tukaria [Daptone Records]
  9. Meridian Brothers – Guaracha U.F.O (Version Rebajada) [Soundway]
  10. The Mauskovic Dance Band – Wie niet weg is is gezien [Les Disques Bongo Joe]
  11. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – The River [Flightless]
  12. Antibalas – Tattletale, Pt. 2 [Daptone Records]

Azmari tease new album, Maelström, with first single ‘Sheep Party’

Photot: Monday Jr

Belgian outfit Azmari conquered our ears with their mesmerising blend of ethiogroove, dub, psychfunk and eastern sounds. Following their outstanding debut album, Samā’ī, they are gearing up to release a new record. Entitled Maelström, it arrives on October 20th through Sdban Ultra and saw the band enlist the help of sound engineer and producer Frederik Segers. As the press release describes,  Maelström is “an elevated soundscape that seamlessly integrates traditional instruments with a symphony of balanced pedal effects and enchanting amplification.”

Azmari have let loose the first single from the record, the effervescent and exuberant ‘Sheep Party’, a track loaded with groove. ‘Sheep Party’ will set us off with intoxicating headiness. Take a listen below.

Azmari’s debut album, Samā’ī, out this month

Belgian sextet Azmari are set to release their debut album, Samā’ī, later this month through Sdban Ultra.  After releasing their first EP, Ekera, in 2019, the band performed a string of European shows followed by ten days of shows in Istanbul which “opened the band’s ears to the Turkish sounds and rhythms from the 1960s”, as the press release explains. Azmari went on to develop their sound studying Turkish and Ethiopian scales and learning new instruments like the berimbau, the ney and bağlama. Citing artists such as as Okay Temiz, Mulatu Astatke, Cymande, Fela Kuti and The Heliocentrics as musical influences, the band blends ethiogroove, dub, psychfunk and eastern sounds to a mesmerising effect.

Ahead of the album release, Azmari had already shared the single ‘Azalaï’’, which refers to the semi-annual salt caravan route travelled by Tuareg traders in the Sahara desert. Take a listen below.

Samā’ī is out on January 22nd through Sdban UItra