There’s exciting news from Azmari who have announced their upcoming EP, In Oculis, set for release on May 9 through Sdban Ultra. In In Oculis, Azmari meld “genres that range from powerful grooves to cinematic jazz, from floating melodies to entrancing soundscapes,” reflecting their desire to reinvent themselves with new influences and experimentation and a more minimalistic approach. The Belgian outfit enlisted the help of French multi-instrumentalist Guillaume Souffrice (Mosso Mosso), a longtime collaborator who had already been Azmari’s guitarist in their initial lineup.

Alongside the EP news, Azmari unveiled today the first single, ‘Disassembling the Matrix’. Groovy, menacing and hypnotic, the track originated from a jam session where an arpeggiator loop malfunctioned, leading the band to explore its potential. This experimentation resulted in a 9/4 melodic loop that serves as the song’s backbone. Of the track, the band says:

“’Disassembling the Matrix’ is about the confrontation between man and machine. The loop of the arpeggiator and daf instrument guide us through the track in a powerful and elusive march.”

Listen to ‘Disassembling the Matrix’ now.

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.

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