Having released their debut EP ‘Ekera’ last year, a series of shows across Europe saw the Azmari sound develop and ten days performing in Istanbul opened the band’s ears to the Turkish sounds and rhythms from the 1960s.
The resulting nine tracks that make up debut album ‘Sama’I’, released 22nd January via Sdban UItra, is a deeply hypnotic experience where mesmerising rhythms and winding improvisations send the listener in to a higher state of consciousness.
From the magical sax of album opener ‘Zegiyitwali’, to the dubby template of ‘Cosmic Masadani’ and joyous horns of ‘Kugler’, Azmari seamlessly blend African and oriental melodies with effortless precision, providing a fresh take on the ethiojazz sound.
Azmari are; Arthur Ancion - Drums, Basile Bourtembourg - Keyboards/percussions/saz baglama, Jojo Demeijer – Percussion, Niels D'haegeleer - Bass, Mattéo Badet – Saxophones/kaval and Ambroos de Schepper – Saxophone/flûte