Valvulado: Black Fower - Ethio-Jazz/Psych Jazz Funk (Belgium)

For this album debut by Black Flower, the Ethio-jazz project of and around saxophonist Nathan Daems, fans were already waiting since heard the five tracks on their self-titled EP from 2013. For Abyssinia Afterlife, Daems drew inspiration from the legend of Prester John (see also Tommy T's The Prester John Sessions (2009) and be sure to read the crazy story behind the album on Black Flower's website) and that resulted in an album that sounds like a feverish LSD-trip through the streets of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. But Abyssinia Afterlife exceeds the boundaries of Ethio-jazz: in songs like "Upwards" (featuring Smokey Hormel's splendid guitar playing) or "Again I Lost It", Dengue Fever's psychedelic Cambodian rock is not far away and Wouter Haest keyboard sounds are at times reminiscent of the work of The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek ("I Threw A Lemon At That Girl", together with "Winter" the only song from the EP also featured on Abyssinia Afterlife). Black Flower only serves up eight songs on Abyssinia Afterlife, but with several compositions lasting more than five minutes, this album will certainly not leave you feeling unfulfilled. Gatefold sleeve.

“…Psychedelic funk between North and South: wahwah- and fuzz pedals, Farfissa organs and melodicas, afrobeat and grooves drenched in the melancholic and sensual scales of Ethiojazz. This debut album sounds nostalgic and lighthearted.” – Focus Knack 3***

“… pretty legit if you ask me” – LeFto

“…one of Belgium’s Best Band of these pas years… Black Flower always grooves” – Kurt Overbergh, AB

Born out of a surreal experience and with strong devotion Black Flower takes you on a lucid voyage through the gardens of the Abyssinian afterlife. It is said that these are the secret realms of the long past legendary ruler of Ethiopia, Sir Prester John. Some even claim that he composed these sounds as a way of ruling his ancient land. Whether this is fact or myth, nobody knows for sure…