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BLK JKS are a seminal force in the South African underground.
After an extended hiatus the Johannesburg foursome, championed by The Mars Volta and TV On The Radio (amongst many others), return with a groundbreaking new album.
Monster grooves meet guitar and brass driven afro-rock. Echoes of spiritual jazz, post- apocalyptic funk, renegade dub and kwaito.
Features Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Tour and Beastie Boys accomplice Money Mark on the track “Maiga.”
”This South African art-rock band traffics in complexity, cross-hatching not only rhythms and textures but also the signifiers of genre”- The New York Times
“A prequel to 2009’s amazing After Robots ... What occurs when you listen to Abantu is that it is an Old Testament support to After Robots – where that album prophesied Afro- punk, this album suggests the roots to that moment, an engrossing journey of Afrobeat, fuzzy yet hugely suggestive drone and psych textures, and a bristling sense of both pride and critique that sings through.” The Wire
“A dark and brooding number that simmers and smoulders as it goes, fueled by a driving rhythm section and mournful horns.”- Brooklyn Vegan about single “Human Hearts”
“BLK JKS, an awe-inspiring exemplar of modern Africa’s indigenous sound, make a victo- rious return after an extended hiatus ... [They] create something unique on this album.” ***** Morning Star
Tracklist
Yela Oh !
Running Asibaleki
Sheroes Theme
IQ(w)ira Machine Learning Vol 1.
Mme Kelapile
Harare
Human Hearts
Yoyo !
The Mandela Effect
Black Aurora Cusp
Druids Ascending
Maiga Mali Mansa Musa
Mmao Wa Tseba Nare
Indaba My Children
Soundwave
https://youtu.be/GrYd5whR_-Q