{"title":"Muito Kaballa","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"like-a-river","title":"Like A River","description":"\u003cp\u003eActing as the introduction to the musical world and lyrical narratives of the upcoming record Like A River, the track leans into the river theme, providing an all-encompassing, flowing journey. Tim von Malotki's percussive bass clarinet lines cut through the meandering wash of Benjamin Schneider's rootsy, highlife-inspired guitars and atmospheric piano flourishes, courtesy of Jan Janzen. Vocalist Nora Beisel floats across the arrangement, backed by emotive horn harmonies whilst reflecting on the change of path at the end of a relationship; a new orientation and course set.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Musically we tried to really engage with the river metaphor. We worked with all these 'water' sounds and effects that kind of produce this ocean vibe. As the song evolves, it also follows along this idea of a river that grows stronger and more dangerous as the current grows.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn album focused on transitional moments in life, and separation from ingrained social ideals, 'Like A River' is anchored around the three movements of 'Like A River Parts I-III' which act as the record's source, middle and end point. Set to be accompanied by a film to which these movements are the score, it's an achievement of songwriting and collective arrangement, incorporating wide-ranging influences that span afrofunk, gnawa, contemporary jazz and rumba. Whereas their previous albums have mostly linked to afrobeat, and addressed topics like social equality, racial politics and climate change, \u003ci\u003eLike A River \u003c\/i\u003eis a concept album that takes a more intimate, personal approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracks such as 'Like A River Part II' dip into swirling psychedelia centred around an explorative 12\/8 groove, whilst 'Carry Me' takes a subtle shift away from the 70s analogue sounds favoured by the band, combining full bodied synth soundscapes with euphoric horn arrangements. Not content with just its core members, the group also employ the skills of Belgo-Congolese vocalist Reinel Bakolé for 'Let Go' and 'All This While', further expanding their pool of influence into the world of future soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLed by tenor saxophonist and composer Niklas Mündemann, Muito Kaballa are a collective based in Cologne. Originally started as a one-man loop station street show, the project has grown to be known for its eclectic and mesmerising live show. The band have released three albums; 2019's \u003ci\u003eEverything Is Broke\u003c\/i\u003e, 2021's \u003ci\u003eMamari\u003c\/i\u003e and 2022's \u003ci\u003eLittle Child\u003c\/i\u003e, building a steady fanbase and drawing critical acclaim from domestic press outlets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Batov Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50526322950475,"sku":"2029618","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Like_a_River_72d199c1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728041647"},{"product_id":"tomorrow-a-flower","title":"Tomorrow A Flower","description":"\u003cp\u003eMuito Kaballa return in style with a refined modern sound on \u003cem\u003eTomorrow A Flower\u003c\/em\u003e for the London-based imprint Batov Records, blending indie pop, soul, hip hop, jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and West African grooves. Initially the solo project of tenor saxophonist and composer Niklas Mündemann, Muito Kaballa has grown into a full blown ensemble, based between Cologne and Berlin, championed across BBC 6 Radio Music, by the likes of Deb Grant, Tom Ravenscroft, and Nubya Garcia, The Radio 2 Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum, Seattle indie institution KEXP, Music Is My Sanctuary, and loved for their energetic live shows. \u003cem\u003eTomorrow A Flower\u003c\/em\u003e builds on the success of the ensemble's acclaimed ‘Like a River’ album, whilst moving away from the previous album’s strong jazz leanings, towards a more direct, contemporary yet sophisticated pop feel. Still oozing with soul, and nods to not only African funk and hip hop but strong modern references, including electronic pop favourites Jungle By Night and cosmic groove merchants Khruangbin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe album commences with lead single “Loving You”, a heartwarming yet almost melancholy groover simultaneously recalling both classic soul, and the contemporary soul of electronic maverick Jitwan’s “Opendoors”. Held to earth by a steady mid-tempo snare-and-tambourine rhythm, whilst the irresistible harmonising between voice and horn threatens to lift it off the ground as the vocal slowly unfolds. “In My Delir” follows perfectly. Featuring South African singer and KEXP fave, Petite Noir, and shaped in collaboration with Muito guitarist Benjamin Schneider, the song opens with a beguiling guitar riff that melts through the speakers like a disintegrating highlife loop. Shuffling Brazilian snares lead us into the song proper, where Petite questions the gap between his dreaming mind and loveworn heart. Destined to soundtrack the petal picking of unrequited lovers. The pace picks up on “Flowers Only Grow After the Rain Falls”. A highly energetic merging of Muito’s Afrobeat roots with swinging soul and electronic touches. Almost reminiscent of Nina Simone’s Seeline Woman, if not for the punk-meets-pop vocalising on a search for harmony and benefits of friction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the epic album standout, “Make Me Bigger”, guest vocalist Jermain Peterson asks the listener to “take my hand and make me bigger”, on a stirring ode to friendship and its power to overcome fears and self-doubt. West African grooves and Afrobeats (yes, with an ‘s’) support coiling vines of jazz, soul, and pop that will no doubt appeal to fans of SAULT, Michael Kiwanuka and Yazmin Lacey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTomorrow A Flower \u003c\/em\u003ecloses on high with “Too Good For Me”, a playful and irresistibly catchy exploration of insecurity, intertwining Afrobeat, boogie, pop and punk into a future dancefloor smash somewhere between the Paradise Garage and the Shrine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Batov Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53500706554187,"sku":"R0955-4772","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/unnamed-2025-09-29T160717.302.jpg?v=1759158445"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/muito-kaballa.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}