Review: Vespero - Azmari: Abyssinian Liventure

Vespero have long been a band I've admired - their unique blend of ethnic-tinged space rock, psych and jazz has always struck a chord. 'Azmari: Abyssanian Liventure' is a new live album from the band`s "Liventure" series and was recorded live on 05.15.2015 at The Union of Theatre Artists, Astrakhan. Sometime back I reviewed their 'Lique Mekwas' album (read the review here) which told the tale of a young man who was appointed to serve the Crown Prince of Abyssinia; the band continue with the Abyssinian theme, the Azmari being "... singers and musicians wandering through the territory of Ethiopia. They carry the stories of different worlds, the sagas of mysterious seas, of lush whispering trees high in the skies, of the flowers blooming in the clouds, of flying islands, of the demoted Ethiopian Princes and their doubles ... " (words by chronicler Tekle - Ēzānā (1698)). Taking material from their estimable back catalogue, as well as one unpublished song, 'Azmari..' shows magnificently how much of a tight live unit the band are.

The set opens with 'The Course Of Abagaz' (from the aforementioned 'Lique Mekwas' album). Starting gently with some nice spacey effects, touches of saxophone jazz and the ever present violin, it initially sets up a mood of calmness. As it progresses, the track becomes faster and more furious...the drums pounding out a tribal rhythm, leading a jam of monumental proportions. In its seventeen minute span it takes in some blistering space rock/psych guitar, some more jazzy sax and the violin adding a hint of indigenous folk. 'Maui' is shorter but no less jam packed with goodness...led by the Romany sounding violin it grows into an exotic soundtrack to a spy movie. 'Tall Tree', originally heard on 'By The Waters Of Tomorrow', initially takes the tempo down a notch and becomes an almost Floydian meditation - soothing and tranquil, but it grows and evolves into a more hectic space rock jam...all crashing cymbals and wailing guitars. 'Abyssinian Ground' (from 'Lique Mekwas') sees the band channel their more jazzy progressive side..a more complex structure that highlights what great musicians these guys are. 'Frozen Lillies (Melt In Heaven)' is more jazzy in structure, led by some groovy keyboards and is another that grows and grows...the drumming is out of this world! 'Marine' is probably my favourite of this particular set....it nicely encompasses everything that is so good about the band...it has flashes of space rock, psychedelia, ethno-rock, jazz and even some funky elements. 'Shum-Shir' has some haunting violin that belys the inherent groovy jazziness of the track, again driven by the drums, including a solo that sounds positively primal. The set is brought to a close by 'The Emperor's Second Self' which starts slowly with some spacey effects and lovely guitar work. The last half of the track is drone led, punctuated with violin and drums.

'Azmari: Abyssinian Liventure' is a live document of a band at the height of their powers. The intriguing and beguiling mix of styles and approaches that typify Vespero are translated exceptionally well into a live experience. The band show why they are one of the more creative 'psych' bands out there and also go some way to highlight the number of good bands coming out of Russia at the moment. The album is download only and the $6 it costs from their bandcamp page here is a small price to pay for some wonderful, wonderful music.