Tomorrow A Flower

Muito Kaballa return in style with a refined modern sound on ‘Tomorrow A Flower’ 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.

‘Tomorrow A Flower’ 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.

The 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.

On 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.

‘Tomorrow A Flower’ closes 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.

‘Tomorrow A Flower’ is a modern classic – interlacing multiple genres of sound into new perspectives that complement each and leave room for the enchanting and original songs and sounds of Niklas Mündeman and Muito Kaballa. 

credits

release: 2 May 2025

All songs were composed by Niklas Mündemann, except In My Delir by Benjamin Schneider and Niklas Mündemann.

All Lyrics written by Niklas Mündemann, except In My Delir by Petite Noir and Lately by Jermaine Peterson

Nora Beisel	Vocals
Jermaine Peterson	Vocals on Make Me Bigger & Lately
Petite Noir	Vocals on In My Delir
Benjamin Schneider	Guitar, composition on In My Delir
Tim von Malotki	Baritone Saxofone, Bass Clarinette, Flute
André van der Heide	Drums, Percussions
Alice Vande Voorde	Bass
Jan Janzen	Keys
Leonard Gaab	Percussions
Marthe van Droogenbroeck	Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Niklas Mündemann	Tenor Saxofone, compositions

Recorded by Stefano Manca and Niklas Mündemann at Sudestudio, Lecce, IT
Mixed and Mastered by Rick David at Pink Bird Recording Co., London, UK

Artwork by Ingo Hermes

SPECIAL THANKS:
Jermaine Peterson, Yannick Diekeno Ilunga , Ingo Hermes, Stefano Manca, Mara & Matt, Mom & Dad

Supported by Initiative Musik gGmbH with project funds from Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media.

℗ © Batov Records 2025 | BTR120
www.batovrecords.com
Distributed by !K7 Music

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