The Sorcerers (ATA Records) + DJ Andy Votel / Brudenell Leeds

Leeds jazz/soul/global beats promoter DJ Lubi hosts a special live show at Brudenell Social Club on Saturday 3rd October. A rare live performance by cult Leeds Ethio-jazz band The Sorcerers, only their second in the UK since their formation back in 2014. Although they’ve released four critically acclaimed albums since then on the UK’s top analogue music label ATA Records, championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music) and Jamie Cullum (Radio 2), they rarely play live. With a mini-tour of Poland and Sweden in mid-late October 2026, they’re doing a couple of exclusive warm-up shows in the UK before they go. Just two – one in London and one in Leeds, covering the north of England.

The Sorcerers are the Leeds-based instrumental outfit channeling the golden age of Ethio-jazz through a cinematic, groove-driven lens. Inspired by the hypnotic sounds of Addis Ababa’s 1960s and 70s jazz underground, the band fuse layered melodies, swirling textures and deep rhythmic interplay into a sound that feels timeless yet unmistakably contemporary. Described as “one of the most innovative groups in Ethio-jazz today” (DistritoJazz), The Sorcerers craft immersive instrumental journeys that move between cosmic library funk, spiritual jazz and transportive soundtrack textures.

Formed in Leeds and rooted in a deep appreciation for Ethiopian jazz and soundtrack culture, The Sorcerers have steadily built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading exponents of contemporary Ethio-jazz. Drawing inspiration from the pioneering sounds of Mulatu Astatke and the golden era documented on the Éthiopiques compilations, the band blend modal melodies, hypnotic grooves and layered textures into a sound that feels both archival and forward-looking.

They have released four albums since 2015, all for the UK’s number one analogue music label ATA Records – “The Sorcerers” (2015), “In Search Of The Lost City Of The Monkey God” (2020), “I Too Am A Stranger” (2024), and the latest one, “Other Worlds And Habits” (2025). Plus two vinyl 45s, again for ATA Records – “In Pursuit Of The Shai Hulud” (2018), and “Summoning The Monkey God/End Credits” (2019).

The core Sorcerers band is bassist Neil Innes (ATA Records owner and producer), drummer Joost Hendrickx (Gotts Street Park, Kefaya, Eddie Chacon), reed/flute/vibes player Richard Ormrod, and Johnny Richards on analogue keys (Jen 73 piano, Mellotron and Farfisa Compact Duo).

Their releases have been praised internationally for balancing authenticity with experimentation. Here’s a few quotes from fans and reviews :

“Who’s this? The Sorcerers? It’s cool! This is great. Give me the CD man! I like the grooves, and it is good to see The Sorcerers interpret Ethio jazz in their own unique way” – Mulatu Astatke

“This sounds great! Love the way it’s recorded” – Nightmares On Wax

“One of the most innovative groups in Ethio-jazz today” – DistritoJazz

“Arguably their best full-length release to date” – BeatCaffeine

“I love this, this is so good!” – Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2

If you love this band and their music and want to see them live, then make sure you attend this show. Who knows the next time they’ll be playing a gig again in their home city.

Support act is legendary DJ and crate digger Andy Votel. He is primarily known as a DJ but is also musician, record producer, graphic designer and co-founder of Twisted Nerve Records and the reissue label Finders Keepers Records. His love of rare library music and East European horror movie soundtracks is renowned, which makes him the perfect person to set the tone for a Sorcerers set.