I feel like I say this with every new jam the quite prolific Karl Blau puts out into the world, but his forthcoming full-length Zebra -- on which Blau "pays homage to the feedback of music from Africa and the music of African descent" -- is probably the best thing he's ever done. Here, on the mp3 premiere of album track "Apology to Pollinateurs," Blau embarks on a laid-back, breezy Afro-surf-psych jaunt that feels less and less formless with each listen, with help coming in the form of guest vocals from Melanie Valera (aka Tender Forever), and Arrington de Dionyso from Old Time Relijun on the the shenhai:

Zebra is out October 6, and is highly recommended. Mad tour dates after the jump, including a stop in Dallas in November with fellow K Recs artist LAKE.

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Karl Blau Summer/Fall tour dates:

Aug 7, 2009 - Myslowice, POLAND
Off Festival -

Aug 9, 2009 - Madrid, SPAIN
La Terraza Suena -

Aug 12, 2009 - Oslo, NORWAY
Oya Open Garage -

Aug 13, 2009 - Trondheim, NORWAY
BrukBar -

Aug 22, 2009 - Rochester, Washington
Helsing Junction Sleepover - w/ Desolation Wilderness, Joey Casio, Christmas, Tender Forever, Jeffrey Jerusalem

Sep 18, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Backspace - w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids

Sep 19, 2009 - Oakland, California
21 Grand - w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids

Sep 20, 2009 - Los Angeles, California
Eagle Rock Center for Arts - w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids

Sep 24, 2009 - Eugene, Oregon
Agate Hall - w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids

Sep 25, 2009 - Olympia, Washington
Northern - w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids

Oct 11, 2009 - Olympia, Washington
Northern - w/ LAKE

Oct 12, 2009 - Tacoma, Washington
The Den - w/ LAKE

Oct 13, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
The Josephine - w/ LAKE

Oct 15, 2009 - Pullman, Washington
Belltower - w/ LAKE

Oct 17, 2009 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Kilby Court - w/ LAKE

Oct 18, 2009 - Denver, Colorado
Rhinoceropolis - w/ LAKE

Oct 20, 2009 - Lawrence, Kansas
The Jackpot Saloon - w/ LAKE

Oct 22, 2009 - Chicago, Illinois
Schubas Tavern - w/ LAKE

Oct 23, 2009 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
The DAAC - w/ LAKE

Oct 24, 2009 - Bloomington, Indiana
Russian Recording - w/ LAKE

Oct 25, 2009 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Garfield Artworks - w/ LAKE

Oct 28, 2009 - Plattsburgh, New York
North Country Food Co-Op - w/ LAKE

Oct 29, 2009 - Brooklyn, New York
Market Hotel - w/ LAKE

Oct 30, 2009 - Haverford, Pennsylvania
Lunt Basement - w/ LAKE

Nov 2, 2009 - Charlottesville, Virginia
Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar - w/ LAKE

Nov 4, 2009 - Greensboro, North Carolina
Square One - w/ LAKE

Nov 5, 2009 - Lexington, Kentucky
Al's Bar - w/ LAKE

Nov 7, 2009 - Athens, Georgia
Secret Squirrel - w/ LAKE

Nov 8, 2009 - Tallahassee, Florida
Club Down Under - w/ LAKE

Nov 10, 2009 - Dallas, Texas
Swiss House - w/ LAKE

Nov 11, 2009 - Austin, Texas
Emo's Jr. - w/ LAKE

Nov 12, 2009 - Lubbock, Texas
Bash Riprocks - w/ LAKE

Nov 13, 2009 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Burt's Tiki Lounge - w/ LAKE

Nov 14, 2009 - Phoenix, Arizona
Trunk Space - w/ LAKE

Nov 17, 2009 - Los Angeles, California
The Smell - w/ LAKE

Nov 18, 2009 - Santa Barbara, California
Biko Garage - w/ LAKE

Nov 20, 2009 - San Luis Obispo, California
SLO Art Center - w/ LAKE

Nov 21, 2009 - Santa Cruz, California
Resource Center for Non Violence - w/ LAKE

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