Ethiopiques 4

by Mulatu Astatke

Overview

To some, the term "Ethiopian jazz" might seem impossible; after all, it's a very American form. But what's truly surprising isn't the fact that these musicians play jazz so well, but the range of jazz they manage, from the George Benson-ish guitar workout of "Munaye" to the twisting sax of "Tezeta." Really, though, it's more Jimmy Smith than Duke Ellington in its aim (although Ellington is on the cover, on stage with Mulatu Astatke, the bandleader behind all these selections). The grooves often smoke rather than swing, with some fiery drumming, most notably on "Yekermo Sew," and throughout the guitar is very much to the fore as a rhythm instrument. Perhaps the most interesting cut, however, is "Yekatit," from 1974, which is Astatke's tribute to the burgeoning revolution which would oust Emperor Haile Sellassie. Some of these pieces, certainly "Dewel," has seen U.S. release before; the track appeared in 1972 on Mulatu of Ethiopia, which was Astatke's third American LP, showing that jazz aficionados, at least, had an appreciation for what he was achieving in the horn of Africa. Given that many of his musicians had graduated from police and military bands, they knew their instruments well, and had plenty of practice time, which shows in the often inventive solos that dot the tracks. Varied, occasionally lyrical, but interesting throughout, this shines a fabulous spotlight on a hidden corner of jazz. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	10/06/1998
Label:	Buda Musique
UPC:	0723723382528

Tracks

1. Yekermo Sew
2. Metche Dershe
3. Kasalefkut Hulu
4. Tezeta
5. Yegelle Tezeta
6. Munaye
7. Gubelye
8. Asmarina
9. Yekatit
10. Netsanet
11. Tezetaye Antchi Lidj
12. Sabye
13. Ene Alantchi Alnorem
14. Dewel

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mulatu Astatke   Primary Artist,Organ,Congas,Keyboards,Vibraphone,Fender Rhodes
Ethiopiques   Primary Artist
Temare Haregu   Drums
Girma Beyene   Keyboards,Piano (Upright)
Felleque Kidane   Trumpet
Andrew Wilson   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Hailu "Zehon" Kebbede   Guitar (Bass)
Moges Habte   Sax (Tenor)
The Police Orchestra   Strings
Feqadu Amde-Mesqel   Flute,Sax (Tenor)
Girma Zemaryam   Drums
Yohannes Tekolla   Trumpet
Tewodros Meteku   Sax (Tenor)
Tesfaye "Hodo" Mekonnen   Drums
Haylu "Zehon" Kebbede   Bass
Tekle "Huket" Adhanom   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Tesfa Maryam Kidane   Sax (Tenor),Saxophone
Ivo   Guitar (Bass)
Antonio   Sax (Alto)
Giovanni Rico   Bass,Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Francis Falceto   Editing,Collection,Liner Notes,Series Editor,Executive Producer,Production Executive
Wilfrid Harpaille   Restoration,Tape Transfer
Karen Albrecht   Translation,English Translations
Mulatu Astatke   Arranger,Composer,Performer
Traditional   Composer
Jack Garnier   Artwork,Graphic Design
Addis Abada   Photography
Girma Hadgu   Composer