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
![Time and a Word [Bonus Tracks]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0081227378721_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Time and a Word [Bonus Tracks]")
![Spectres [Expanded Edition]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0886976927127_p0_v3_s90x140.jpg "Spectres [Expanded Edition]")
