Ethiopian Jazz

[mgraham333]

I like the music from Bill Murray's Broken Flowers.

Soundtrack

Ethiopiques Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique,...

Had no idea there was such a thing as Ethiopian Jazz....

Full title: Ethiopiques Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique, Instrumentale 1969-1974. The selections on ETHIOPIQUES VOL. 4 are taken from two previously released albums, ETHIOPIAN MODERN INSTRUMENTAL HITS and YEKATIT: ETHIO JAZZ. Personnel includes: Mulatu Astatke, Fekade Amde Meskel. The fourth in a series of compilations of early-to-present Ethiopian jazz, this release focuses on instrumentals. Heavily horn-based, the ensembles are sonically multi-faceted, including an almost psychedelic electric guitar and acoustic and electric bass, vibes, and piano. This volume focuses on the arrangers and composers of the late '60s and early '70s, highlighting both the Amha Records label and innovative bandleader Mulatu Astatke. The arrangements combine traditional jazz elements with Ethiopian folk tunes, creating a foreign yet pleasantly familiar feel. From the lilting saxophone of "Tezeta" (Nostalgia), to the jumping organ of "Yegelle Tezeta" (My Own Memory), each song carries its own story, relayed by many tempos. The most percussive, "Munaye" (My Muna), speaks with African beats accompanied by bongos and bell-like sounds accented with jazz guitar solos and well-timed horn bursts. Various stringed instruments provide a warmly personal feel. The cover photo, featuring Duke Ellington holding an African instrument as he jams with Mulatu Astatke, highlights the album's Ethiopian jazz sound.

[rostasi]

A very nice (and knowledgeable) French fellow named Francis Falceto

is responsible for that wonderful series! Volume 20 is officially coming out tomorrow.

I requested that he do a special volume on Ethiopian keyboardists -

and there are plenty of fine performers to fill at least one CD -

but that remains to be seen. The last time we spoke, he said that the series

was planned for only 20 volumes, but this has been quite a while ago,

so I hope that the series has become more popular than he's expected and more will follow.

His devotion to this music that didn't rise above "underground" status

because of the ongoing war during the 70's is quite gratifying.

I will add: You should check out the Dengue Fever recording too

(that was used on that Broken Flowers soundtrack).

Edited September 13, 2005 by rostasi

[.:.impossible]

This is a great series. The music has a very unique feel to it. Its got the funk, and its got the jazz. Some raw shit. Makes me want to see Broken Flowers even more now! I didn't know Ethiopiques was featured...

[BFrank]

FWIW, eMusic has the entire "Ethiopiques" series.

[Adam]

We've definitely raved about this in a former thread somewhere.

This Ethiopiques series is great. I suggest starting with

4 for instrumental

1, 3, and 8 as well

Dengue Fever's first album is very nice, and they have a new album out yesterday. However, they are rooted more in Cambodian music with a strong touch of that Ethiopian sound of the early 70s, that is the highlight of the Ethiopiques series. The track used in Broken Flowers is the most explicitly Ethiopian in sound, and I have not heard the new Dengue Fever album. The lead singer of Dengue Fever is Cambodian (Hmong), and the rest of the band are guys from Los Angeles). the other key reference Cd to check out is "Cambodian Rocks" a CD of Cambodian garage rock songs from the late 60s/early 70s that is quite astounding. However, the album has absolutely no credit information. But I believe two songs from it are covered by Dengue Fever on their first album.