Ethiopiques, Vol. 7: Mahmoud Ahmed, Erè mèla mèla (1975-1978)

Mahmoud Ahmed | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 15, 2004
• Label: Buda musique
• Copyright: (c) Buda Musique
• Total Length: 1:01:17
• Genres: International/Africa
• ASIN: B0014XI4LY
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,319 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "this jewel of African soul", June 27, 2002

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Ethiopiques, Vol. 7: Ere Mela Mela (Audio CD)

This is a powerful CD, with raw intesity, complex rhythm patterns, a fabulous, energetic brass section, and the artistry of Mahmoud Ahmed, who's gritty, strong and sensual voice is terrific, and should have a wider audience.

There isn't a weak track on this CD, which is a reissue of recordings done in '75 and '78. In the same way that one can hear the echoes of North African music in Spanish flamenco, one can hear a common ancestry between the music on this CD and American jazz...if you're comfortable with 1969 Miles Davis, the dissonance and intricacy of this music (especially tracks 9 + 10, which combine to make a single 9'14 minute composition), won't seem foreign at all.
It's hard to pick a favorite track, but the voluptuous melody of # 11, "Fetsum deng ledj nesh" ("You are Sublime"), make it a front runner.

The booklet insert, in English and French, is excellent, with translations of the songs, photos, and a history of the music and political chaos that affected it at the time.
This CD is 61'25 in total time, and is dynamic, potent music...if you like jazz, or exotic "world music", you might find it to be, as described in the liner notes, a "jewel of African soul".

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethiopian funk soul brother, November 17, 2001

By 

Andrew Meyer (Cedar Falls, IA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ethiopiques, Vol. 7: Ere Mela Mela (Audio CD)

I can't believe I'm the first to review this! This is an incredible album of moody Middle Eastern-infused soul from the mid-70's. With arrangements heavy on grinding organ, scratchy guitar, and punchy horns worthy of the JBs, this is an album not to be missed by fans of world music or rare groove. This was first reissued in the U.S. in the mid-80's, and it was the first album to really spark an interest in Ethiopian music in the West. It's a shame more people haven't heard this guy--he's practically a household name in Ethiopia.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ULTIMATE Ethiopian Album, October 15, 2002

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ethiopiques 7 (Audio CD)

If you have never heard Ethiopian music before, then you are in for a real treat with this CD. While it focuses on the music of one particular artist (the famous Mahmoud Ahmed, who bears the unique distinction of being perhaps the only Ethiopian artist to ever win widespread fame outside of his home country) it is still the best place to start exploring the music of Ethiopia. It is beautiful and exotic, and yet at the same time easily approachable (and appreciable) for westerners. You can detect a strong Middle-Eastern/North African feel to his music, as one would expect, but there is also a Jazzy feel to it. Even despite its age this music is pretty sleek and stylish. Just listen to the track "Ere Mela Mela" and you'll be blown away.
This whole series, focusing on the musicians and styles of Ethiopia, is quite nice, and there is a further volume (number 6) exploring the music of Mahmoud Ahmed, but this CD stands head and shoulders above the rest. Check this one out first if at all possible.