Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974 [IMPORT]

Ethiopiques (Buda Series), Mulatu Astatqe

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 6, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Buda Musique
• ASIN: B00000DDMB
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,027 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #1 in	Music > World Music > Africa > Ethiopia
  #3 in	Music > Jazz > Compilations > Fusion & World Fusion
  #9 in	Music > Imports > International

• This is item 4 in The Ethiopiques Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Largely the work of formidable musician-arranger Mulatu Astatqe, the 14 instrumentals here were originally issued on two LPs in 1972 and 1974 in Ethiopia, and represent a curious blend of soul-jazz and R&B with just a smattering of Ethiopian roots breaking up the stabbing horn lines, wah-wah guitars, and simmering electric piano. Curious, because at the time jazz was not very popular in Ethiopia, but that is no reflection on the quality of these primitively recorded sides of idiosyncratic Afro-funk. The grooves are long and laconic, the sound reminiscent of Miles Davis's "In a Silent Way" paired with Cannonball Adderly and Roy Ayers. But, as with all things Ethiopian, the music retains its own unique and unmistakable identity, one somewhere between a late-night jazz hole-in-the-wall group and a supper club belly-dancing combo. There are some very inventive arrangements and vigorous soloing, rendering a highly articulate and listenable music that was, at the time, doomed to go nowhere. Such is the retrospective value of reissues. --Derek Rath

Product Description
Sub-titled 'Ethiopian Jazz and Instrumental Music (1969-74)'. UK compilation drawn from the catalogs of Amha Records an d Kaifa Records. The Artists may be unfamiliar but the musical heritage contained within is hugely rewarding. Vibrant and sassy urban pop, Arabic elements mixing sinuously with low down funk 'n' roll. Standard jewel case. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethiopiques 4--Best of series I've heard, September 16, 2004

By	jqr "Know what free advice is worth" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews

This is the first of the Ethiopiques series I bought and it still stands up, five years later, as my favorite. After losing my original copy last year I finally managed to borrow it from the Brooklyn Public Library.

When I listened to it (for the first time in 12 months) I was swept up once again just like every time I've listened to this disc. The melodies are beautiful, across the board. The musicianship is incredible. And there is a wistful, pentatonic sound that suffuses the whole album and, for me, encapsulates a certain kind of regretful feeling.

You will not be sorry to add this disc to your collection.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A direction for the future, March 15, 2000

By	nadav haber (jerusalem Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Listening to the three instrumentals on Ethiopiques 1, I was prepared for what I heard on this CD. The music here is exclusively traditional Ethiopian pentatonic melodies arranged in a new and creative style. Except for the wonderful Tizita, new names are given to the songs, which is misleading, since they are not original Astatke's compositions. I enjoy the quiter and slower arrangements, when you can hear the distinctive sound of the soloists. Where are all of these musicians today ? It seems that the Mangistu revolutions has done permanent damage to the music and the musicians, since Ethiopian music after 1975 has nothing of the creativeness heard here. Today I believe that Ethiopian musicians should look back to these recordings for inspirations and try to pick up where they were stopped. This is goldmine to those who look for ways to develop Ethiopian music while keeping close to the roots.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting Find..., June 24, 2000

By	J. Turner (Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was smitten when I heard a cut off this disk on a "left of the dial" radio station in Boston and immediately tracked down a copy. I was not disappointed. The entire album has a fantastic musicality to it that is hard to describe, tradition and the exotic combined gracefully and interestingly. My sole complaint is that the sound quality on a few of the cuts (late 60s, early 70s recordings) is a bit spotty, which induces a little ear fatigue - after about the third consecutive listening. But I consider that a quibble. I recommend very hightly.