Customer Reviews

Inspiration Information 3

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I heard about this album on NPR and bought it on impulse. I am really glad I did. This is a really interesting album that melds experimental, fusion and world music in a really interesting and yet accesible way. I love the horn work. The entire album creates this certain vibe that is cool and hip. Well worth the money for something different but not so out there that you can't relate. Perfect for someone expanding their listening horizons.

This is easily one of the best new CD's I have heard, and will undoubtedly get a lot of play from me.

I had been looking forward to this one since I heard Mulatu Astatqe was recording a new album. I had high expectations and it does not disappoint! I found out about Mulatu through Ethiopiques Vol. 4, which features his recordings from the late 60's and early 70's, recorded in Ethiopia. I am not familiar with the Jim Jarmush film or the soundtrack, so I can't comment on those. I saw Mulatu live in Los Angeles in ealy 2009 with a band comprised of Bennie Maupin, Phil Rainey, Azar Lawrence, and other top LA jazz musicians, and the show was excellent.

I was not familiar previously with the Heliocentrics. I am assuming their name is inspired by Sun Ra. On this album Mulatu plays mostly piano, although he is also a very gifted vibes player. This CD is an update of the "Ethio-jazz" (his term) of the earlier recordings, melding it with newer funk, fusion and hip-hop rhythms and sounds.

There are many examples of Afro-Jazz which meld western elements with primarily West African elements. This stands out, in no small part, because it incorporates music from the Horn of Africa. The proximity to the Middle East and North Africa is quite evident in Ethiopian music, particularly in the vocal styles. Track one of the album includes vocals from an Ethiopian singer, and is one of the album's highlights (there are no "lowlights").

Although the Ethiopian elements do add a certain exoticism to the music, this is an album that should be easily enjoyed by any fans of funk, Afro-pop, or jazz fusion with an open mind.

Do check this one out, and spread the word!

Also, do check out the Ethiopiques series, which is available on Amazon:

Vol. 4 features Mulatu Astatqe's band from the 1970's. See my review! - Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974

Vol. 1 features various artists and focuses on vocal popular music - Ethiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music

Vol. 14 features saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya. A friend saw this guy in NYC last year and says he was awesome! Ethiopiques, Vol. 14: Negus of Ethiopian Sax

This is an amazing album of Ethiopian jazz/funk. Mulatu Astatke is mostly known in the U.S. for his music used in the film "Broken Flowers."

However, I regret buying the vinyl version of this album from Amazon. Here's why: some, if not all, of Amazon's fulfillment centers do not have album shipping boxes. Instead, they throw them in a general-purpose box that is too large. Unless you like your album jackets dog-eared or bent, you'll do better by purchasing them from a dealer who knows how to ship vinyl.

Like most folks looking for more stuff from Mulatu after seeing "Broken Flowers", I was excited to find this. It's exactly where my brain wants to be right now. Amazon should really get some sample tracks up.

nonstandard ethno-jazz, quite new rhythms without too much repetition. This music solves one of the oldest philosophical problems: the unity of body, soul and mind.

Hats off the the Heliocentrics crew for hooking up with Mulatu Astake.
Hats off to the production on this recording.
My hat is off and i am getting sunburnt.

If you are a jazz head you might know of Mulatu and his Ethiopetes jazz series (from the 1960's and 70's) and their unique melodic phasing on the horns. I was quite a fan of one of the several issues with the Ethiopetes but i found the others quite difficult to listen to.

The Heliocentrics have one foot firmly rooted in Funk and it works really well on the 'one' and brings back some simple groove to what can sometimes be quite complex ethio jazz arrangements.

This Heliocentrics recording is EASY listening, with some infectious electric bass, brilliant percussion ad all layered up to showcase the unique phrasing of Mulatu Astake's style which is rooted in Ethio jazz.

I dont know why i would mention 'St germain', but for some reason it kind of reminds me of that stuff, but with a lot more creativity, but that same easy listening feel about it.

I enjoy this album very much, even more than the old recordings of Mulatu Astake and I am now a convert of the Heliocentrics and greatly look forward to their future recordings.

This album is one for the jazz head, as it is different, new and fresh....but also a really nice one for anyone on the fence wondering about the world of jazz....i guess it would classified as 'jazz' but it seems a bit too funky, too many twisted fusions to be called straight 'jazz'.

I got this album because the Heliocentrics Out There was the most creative new album I'd heard in ages, and this one doesn't disappoint. They combine well with Astatke, who I'd never heard before this--his piano playing is great.

Perhaps not as "out there" as the Heliocentrics first album--this one is slightly more oriented toward jazz, with a little less of the electro/avant-Sun Ra/funk, but the grooves here are great nonetheless. Well worth picking up.

It's an expertly made CD of Ethno - Chillout music. No more, no less. If this is what you're looking for, have fun. But the music has none of the specificity of Mulatu Astatke's other work. On the tracks he didn't write (several), "Pan - Africanism" is substituted for the Ethiopian tropes, leading to a pretty bland, if groovy result. The semi - hip, semi - scholarly liner notes are risible. Martin Denny for our time. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

3 1/2 Stars

I work with music for a living. I read a lot of reviews. This album is a true sleeper. It should be getting more press than it is. It will easily be on my top 10 list this year. Buy it! Support quality music!

This is a great updating of Mulatu's distinctive sound. The grooves are exotic, funky and feel as natural as breathing. The instrumentation changes and surprises throughout the collection. A delight from beginning to end, this will likely be on my top 10 for 2009.