Product Details

• Actors: Ethiopiques (Buda Series), Mulatu Astatq, Either, Orchestra
• Format: Color, DVD, Import, NTSC
• Language: English, French
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Buda Musique
• DVD Release Date: August 7, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000QGEWC0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,264 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

"Mahmoud Ahmed's voice is urgent and clear as it entrains and entwines with the unique intervals and open spaces of traditional Ethiopian melody, communicating tales of tortured love and melancholic suffering and regret in a language rich with multiple meanings andmetaphors." -- Dusted "Mahmoud Ahmed struts his acute rhythmic sensibilities--his knotty phrasing both mirroring the taut groove and providing it with ace counterpoint." -- JazzTimes "One of the jazz world's most gifted and adventurous big bands, blessed with strong individual soloists who subsume themselves to an even stronger collective sound, one that can embrace supple Latin jazz, sinewy blues, sly funk, and slippery world beat rhythms." -- Washington Post "Thrilling charts and hip juxtapositions of classic jazz, cool pop, and forward-looking original tunes." -- Billboard "Balancing the charismatic flair of the swing era with a smart and energetic eye towards the next century ... rich brass harmonies and splendidly smooth transitions ... subtle arrangements and even spicy romanticism." -- Jazziz

Ethiogroove recreates the atmosphere of Ethiopian star Mahmoud Ahmed's first encounter with the Either/Orchestra, an American big band famous for its renditions of Ethiopian standards. The DVD includes rehearsals and interviews, followed by a superb concert at the 2006 Banlieues Blues Festival. Anaïs Prosaïc skillfully captures the ensemble's subtleties on film while providing a veritable history lesson on modern Ethiopian music. Mahmoud Ahmed's earthy voice, dynamic stage presence, and funky songs combine to make him one of the greatest voices of pop music. Here, he is accompanied by the Either/Orchestra, a ten-piece jazz ensemble based in Cambridge. Founded in 1985 by saxophonist/composer Russ Gershon, the E/O combines the agility and freedom of a jazz combo, the raw power and subtle coloring of a jazz orchestra, and the deep grooves of Afro-Latin music. Now in its twentieth year, the group's continuing evolution has made it stronger and more accessible than ever.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For those who like to hear people talking over the music, September 3, 2007

By 

harsil (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mahmoud Ahmed, Mahmoud & Either Orchestra: Ethiogroove (DVD)

The music on this DVD, to the extent that you can hear it, is fantastic. Unfortunately, every single track is marred by talking heads talking over the music and interrupting it in the middle of tracks. I have never understood why someone with so little interest in music would make a music film, or what the logic is of having people talk over the music in such a film; but this DVD is a prime example of it. It's massively frustrating, and the whole DVD is ruined.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who's interested in the music on this DVD.

Addendum: As Russ says, the documentary is of interest in its own right.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Golden Opportunity Squandered, February 17, 2008

By 

Star Thrower - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahmoud Ahmed, Mahmoud & Either Orchestra: Ethiogroove (DVD)

Unfortunately, I purchased this DVD without a second thought when I stumbled upon it at a local retail outlet. Being a huge fan of the E/O, I figured this was the find of the year. I should have hesitated and checked the reviews first. The blurb on the DVD jacket is very misleading as it states that the "rehearsals and interviews are followed by a superb concert." Like the previous reviewer states, this great performance that was beautifully filmed and recorded (the sound is fantastic) was butchered by the director. Just as you are basking in the groove and soulfulness of this wonderful music, the screen splits and Russ Gershon's or Mahmoud Ahmed's commentary is inserted. This is not only jarring to the listener but just plain stupid. The only conclusion I can draw from this decision is that the director has a cynical attitude concerning the attention span of the viewer, or he was just plain thoughtless about the listener. At first I assumed this was all part of the documentary section of film, and that the full concert was to follow. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If you are an attentive listener who truly appreciates what these incredibly talented musicians are doing, you will be sorely disappointed and aggravated by this film. My only hope is that E/O leader Gershon will take matters into his own hands and produce the definitive DVD for his fans, and Mahmoud Ahmed's followers. Technical Note: This DVD is in stereo, and there is no menu . Total Time: 67 minutes.

5.0 out of 5 stars from Either/Orchestra leader Russ Gershon, January 30, 2009

By 

russ - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahmoud Ahmed, Mahmoud & Either Orchestra: Ethiogroove (DVD)

I too wish the concert had been included intact as an addition to the documentary. The documentary was intended as a kind of informative, historical piece, and has a lot of nice information. It has been shown on TV in France quite a bit and I'm sure has alerted a lot of new listeners to this music. But the music also deserves to be heard in its own right. Maybe someday...