Ethio Jazz - Mulatu Astatke (LEARN TO PLAY!) Dèwèl (Bell), Tezeta (Nostalgia) - Kool KordZ LXXXIII

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Ethio Jazz - Mulatu Astatke (LEARN TO PLAY!) Dèwèl (Bell), Tezeta (Nostalgia) - Kool KordZ LXXXIII (#83)

Explaining two modes from the great Mulatu Astatke
Dèwel (Bell) C,Eb,F#,G,B
Tezeta (Nostalgia) Eb,F,G,Bb,C


Ethiopiques (Buda Series)
Ethiopiques, Vol. 4
1969-1974

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 highly articulate and listenable music that was, at the time, doomed to go nowhere. Such is the retrospective value of reissues. --Derek Rath


In the Ethiopian musical world, Mulatu Astatqé is a totaly unique personality, a legend unto himself. For 30 years, he has been an inescapabe presence. His true singularity resides in his efforts in instrumental music in a country where musical culture and tradition are strangers to it. Jim Jarmush included some of these hypnotic instrumentals to great use in the soundtrack of « Broken Flowers ».

PDF's of some of mine and others ideas
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gQJYzX5XK7ElKSvQIDAk7GINoBqEvLb8?usp=sharing

This episode is sponsored by Hakim Stout, Harar Beer Factory.