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

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

Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974,Mulatu Astatke,Buda Musique,Africa,African Jazz,Afro-Pop,Ethiopia,Ethiopian,Ethnic,Int'l & World Music,Pop,V/a Compilations,World Fusion,World Music

Average customer rating: Amazing.......! very cool and unusual Afro Jazz/Funk a pleasure every time Where have these guys been all my life. Great music, bad quality

Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974 Mulatu Astatke Manufacturer: Buda Musique ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ethiopia | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Broken Flowers: Music from the Film Ethiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music Ethio Jazz Vol. 1 Ethiopiques 20: Live in Addis Ethiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music ASIN: B00000DDMB Release Date: 1998-10-06

Tracks:

1. A Man Of Experience And Wisdom
2. When Am I Going To Reach There?
3. From All The Time I Have Passed
4. Nostalgia
5. My Own Memory
6. My Muna
7. My Gubel
8. My Asmara
9. February
10. Liberty
11. Baby, My Unforgettable Remembrace
12. My Saba
13. I Can't Live Without You
14. Bell

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

Customer Reviews:

Amazing.......!.......2007-02-14

Wow. I can't stop listening to this album..it's incredible. How did I live without it for so long? It has this mysterious, sexy, intimate, exotic, beautiful sound. My life feels just a tad more complete now. HOT

very cool and unusual Afro Jazz/Funk.......2007-01-06

I bought this CD on a whim after it was recommended by Amazon, and I really like this album. Fans of Fela and other Afro Jazz / Afro Pop will probably like this one. The difference is that this is EAST African. While the music is primarily jazz and R&B, there are very clear local influences, which sound somewhat Middle Eastern to my uninitiated Western ears. It's unlike any other CD that I've ever heard, but it's familiar sounding enough to enjoy right away.

The sound quality is what it is! It's from Ethiopia more than 30 years ago! The sound quality is relatively primitive, but it's not something that should keep the open-minded listener from thoroughly enjoying this music. I could even argue that the sound gives it another unique touch.

My daunting challenge for me now is to determine which one of the other 19 volumes of this series to get next.

a pleasure every time.......2006-08-30

This is powerful, mystical, ancient, ethereal, psychedelic stuff, wrapped in the raw familiar shapes of jazz, blues, funk, and pop. The horn melodies are dark and hypnotic, punctuated by guitar tones ranging from raw and distorted to reverb wah-wah, joined by electric piano, flute, and various percussion. I love most of the pieces, I think I realized around track #4 that this was special. And listen to track 5, the horns kick it off for the first 2 seconds, then they go away until a sax comes in at 1:22 and plays for awhile as the rhythm just pounds away in the background, finally the horns rip back in at 2:20 and keep at it until the end with a great repeating riff. The last track even approaches a sort of Stooges 'LA Blues'.
I also really love the Ethiopiques albums with Mahmoud Ahmed, I think they are #6 & 7 in the series.
The real charm of this music comes from the way it sounds, the way it was recorded. Raw and low-fi and brimming with soul, the needle pushing into the red. Dig it.

Where have these guys been all my life........2006-07-27

I got this CD after viewing Broken Flower, the movie. I loved the soundtrack and went to Amazon to find the CD. They helpfully showed me the Ethiopiques CD, and I liked their cuts on the movie soundtrack, so I thought I'd take a chance. Everyone I play it for wants to know more about them. I know very little, but love everything on this CD. I will definitly try more of their stuff. My daughter says, "this music makes me happy."

Great music, bad quality.......2006-07-09

This album has a great selection of music, but the recording quality is very bad. Try to listen to it before you buy it

Average customer rating:

Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974 Mulatu Astatke Manufacturer: Musdu ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000025046 Release Date: 1998-07-26

Tracks:

1. A Man Of Experience And Wisdom
2. When Am I Going To Reach There?
3. From All The Time I Have Passed
4. Nostalgia
5. My Own Memory
6. My Muna
7. My Gubel
8. My Asmara
9. February
10. Liberty
11. Baby, My Unforgettable Remembrace
12. My Saba
13. I Can't Live Without You
14. Bell

Album 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.

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1. Facing Future
2. Fado em Mim
3. Fra Underverdenen
4. French Cafe
5. Get Off
6. Glory Road
7. Grotesque Ashen Epitaph [EP]
8. Hanoi Rocks [Import]
9. Hednaland
10. In the Heart of the Moon

Rock Music

rock music

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