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The music here spans his early career, from 1965-75, after which the scene in the ‘swinging’ Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa went into decline during 18 years of dictatorship and repression. The fact that eight of the 20 tracks on this compilation also appear on Éthiopiques 4 (with another taken from volume 17, featuring the singer Tlahoun Gèssèssè) may be something of a letdown. However, the rest of the material, which covers his formative years in London and New York, will be of great interest.
With its bizarre elephant trumpet intro, Spanish vocals and salsa-flavoured piano vamp, the 1966 recording I Faram Gami I Faram might easily be mistaken for someone else. But even though the earlier recording Shagu seems heavily influenced by New York’s nascent boogaloo scene (before the term had even been coined), Astatke’s pensive, playful vibraphone is unmistakeable.
The tantalisingly short Mascaram Setaba is another fascinating curiosity. Despite also showcasing Astatke’s vibes, it could almost be an outtake from Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s classic 1962 album Jazz Samba.
What’s really surprising is how Astatke managed to successfully mix such influences with full-on Ethiopian folklore; Ebo Lala bounces along to a brassy Latino groove, but also features an unhinged, growling vocal by Seifu Yohannes, and is based on a traditional Gurage folk song from southwest Ethiopia.
The set was compiled by Miles Cleret of Soundway Records, and his sleeve notes offer the usual insightful comments, many based on personal contact with the artist and his experiences in Ethiopia. It’s just a shame that almost half of these tracks will already be familiar to many. Some of this space might more usefully have been taken up by material from Astatke’s recent fine Inspiration Information 3 album, recorded with London-based band The Heliocentrics, more of the unknown early recordings, or both. --Jon Lusk
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Customer Reviews
This album is truly the perfect way to introduce yourself to this man's incredible style of music. It spans his whole career and contains some absolute gems. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in Ethio-Jazz or the world music scene, and also to those who already have a great love for it. You will not be disappointed.
this is absolutley marvellous. the first of many happy hours listening to this. cheered me right up and i wasn't even miserable.
five stars for sure. inventive, playful, glorious in every way.
i buy a lot of stuff on a whim, just to see what it sounds like, and i am not one for reviewing, but this is an exception.
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