| Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974 | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 23 reviews)
Sales Rank: 17702
Category: Music
Artist: Mulatu Astatke
Publisher: Buda Musique
Studio: Buda Musique
Manufacturer: Buda Musique
Label: Buda Musique
Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.4
MPN: 82964
UPC: 723723382528
EAN: 0723723382528
ASIN: B00000DDMB
Release Date: October 6, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Yekermo Sew | | • | Metche Dershe | | • | Kasalefkut Hulu | | • | Tezeta | | • | Yegelle Tezeta | | • | Munaye | | • | Gubelye | | • | Asmarina | | • | Yekatit | | • | Netsanet | | • | Tezetaye Antchi Lidj | | • | Sabye | | • | Ene Alantchi Alnorem | | • | Dewel |
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| Editorial Reviews:
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.
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Interesting ethnic jazz December 17, 2007
I've been looking for this album for years in local stores, as well as during some trips to Paris, London and so on, but I didn't thought about looking for it in the Internet until now, and I have to say that I'm a little disappointed, maybe because I was waiting for anything better than life, and I "only" got some good instrumental music from Ethiopia, almost all close to jazz, well played, with some very good ideas, reasonably well recorded (the tracks come mainly from early 1970's)... In few words, a very good record of jazz and instrumental ethiopian music, as says the subtitle of the album. Almost surely, the problem is not the record, but the expectations created by some enthusiastic reviews I'd read about it. Anyway, I think it's a recommendable work for any person interested in the subject of the compilation.
 Amazing.......! February 14, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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 January 6, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 August 30, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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. July 27, 2006
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
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."
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