Ethio-Jazz

There’s been a fair amount of hype about Mulatu Astatke, with plays on Gilles Peterson’s show and strong presence in Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers. It’s soft and gentle lilting music - exotic in tone, but very accessible groove-based jazz. Take Tony Allen and the urgency out of a 70s Fela recording, swap Yoruba for Amharic, add in a dose of melancholy melody and you’ve got it. Best served through a dusty gramophone on a humid veranda with cicadas and G&T.

Mulatu Astatke - Ene Alantchi Alnorem
Mulatu Astatke – Yekermo Sew (a minor-key version of "Song For My Father" by Horace Silver).
Mulatu Astatke – Tezeta
Mulatu Astatke – Yegelle Tezeta

In a similar vein here are some other nice tunes, with vocals, from the excellent Ethiopiques compilations:

Seyoum Gèbrèyès & Wallias Band - Mètch Ené Terf Fèlèghu
Hirut Bèqèlè & Police Orchestra - Ewnètègna Feqer
Alèmayèhu Eshèté & Shèbèlé's Band - Tashamanalètch
Ayaléw Mèsfin & Black Lion Band - Gedawo

While we’re on an Ethiopian theme I’d like to plug a couple great London places:

Lalibela – in Tufnell Park – is one of my favourite restaurants: rich food in a warm atmosphere with low tables and decorated walls. They have all the signature Ethiopian dishes and are by far the best of the 5 or so Ethiopian places I’ve tried in London and New York.

Menelik – on Caledonian road – is another restaurant although I’ve not eaten there. It’s special for the live music (Ethiopian torch songs over 80s synths with body-popping) and late closing on a Saturday night.

Every taxi driver I've ever had in Dallas has been Ethiopian.