Tag Archives: 1998

Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

World music that combines jazz, African rhythms, and spiritual elements into something distinct.

Moods

Beautiful, original, sultry, spiritual – this is timeless music that transcends classification.

Thoughts

I struggle to describe this as I think boxing it into descriptors would do it a disservice. Instead I've jotted some feelings in the mood section but encourage listening during evening hours, adds to a warm atmosphere with positive spirits. More lively then not.

Great playing throughout. The solos feel a little too defined as opposed to the looseness I prefer in jazz but each has crafted them so well that they never suffer.

Classic and essential listening that welcomes revisits.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mulatu-Astatq%C3%A9-%C3%89thiopiques-4-Ethio-Jazz-Musique-Instrumentale-1969-1974/release/724788

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwLr7FtBlE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZuX3XBGAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjZngfgv10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgilX6AUClY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGeqiB73H90

Spotify


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Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

Description: Album Review of Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

jazz with funk rock chops

Moods

Top notch jazz-funk

Thoughts

these are long cuts that give way to extended jams. Patience is rewarding:

'the emperor' is funky strum guitar and groovy picking bass line gives way to solos from xylophone and Byrd on trumpet. It's great.

'Jamie' is a brief chilled out piece in comparison, gospel like at times with the organ.

'Little rasti' brings back the groove where things are ever so slightly dirtier (think as if it were the late show at a jazz club as opposed to a cleaner early show on 'the emperor'). Things kick off with a drum solo and then get into a groovy set of solos this time include Wawa guitar, keys and of course a very confident Byrd.

I'm hard pressed to think of better funk rock jazz from this or any of the era. On par with Miles and a must for fans of the genre.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Donald-Byrd-Ethiopian-Knights/release/890204

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtKcvoeO2vA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhiYaTLP8xM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAycZvJwtIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av4j96aEDAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvHQGXdvbDc

Spotify


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Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights

Description: Album Review of Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Gavin Bryars – Allegresco / Alaric I or II / Three Elegies

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Contemporary classical, a group of clarinets

Moods

Contemplative, rich

Thoughts

I believe this is a compilation and each piece should be considered individually:

  • allegrasco is pretty good
  • alaric I ou II is a little slow which is effectively just a boring solo
  • three elegies is the highlight which features three pieces building with repetition, a tactic only found in modern compositions. Its best displayed in part 3 where a feeling of conclusion is reached. Incorporating more and more of the orchestra.

I'll likely seek out his more regarded compositions in the future but three elegies is worth a listen for the modern classical fan.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Gavin-Bryars-Allegresco-Alaric-I-or-II-Three-Elegies/release/6525989

Listen!

Spotify


Schema Info

Gavin Bryars – Allegresco / Alaric I or II / Three Elegies

Description: Album Review of Gavin Bryars – Allegresco / Alaric I or II / Three Elegies


Rating: 3 out of 5