Addis 1988

Originally released in 1992 and out of print for many years, this reissue has been remastered for vinyl and contains music originally recorded in 1988 in Addis Ababa by the mobile recording unit of the Global Music Centre, Helsinki.

Two very different bands are featured, one on each side of the LP, both with the common factor of the presence of Mulatu Astatke. Mulatu is generally acknowledged as the leading musical force in Ethio-jazz and his instrumental and arrangement skills are universally celebrated. With Ethio Stars he presents a modern take on an Ethiopian soul fusion, spread across three instrumentals and one reggae-flavoured vocal track by Getachew Kassa. Tukul Band, on the other hand, are a far more traditional outfit, albeit with an experimental edge. They are led by two electric krar players – the krar being a six-string Ethiopian lyre. They also feature an electrified traditional masinko (single-string fiddle), washint (bamboo flute) and Ethiopian drums. They make a gloriously rhythmic and evocative sound. This is a magnificent album, albeit quite a short one, contrasting two outstanding variations on Ethiopian music.