Sketches of Ethiopia - CD

ENGLISH

For his first album released on an international label, the father of Ethio-Jazz gives us his remarkably rich music, bearing witness to his career, from his debut as a percussionist to his studies of musical composition and his collaborations with numerous jazz legends such as Duke Ellington. His influences range from jazz and Latin-American music to the traditional music of his homeland, Ethiopia. His audience expanded further in 2005 after he featured on the soundtrack for Jim Jarmusch's film Broken Flowers, bringing him "cult " status in the music world. Each time he appears on stage, his music turns the concert into a party and the urge to dance is irresistible. Conductor, arranger, master of the vibraphone and conga drums, Mulatu Astatke now plays with his group, Step Ahead, based in England. Sketches of Ethiopia was recorded in Addis-Ababa, London and at La Buissonne studios near Avignon in France. This album launches his blissful and colourful music into the world of international jazz, uniquely weaving modern groove with age-old melodies, and western classical music with Latin and afro funk rhythms.