At the end of the 1990s, the French label Buda Musique brought to light the richness of modern Ethiopian music, an approach continued by (among others) Strut, Awesome Tapes From Africa, today Mississippi Records which, after presenting two essential albums of the composer Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru (a third is expected in February), reissues for the first time the only duo album by singers Aselefech Ashine and Getenesh Kebret, here accompanied by the Army Band. In addition to the grooves familiar to fans of what we call Ethio-jazz, there are compositions by Teshome Sisay (his flute playing is a revelation) that are surprisingly pop, as if the musicians had their ears glued to each other. on what was happening at the same time (1976) on the Western music scene. Sweet pop-rock in the orchestrations of Kenawttecadence and quasi-reggae bass line on the splendid Wegenne, the vocal harmonies of Ashine and Kebret radiating joviality. For months now, this album has been adding color to our gray days.
Click here to view an excerpt.
To watch on video