Éthiopiques 4: Ethio jazz & musique instrumentale 1969-1974

This collection presents Mulatu Astatqé's foundational work in creating Ethio-jazz, a potent fusion of traditional Ethiopian pentatonic scales with American jazz, soul, and Latin rhythms. Astatqé’s distinctive vibraphone and keyboard arrangements are set against a backdrop of conga-driven percussion, funky bass lines, and expressive horn sections, defining a sound that is both exotic and modern. As the first volume in the influential 'Éthiopiques' series dedicated to a single artist, these instrumental recordings from 1969 to 1974 capture a pivotal moment of musical innovation in Addis Ababa with a warm, analog production quality.