Sketches of Ethiopia

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Sketches of Ethiopia was released in August 2013 on Jazz Village. Mulatu Astatke is accompanied by the Steps Ahead Band, which has nothing to do with the fusion group Steps Ahead. As on his previous album, Mulatu Steps Ahead, Ethiopian instruments such as the washint, the krar and the masinko can be heard.

The opening track is an arrangement of Azmari, written by Russ Gershon. The album closes with Surma, a collaboration with the Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara, who co-wrote the song with him. The Quietus heard urban club tempos alongside traditional rural folk, with Latin percussion and Afrofunk rhythms. According to The Independent, the founder of Ethio-jazz thus remains the undisputed master.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Azmari5:01Apple Music ↗
2. 2Gamo5:16Apple Music ↗
3. 3Hager Fiker6:09Apple Music ↗
4. 4Gambella6:13Apple Music ↗
5. 5Assosa Derache10:04Apple Music ↗
6. 6Gumuz6:31Apple Music ↗
7. 7Motherland Abay8:34Apple Music ↗
8. 8Surma (feat. Fatoumata Diawara)4:43Apple Music ↗
9. 9Surma (Extended Version) [feat. Fatoumata Diawara] [Bonus Track]5:04Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗