Mulatu Astatke was born in Ethiopia in 1943. He is an innovative multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and the originator of a form of music he calls ethio-jazz. Mulatu Astatke's music is impossible to categorise. There are the obvious Ethiopian influences and then there are the jazz influences, reflecting the time he spent in the UK and the US. It's a predominantly instrumental style that first shook up the Addis music scene back in the late 1960s and early 70s, reached new audiences thanks to the success of the Ethiopiques albums, and is still evolving. Last year, Astatke gave his first live show in the UK in more than 15 years, backed by the London-based Heliocentrics collective.
MULATU ASTATKE & The Heliocentrics
Live from Cargo, London
17th April 2008
ulatu Astatke - Vibes and Percussion
Malcolm Catto - Drums
Jake Ferguson - Bass
Jack Yglesias – Percussion
Adrian Owusu – Guitar
Finn Peters - Tenor Sax
Byron Wallen - Trumpet
Joel Yennior - Trombone
James Arben – Tenor & Baritone sax
Ollie Parfitt - Keyboards
The African bandleader joined them again for an intriguing studio collaboration which has resulted in this amazing album.
Probably a bit corny but yes listening to Mulatu Astatke really does take you away to a special place...
