Mulatu Astatke - Mochilla presents timeless Mulatu Astatke [2010] [ethiopia]

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Mulatu Astatke - Timeless (Live)

       Ethiopian composer/arranger/vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke reached a lot of Western ears in the ‘90s when the fourth installment of the Ethiopiques series featured his work. That album presented innovative recordings from the ‘60s and ‘70s that fused jazz and Ethiopian sounds. Astatke got more exposure when some of his pieces were used in the soundtrack for Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers. 

       

       In 2009, Astatke and a fine group of American musicians performed at California State University, Los Angeles, and Timeless captures the concert. Featured players include woodwinds wizard Benny Maupin, former McCoy Tyner sideman Azar Lawrence on tenor sax, and trombonist and Tribe veteran Phil Ranelin. A number of younger players also make contributions, including keyboardist Brandon Coleman, violist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and trumpeter Todd Simon, who displays a nice feel for Ethiopian scales. 

     Astatke’s vibraphone solos are always welcome, and if you had to pick a standout track it would be “Mulatu,” where the band finds a deep groove.

1. Mulatu Astatke - Yèkèrmo Sèw (7:32)

2. Mulatu Astatke - The Radcliffe (8:29)

3. Mulatu Astatke - I Faram Gami (7:45)

4. Mulatu Astatke - Yèkatit (7:15)

5. Mulatu Astatke - Kasaléfkut Hulu (8:05)

6. Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu (7:10)

7. Mulatu Astatke - Munayé (7:47)

8. Mulatu Astatke - Yègellé Tezeta (5:24)

9. Mulatu Astatke - Ebo Lala (6:31)

Bass Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Saxophone – Bennie Maupin

Drums – Tony Austin

Drums [Hand], Percussion – Munyungo Jackson

Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass – Trevor Ware

Electric Guitar – Dan Ubick

Electric Piano, Piano, Organ – Brandon Coleman

Percussion – Alan Lightner

Tenor Saxophone – Azar Lawrence

Trombone – Joel Yennior, Phil Ranelin

Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Todd Simon

Viola – Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

Vibraphone, Percussion – Mulatu Astatke