Live at " Fiest'A Sete" (Théätre de la Mer, Sete, France), on the 5th of August 2008.
Despite a 1948 Imperial edict banning the distribution of Ethiopian pop music, Amha Eshete launched a record label,Amha Records, and released 103 singles and a dozen albums by Ethiopian artists between 1969 and 1975. In addition to making Ethiopian music known throughout the world, Eshete helped to spark a modern period of creativity in his homeland. During an interview in the early-1990s, Eshete said, "I had a gut feeling that it was the right thing to do. I took the risk.". The governmental resistance against Eshete's efforts proved ultimately insurmountable. By the mid-1990s, Eshete had emigrated to the United States.
Ethioda(Montpellier) is a group that revisits the Ethiopian jazz through original compositions, improvisations and electro atmospheres. The Ethio-jazz whose golden age is in the 70s (remember Mahmoud Ahmed and his "Ere Mela Mela") leaves reappear East, funk and reggae sounds.
1. Ethioda - En plein dans le Nil (4:56) 2. Ethioda - Metche New (4:24) 3. Ethioda - Musicawi Silt (5:13) 4. Ethioda - Farenj (4:34)
This live recording documents the brief period around our second trip to East Africa in Winter 2010, a journey that took our Ethio-groove collective across the world to share our interpretations of 1970s-era brass band-style Ethiopian funk. During this time we played a five-part hometown residency, a cosmopolitan Addis Ababa nightclub, and one of the largest music festivals in Africa. Along the way, we once again collaborated with dear friends and outstanding traditional artists: Melaku Belay and his group Fendika.
The flamingo is a majestic bird that thrives in the volcanic lake regions of East Africa's Great Rift Valley. Like many African animals, mystery and myths surround the origins of this long-necked pink bird. Our "flamingoh" is no exception: Flaming feathers (re)birthed from a breaking dawn. A dawn that rips open the sky.
The four tracks offered here are just the beginning: we have a documentary, featuring our escapades with Fendika, and a full-length live album on the way. This is our dawn: goh qeddede.
released 04 September 2010 Bruck Tesfaye - vocals Stacey Cordeiro - accordion Kaethe Hostetter- five-string violin Jonah Rapino - electric violin Danny Mekonnen - tenor and baritone saxophones Abye Osman - alto saxophone David Harris- trombone Brendon Wood - guitar Arik Grier - sousaphone PJ Goodwin - electric bass Keith Waters - drums guests Selamnesh Zemene - vocals Asrat Ayalew- kebero (traditional drums)
1. Debo Band - Musicawi Silt [Girma Beyene] (6:02)
2. Debo Band - Belomi Benna [Abrar Abde/Mahmoud Ahmed] (4:40)
3. Debo Band - Mignoten Man Yawkal [Seyfu H. Mariam/Tezera H. Miuchael] (4:06)
The Imperial Tiger Orchestra's repertoire consists of revamped remakes of songs from the golden age of Ethiopian music: a powerful horn section, deadly percussions and relentless keyboards provide a merciless and efficient instrumental reinterpretation and improvisation based on original vocal songs. Preserving the natural beauty of melodies and Ethiopian sound while exploring uncharted territory, playing with textures and dynamics, adding distortions and noise to complete beautiful pieces, the self-proclaimed counterfeiters embrace dark hypnotic rhythms, obsessive basslines and grooves from electronic music. Far from any purist notions, the musicians surprise and delight with traditional Thaï "phin" guitar mixed into traditional ethiopian "kebero" percussions. Just one example among many others. It's groove experimentation, it's improvisational heat.
Originator of the classic Ethiopiques series which started it all, Francis Falceto invited The Orchestra to play Addis Abeba's Musiques Ethiopiennes in 2009. Not only they convinced the locals but they also played with the likes of Melaku Belaye, Selamnesh, Zinash or Mesele Asmamaw. As Francis said afterward "the Genevan act was the big sensation of last year's festival".
Follow-up to last year’s acclaimed EP Addis-Abeba, Mercato is the debut album by Swiss band Imperial Tiger Orchestra, the finest connoisseurs and grooviest performers of Ethiopian music from the Golden Age.
Raphaël Anker, trumpet player from Geneva, one day decides to gather musicians for a live performance revisiting the golden age of Ethiopian music, the sound of Tlaloun Gessesse, Getatchew Mekurya, Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed and other legends. It’s 2007, and the experience is so memorable that the one shot happening becomes a band: Imperial Tiger Orchestra, a nod to the Imperial Bodyguard Band from Addis-Abeba and to a classic line from Monthy Python’s The Meaning of Life. A tiger – in Africa? …Well it doesn’t sound very likely…
Consisting of members with very diverse backgrounds (free jazz, noise experimentations, contemporary music, re-invented psychedelic music, strange pop, bizarre rock) the Orchestra tests the grounds with an EP and a 7″ breaking the boundaries of genres followed by a trip to Addis-Abeba in 2009 where they perform with local luminaries and learn about the large diversity of Ethiopian music. A life-changing experience which brings them back to the studio for their debut album: Mercato.
Overseen with flair by Ethiopian music expert Jeoren Visse, Mercato is a mesmerizing re-interpretation of Ethiopian music’s golden age mixed with the digitalized themes that appeared in the 80s and filtered through the eclectic influences of the Orchestra. Instruments such as the kebero (the most iconic percussion instrument of the country), the Indian dholak, the Thai cymbal, the traditional Thai phin, or the krar (an Ethiopian lyre) follow hypnotizing drum patterns and layers of MIDI sounds. It’s a fascinating retro-futuristic piece of music, close yet totally different from the songs that inspired the band. It’s progressive Ethiopian rock!
This new record undoubtedly confirms the band’s wider knowledge of Ethiopia’s musical diversity, while allowing them to express their desire of choosing a route not taken by many. Whether it’s saluting the phenomenal Mahmoud Ahmed on the splendid “Lale Lale”, re-interpretating the classic wedding theme “Shinet”, or taking Martha Ashagani’s “Zoma” to new heights, the Orchestra always does it with a unique vision while at the same time honoring the originals. Popular songs magically become classy instrumentals. Thunderous rhythms and feverish hooks, down tempo moments and fast paced epiphanies, electronic sounds and ambient nirvanas, Mercato explores multiples paths and never loses its warm groove, from “Yedao”, the Rahel Yohannes cover that starts the record, to the collaboration with Bethelem Dagnachew whose high pitched voclas close the full-length in the most enchanting way.
SELECTED QUOTES FOR PREVIOUS EP, ADDIS-ABEBA :
“Fabulous release!!! So fresh to hear this in my inbox instead of mindless minimal & noise for deaf & dumb kids. wonderful wonderful wonderful!!! thanX” Trevor Jackson
“Beautiful music. Perfect for my headphones and sunsets/sunrises. Thanks ” Soul Clap
“I Adore! Superb fusion modern/traditional” Laurence Pierre (France Inter)
“Wonderful” Nick Warren
“Yes! Thats exactly what I need right now! Some raw, ethiopian Funk mixed with the best grooves this world has to offer…essential! Save the Tigers!” Quarion
“What a wonder. Superb” Laurent Garnier
“Love it – powerful music” Sinden
“wow. It’s like mulatu in a time machine. love the interpretation and love the finished sound.” Scattermish.
Dawit Tesfamariam is eritrean saxophone player. Got his album "Saturday Night" from 2004, and that's all I know about him. If you have any piece of information about this excellent musician, just let me know, and I will post it here.
I like his album very much. Rip is not perfect, but who cares. His music is modern, melodic and relaxing. Enjoy.
Enamored by saxophonist Getatchew Mekuria's Ethiopiques 14 CD "The Negus of Ethiopian Sax", The Ex invited Mekuria to play at their 25th anniversary party in November, 2004 at Paradiso in Amsterdam. Mekuria's career stretches back to 1948, and though in his 70's, this was his first time out of Ethiopia. The results were compelling, so much so that The Ex and Mekuria decided to tour France together. So pleased were both that when Mekuria suggested recording a CD with The Ex they jumped at the chance, each choosing material with distinctive Ethiopian flavor, but which allowed both to remain true to their own music. With an added horn section, and Cor Fuhler on organ for 3 pieces, this magnificent CD is the result, an excellent extension to both The Ex and Mekuria. Includes a 32 page booklet with Mekuria's history, lyrics, and photos.
Mekuria began his musical studies on traditional Ethiopian instruments such as the krar and the masenqo, and later moved on to the saxophone and clarinet. Upon reaching adolescence, he began his professional career in 1949 as a part of the Municipality Band in Addis Ababa. In 1955 he joined the house band at Addis' Haile Selassie I Theatre, and in 1965 joined the famous Police Orchestra. He was also one of the first musicians to record an instrumental version of shellela, a genre of traditional Ethiopian vocal music sung by warriors before going into battle.
Mekuria took the shellela tradition seriously, often appearing onstage in a warrior's animal-skin tunic and lion's mane headdress. He continued to refine his instrumental shellela style, recording an entire album in 1970, Negus of Ethiopian Sax, released on Philips Ethiopia during the heyday of the Ethiojazz movement. Mekuria continued to work alongside many of the biggest orchestras in the Ethiopian capital, accompanying renowned singers Alemayehu Eshete, Hirut Beqele, and Ayalew Mesfin.
Mekuria reached an international audience when his album Negus of Ethiopian Sax was re-released as part of the Ethiopiques CD series. Mekurya's playing style has been compared to free jazz, but developed in isolation from it during the early 1950s. Mekurya has said he is unfamiliar with either Ornette Coleman or Albert Ayler.
The album Negus of Ethiopian Sax caught the ears of Dutch avant-garde/punk band The Ex who invited the septuagenarian sax player to perform at their 25th anniversary show in Amsterdam in November 2004. In turn, Mekuria asked the Ex to be the backup band for his 2006 album, Moa Anbessa. The Ex and Mekuria toured The Netherlands, Belgium and France together in 2006 and 2007, and then the United States in 2008 and Canada in 2009.
Getatchew Mekuria has added his distinctive sound to collaborations with numerous other contemporary artists, including British Tamil singer Susheela Raman and Boston jazz ensemble Either/Orchestra. He still lives in Addis Ababa, and regularly performs at the Sunset Bar at the Sheraton Addis.
Getatchew Mekuria, The Ex + Friends
Y'Anbessaw Tezeta
Getatchew Mekuria (tenor saxophone),
Arnold de Boer (trumpet),
Terrie Hessels (guitar),
Andy Moor (guitar),
Xavier Charles (clarinet),
Ken Vandermark (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet),
Brodie West (alto saxophone),
Joost Buis (trombone),
Wolter Wierbos (trombone),
Colin McLean (bass)
Recorded December 6/7 2011, February 24/28 2012, April 5/23 2012 in Jottum, Wormerveer, Holland, and May 3 2012 in Fendika, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
The French quintet uKanDanZ , a self-described "Ethiopian Crunch Music" ensemble, is a multi-national group playing high-energy ethnic jazz/noise rock with melodies inspired by Ethiopian folk and pop music. They are fronted by the considerable vocal prowess of Asnake GUEBREYES, and sport a very lively ensemble sound, often danceable, sometimes dissonant, always rhythmic.
uKanDanZ... a unique style, an unusual meeting between an electric quartet and Asnake Guebreyes, charismatic leadsinger originates from the vibrant music scene in Addis Abeba. Their music is inspired by traditional and popular Ethiopian songs. uKanDanZ has a real crunch energy. Between rock, jazz, noise... With impertinence, they rock it wildly. Without compromise. Guitar, saxophone, keyboards, drums and vocals shuffle our bearings. What a pleasure! The stage presence of uKanDanZ swings alternatelybetween energy and emotion... then the public, transcended, dances and shivers.
Lionel MARTIN provides a very visible tenor sax presence, tying in a jazz element, and Damien CLUZEL contributes guitar (as baritone guitar) with strong evidence of Rock-In-Opposition-like stylings. Fred ESCOUFFIER handles keyboard duties, and Guilhem MEIER keeps the drums busy yet funky.
Their first album, "Yetchalal", was released in early 2013, produced by the band.
Tiny pathetic insect accidentally imported from North America in the early 70's, the tiger of the plane-trees (in French: Le Tigre des Platanes) reveals itself to be a fearsome parasite that undermines by the bark the majestic alignment of plane-trees edging the French boulevards and national roads. How clever! Le Tigre (…des Platanes) is also an acoustic and poisonous quartet that undermines and recycles in its own insolent way various everlasting kinds of music. Good for them. Trumpet, bugle, tuba, sousaphone, saxophones, voices, melodica and Drums, I know it makes more than 4 but some of them are polyglots.
The story
In 2001, Le Tigre des Platanes discovers the Ethiopique Collection and includes in its eclectic song book some chosen pieces by Mulatu Astatqé, Théshomé Metéku, amongst other, that it interprets in its own somewhat insolent way. In 2005, Francis Falceto, brilliant designer of the Ethiopic series, received a pirate recording of the Tigre des Platanes and got in touch with the quartet. In January 2006 Francis Falceto invited the Tigre des Platanes to participate to the Festival International of Ethiopian music. That's when the story begins…
2007 creation
Etenèsh Wassié / Le Tigre des Platanes ethio-jazz-experience
The challenge of this creation is - on the groundwork of the magnificent Ethiopian "standards", the Ambassel, the Tezeta… - to explore completely, in total integrity, the new and unknown territory laid ahead of the 5 musicians. A world made of the real grand total of their strong personalities.
Beside the tribute and the accompaniment of a great Azmari singer by four European musicians, it is an authentic Journey, with all the questioning implied, we're taken along at each gig. So let's go!
Since its very beginning, the Tigre des Platanes has been concerned with Journey. Such as the pathetic insect from which it gets its name, imported by accident for North America in the early 70's, the music of the quartet from Toulouse stigmatizes the intermarrying, the importation, the impurity of cultural intermingling, the invasion, the embezzlement. All this in a muddle highly claimed!
Le Tigre des Platanes retied with one of his multiple sources of inspiration and flew off to Addis Ababa in January 2006 to participate to the International Festival of Ethiopian music. He came back refilled with a brand new energy, enriched by the journey and the encounters. The songbook of Ethiopian origin's pieces reinterpreted by the Tigre (…des platanes) made a leap and generated a new artistic drive, infusing some Ethiopian musicians with the desire of a deep-rooted collaboration, ready to play the game of real confrontation. In 2007, Etenèsh Wassié took up the challenge. "Eyes half shut, Eténèsh lets her voice guide her where it takes her (takes us), thrilling, digging, colossal little sister of such a Piaf and a Billie Holiday. But the register of tears wouldn't be enough for her, and she might as well, without warning, hasten the tempo after a ballade we would have wished endless."
Francis Falceto
01 - Yékatit (Mulatu Astaqté) 10:42 02 - Keep Your Laws / Off My Body (Dog Faced Hermans) 6:02 03 - Yézémèd Yébaèd (Téshomé Météku) 7:50 04 - Roland Alfonso (Roland Alfonso) 7:56 05 - You Wastin' My Time (Roscoe Mitchell) 5:26 06 - Zombie (Fela Anikulapo Kuti) 9:04 07 - BubbleHouse (Medesky, Martin, Wood) 7:14 08 - Clever White Youth (Marc Ribot) 6:17 09 - Walk On The Wild Side (Lou Reed) 7:13 10 - Untitled 3:05
Marc Démereau : saxophones, melodica and screamophone Fabien Duscombs : Drums Piero Pépin : trumpet, bugle, melodica Mathieu Sourisseau : acoustic bass and sousaphone 1 to 6 : Live in "La Mounède" (Toulouse) 27/11/2006. 7 to 9 : Live in Calvi (Corse) 11/2007 Mixed By – Piero Pepin (tracks: 7 to 9) Recorded By – Hugues Marmet (tracks: 1 to 6), Jeff Manuel (tracks: 7 to 9)
Guzo
is the debut release of young Ethiopian pianist Samuel Yirga. Against the odds,
Samuel found his way to music school in Addis Ababa and despite still being in
his 20s and only having left music school relatively recently, he has developed
at a pace remarkable for someone of his age.
He has gone on to become one of
Ethiopia's most promising young musicians and composers and in recent years,
Samuel has gained wider international recognition through his touring and
recording with Ethio-fusion group Dub Colossus.
The
title, Guzo, means "journey" in Amharic, the official working
language of Ethiopia.
Recorded partly in Addis Ababa and partly in the
UK
at Real World Studios, it is the product of his years experimenting with the
music of his roots and the outside influences of American jazz (particularly
Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock), Latin, and classical music. It explores the
traditional musical history of Ethiopia,
the more modern Ethiojazz that has brought his country's music to international
attention, ventures into big-band brass ensembles, moves through soul and funk,
and then simmers with the deeply impassioned solo piano tracks. Whilst the solo
piano pieces are introspective and deeply felt, Samuel has enlisted some great
singers and instrumentalists from Ethiopia,
Europe and the Caribbean. Featured vocalists
are the Creole Choir of Cuba, a Cuban choir whose songs go back to their
Haitian roots; Mel Gara, a British singer whose origins are in Iraq; and
Nicolette, a Nigerian-British singer, famous for her collaborations with
Massive Attack.
While
Sammy has been influenced by American jazz and funk, he also wanted to record
some tunes which showed the great range of traditional music in Ethiopia. On
these tracks, which he recorded in Addis
Ababa, he was joined by some of the country's best young
traditional instrumentalists.
"His
world is opening up," says Dubulah (aka Nick Page), the British musician
and producer behind Transglobal Underground, Syriana and Dub Colossus and also
producer of Guzo, "He's feeling his way around and this recording is a
statement of where he's intending to go and what he has to offer. I think the
result will surprise people."
'Guzo'
is both bold and sensitive. It is the start of Samuel Yirga's musical journey
and a platform to showcase the extraordinary skill as both musician and
composer of this emerging young talent. The album's roots might be firmly in
the Ethiojazz of Samuel's homeland, but this young man from Addis has opened up
a whole new door on a musical genre and region.
Tracklisting
1.
Abet Abet: is a traditional love song which features the raw and melodic notes
of the Ethiopian one-stringed fiddle, the messenqo. Recorded in Addis, Sammy is
accompanied by some of Ethiopia's
best young traditional instrumentalists.
2.
Tiwista: this is another well-known Ethiopian song and means 'nostalgia'. The
tune is arranged with Sammy's own jazz-influenced base line. The melody is led
by a subtle but powerful saxophone which weaves in and out of the piano through
the track.
3.
Ferma Ena Wereket: This tune's title means 'We don't need paper to love each
other'. "Everyone can sing about love," says Sammy, "but the way
you describe it is what's important." This track is a controversial
statement about marriage.
4.
Ye Bati Koyita: - a solo piano piece. The title means "A Time in
Bati" - Bati is a town in northern Ethiopia, and also the name of the
musical scale Samuel plays. Always the innovator, Samuel plays it not with the
original time signatures in which it was written, but swapping between
different timings to keep the tune fresh. The result is a mature, intricate
take on an old Ethiopian melody which ripples with classical and jazz
influences.
5.
Nou Se Soleil: - Vocal introduction to I am the Black Gold of the Sun, sung by
The Creole Choir of Cuba.
6.
I am the Black Gold of the Sun: This song features guest vocalists The Creole
Choir of Cuba, Nicolette and Mel Gara and is a re-working of the 1970s
psychedelic soul classic. The three sets of vocals are underpinned by the
funk-laden chords and flourishes of Sammy's jazz-infused piano playing. Page
chose the song to cover because of Sammy's love of 1970s and '80s American
music, and brought in those artists because together they told the story of a
journey from Africa to the Caribbean, via the Middle East and Europe.
The song brings with it the sunshine of the Caribbean,
carried by the uplifting rich vocals of the Choir, as well as the urban tones
of the British-based singers.
7.
Dance With the Legend: a solo piano piece, which takes its inspiration from a
song by Ethiopia's
great singer Tilahun Gessese. The tune swings with a lilting rhythm and ripples
with classical and jazz influences.
8.
My Head: Recorded in the UK,
with the regular Dub Colossus horn section, this track is an upbeat latin
number.
9.
Drop Me There: This piano solo written by Sammy features three of Ethiopian
music's distinctive melodic scales and was written at Real World Studios last
winter. "It was very quiet there," says Sammy of his time at Real
World, "so I could really feel every note when I played."
10.
The Blues of Wollo: Based on a famous Ethiopian song called Ambassel, featuring
both traditional and modern instruments. Recorded in Addis, with wonderful
keening vocals from Genet Masresha.
Bonus
Track
11.
African Diaspora: featuring and co-written by Nicolette, African Diaspora is a
melancholic song which demands "Africa,
why are you letting your people leave?" The song reverberates with muted
horns and the gentle tones of Sammy's piano playing.
Reviews
...young
Ethiopian pianist who blends his soul and jazz influences with music of his
homeland.
(Guzo)
stacks up well next to the best music of swinging Addis. His three solo piano
pieces show huge range: "Drop Me There" is crystalline and
delicate..."Dance with the Legend" is as fluid as Keith Jarrett in Koln.
Downbeat
4 **** (USA)
No.
2 in Rhapsody's Top 10 World Albums...
Sometimes
an album just takes your breath away. Swirling together contemporary jazz and
Ethiopian grooves with a graceful boldness and elegant subtlety that makes this
Addis Ababa-born pianist's youth hard to believe, Guzo lures you in from the
first creeping...
Rhapsody (Online USA)
Yirga's
debut offers surprise after surprise.
Samuel
Yirga is a pianist from Ethiopia
whose debut record "Guzo"sits somewhere in the fertile ground where
jazz mingles with R&B and funk to create soulful beauty. ...Yirga's
appetite is big, and each surprise within Guzo renders easy comparisons
useless. Yirga's debut offers surprise after surprise.
Los Angeles Times (USA)
CD
of the year...Otherworldly jazz from young Ethiopian pianist with dizzying
potential
This
is both a bang up-to-the-minute album, but also a throwback to the glory days
of Ethiopian jazz in the late 1960s and 1970s... the balance of instrumentation
between brass, percussion and piano is a thing of wonder. ... the potential is
dizzying and his joy in playing transmits wonderfully to the listener.
The
Arts Desk (Online)
one
of the most exciting and innovative jazz players in the world.
(Samuel
Yirga's) classical sensibilities fused with the native folk sound has made this
young artist one of the most exciting and innovative jazz players in the world.
Huffington
Post (USA)
Samuel
Yirga: A Prodigy Reviving Ethiopian Jazz
Yirga
has had to fight for his right to be himself, and in the end, the voice and
vision of a distinctive composer shines through in this impressive debut.
NPR
Music Online (USA)
...masterfully
produced...
...his
new album Guzo is a talented blend of sounds...and sparkling cameo
performances.
The
Africa Report (UK)
...fierce
debut...an essential purchase for anyone...
who
has fallen for the jazzier end of the ethiopiques spectrum. Among the
highlights here - the swinging groove of My head...and I Am The Black Gold of
the Sun.
Mojo (UK)
Powerful
and beautiful...9 out of 10
Stereoplay (Germany)
...Yirga
should be an exciting prospect to discover for any jazz fan.
One
moment he's pouring out emotive, classical jazz, the next fusing traditional
Ethiopian sounds and Ethiojazz with sparse piano and elements of funk, or
working alongside soulful guest vocalists.
Loughborough
echo online (UK)
...rich
beyond its measure.
...some
outstanding jazz soloing...
The
Weekend Australian (Australia)
...an
enjoyably diverse set as leader.
Guzo
ranges from ruminative solo piano to the ebullient party blast of My Head...
The Creole Choir of Cuba join him for an epic take on the psychedelic soul
groove I Am The Black Gold of The Sun.
The
Times (UK)
Guzo
- Track 5 on Songlines Top of the World
...It's
not often that one is greeted by such a strong debut, so effortlessly shot
through with intelligence and creativity. ...a project that successfully takes
the tunes and arrangements of Ethiopia's
much-documented golden age and updates the into a modern setting, consolidating
their originality and power in the process.
Songlines (UK)
...
it's a great introduction
If
you're already a fan of Ethiojazz, this is as good an indication as any of its
new direction and if you're unfamiliar with the genre, it's a great introduction.
The
Morning Star (UK)
Dub
Colossus's young Ethiopian pianist is an incandescent talent.
The
Independent (UK)
Summer
anthem? Recon so.
(I
am the Black Gold of the Sun)...some sublime vocals from The Creole Choir Of Cuba..
Echoes (UK)
...His
talent is remarkable
...influences
of blues and funk clearly audible in the slower parts, while the frantic
rhythms gripped listeners with anxiety.
Spaceship
News, Perth
(Live review from The Ellington Jazz
Club)
....an
impressive album.
The
Guardian (UK)
...accomplished
debut.
Yirga
draws on his country's best-known musical currency - the dark flavours of
Seventies Ethio-Jazz - on this accomplished debut.
The
Daily Telegraph (UK)
...solo
mixture of abstraction and funky jamming
...solo
mixture of drifting Monkish abstraction and HeadHunter-styled Hammond
and Rhodes funky jamming. 'I Am The Black Gold
Of The Sun' benefits from the Creole Choir Of Cuba's blissful gospel singing.
The
Financial Times (UK)
Impressive
debut from Ethio-jazz pianist - 7/10
Twentysomething
Yirga is a man on a mission - to become Ethiopia's greatest pianist. He's
surely halfway there. The best tracks here align him convincingly with the
rediscovered 'Ethio Jazz' of the 1960's - "Twista", with its funky
one-string fiddle, both entice.
Uncut
Magazine (UK)
Incredible
... this album has absolutely blown my socks off!
Gilles
Peterson - BBC 6 Music (UK)
An
impressive debut album that attests to the originality of its author.
Guzo,
the debut set by Ethiopian pianist Samuel Yirga, is such a set. In short, this
is an impressive debut album that attests to the originality and expressiveness
of its author.
BBC
Music Online (UK)
It
goes without question that Yirga has talent...Yirga is a performer.
...his
debut solo album Guzo is sure to launch him straight into the forefront. It
goes without question that Yirga has talent; every track demonstrates
virtuosity and jazz know-how....Yirga is a performer. The album oozes with
feeling and heart. Every track is so full of artistic sensibility that it's
hard not to be sucked up in the performance. ...piano solos like 'Yeh Bati
Koyita' and 'Drop Me There', which are painfully beautiful. ...rarely is an
album able to bring it's audience along for a passionate ride, full of ups and
downs. Guzo does exactly that. And if Yirga can perform with such spirit on an
album, I can only imagine what it would be like to hear him live, something I
am definitely looking forward to.
NOMAD's
Playlist (Australia)
...melodic
themes that touched the heart.
Though
sparingly unleashed, his deliberate, eastern-inflected solos were thoroughly
transporting. The frantic final selection, 6 and 4, married a northern
Ethiopian mode to a southern rhythm...propulsive interplay with bassist Yoseph
Hailemariam Bekele and star drummer Nathaniel Zewde sounded like top-flight
funk in anybody's language.
The
Age & The Canberra Times (Live review from Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
International Jazz Festival) (Australia)
...one
of the most thrilling bands on the world stage.
His
opening solo piece was staggering in its invention, facility and narrative
skill. He led us through a fantasia of idioms, drawing on Ethiopian, jazz,
Cuban, funk and classical...with the ease of one with a deep understanding of
the convergence of their essences, rather than the disparity of their surfaces.
On Tiwista his improvising was seismic in its power and transporting in its
range... Feleke Woldemariam (tenor saxophone), Nathaniel Zewde (drums) and
Yoseph Hailemariam (electric bass), musicians worthy of Yirga's singular gifts.
Woldemariam played with a fluttering quality to his notes...suddenly the
commonplace tenor saxophone became exotic and carried immense emotional sway.
The explosive Abet Abet...Rhythmically the piece metamorphosed into the sort of
funk that would lead some people to lock up their children rather than let them
be corrupted by such raw, visceral and wanton music. breathtaking in its
intricacy and complexity, while maintaining inexorable grooves.
The
Brisbane Times (Live review from The Blue Beat Jazz Club) (Australia)
...staggeringly
brilliant album.
Samuel
Yirga is a bright new musical flame who shows that Ethiopia's rich jazz heritage is
still alive and thriving in his young hands.
Sydney
Morning Herald (Australia)
One
of the world's more remarkable young pianists is a 26-year-old Ethiopian who
did not even touch a piano until he was 16.
...highly
diverse - variously solo or ensemble, instrumental or vocal, 'pop' or not. Guzo
includes three jaw-dropping piano-only cuts; they do not imitate Keith Jarrett
but are in the same league as his solo flights.
Preview
- The Weekend Planet Radio (Australia)
....Yirga
is such an exciting artist
...that
deserves the recognition he is getting. Guzo is just a taster of what is yet to
come from this talented artist.
Musika.uk.com
(UK)
"It
has all the ingredients of a masterpiece and certainly those that make it top
of my playing list. Great balance between avant garde jazz and sweet r&b
vibe in some tracks and those Ethiopian scales... all tracks are
outstanding!"
JPR
at Simply Out Of This World/Covent Garden Radio
(UK)
I
feel very privileged to have an early preview of this fantastic album." Juice FM
It
seems he's pulled out all the stops. His classical music experience shows in
his sensitive and thoughtful approach to his solo piano work like Ye Bati
Koyita and Drop Me There and at the same time can make a beautiful Charles
Stepney tune like I am the Black Gold of the Sun sound fresh yet again.
Powerful and dynamic performances on other tracks recorded with the UK and
Ethiopian musicians show off his improvisational style but I keep returning to
his solo piano work. Thoroughly rewarding album."
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