Legendary Ethiopian composer and musician Mulatu Astatke has been one of the most influential musicians from Africa apart from the obvious Fela Kuti. His music is a lo-fi and more cinematique version of the Western African music, combining Caribbean funk with the African tradition.

“My whole idea, was sort of fusion with Ethiopian and jazz and modern music. I started at Berklee this idea of the ‘Ethiojazz’ business. From there I came to New York and I had this group, and what I wanted to do, I did it there.” While returning to Ethiopia from NYC he brought the Hammond Organ and the Vibraphone to his country, and later on changed the whole Ethiopian music scene, by a combination of Ethiopian five scale music with jazz and fusion.

This was the first release from Brighton’s Soundway Recordings and they have made a great debut with this 4 track EP, all 4 songs are notable here, but `Ebo Lala` is the standout track, with the help of the African chant lead by Seifu Yohannes. Rest of the catalogue is interesting as well, particularly but not limited to the Orlando Julius and the Panama compilation from 1965-75 releases..

He has recently done the soundtrack for Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers movie, which has got good reviews on IMDB and elsewhere. Get these tracks and spread Mulatu’s music like the Ebola.

Mulatu Astatke – Ebo lala
Mulatu Astatke – Yekitir Tezata
The Code International – Yekermo Sew (Mulatu cover)