Ethiopiques Confusion

[timjim]

Just hoped this might be of interest to some people here.

I'm doing some work on a compilation of Ethiopian Groove from 1960-70s. Its far out because supposedly Ethiopian music developed in total isolation from Jamaican music (despite the common issues), yet so often the rhythms have the same feel. Take a listen at the url below. Does anyone have any ideas why? Funny old world.

[Guest]

I have a jazz record from ethiopia it must be about 40 years old. it sounds like regular jazz with amhar touch.
Getachew Mekuria is the man name i keep that record aside for someone who will rate it, i lissened just once, the styles they using sounds like pre studio 1, it sounds same from quality like this old calypso songs from tiger & other stuff (not the dancehall tiger, i mean da one from 30th)

[Guest]

oh and yea the cover favor Studio 1 in any direction. even the art work. not only the recording style.

[timjim]

I've just posted an article about this guy at www.ethiopiques.info/blog/ and to be honest I don't know what to make of him either?

Its another Ethiopian conundrum where things make sense but dont make sense.

This music is fascinating.

[Guest]

yea thanx for the info. that man have a hard life eh. the music on the record i have is really old and there was no lyrics i think, a yellow /blue cover pressed by "PHILIPPS" never knew philipps was in the music industry sameway me neva know dat company was dat old already lol
i got dat as a gift, me no really know whsat to do with it, cause me no throw away records but i dont need it sameway.

[Orthodox ReuBen]

If you check the history of HABESHA (Ethiopian) Muzik, you must start with SainT Yared..
Saint Yared is responsible for the eerie, minor-chord Orthodox Church Muzik that can be heard in the Modern-Ethiopian Jazz sound.Saint Yared's Muzik, according to Ethiopian Trodition, was a divine revealtion unto him. Now if you check the emergence of Ska Muzik (Sound Dimension, Skatalites) and obviously Augustus Pablo, ones and ones can hear that Ancient, Far-East Oriental Sound...These modern sounds started to appear around the Early 1960's.
Now, in the early 1960's, the first RASTAFARIAN delegation went to ETHIOPIA to meet QEDAMAWI HAILE SELASSIE I (this delegation included Mortimo Planna, who introduced Ras Prophet Bob Marley to the Teachings of H.I.M. ) ...When Mortimo Planna came forward from ETHIOPIA, he recorded some 45's, such as, HAILE SELASSIE is the Chapel, and "Prayer..." Prayer includes Mortimo Planna speaking and chanting in Ge'ez and Amharic with The Wailers!!! Now with Ska emerging, alot of the early musicians, had come from Count Ossie's Camp, and all hade been part of the Groundation Sessions in the 1950's and 60's that dealt with Black Christ Redemption and the Coming of CHRIST in the Flesh of HAILE SELASSIE ANDENYA...

The Modern Ethiopian Muzik, Jazz and pop, owe its complete emergence to H.I.M. EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE I, all praise be due unto H.I.M...These modern Ethiopian, Jazz Musicians were ALL part of The Royal Military Band that was part of the Customs and traditions of ANCIENT ABYSSINIA...And being part of the Orthodox Church, it was deeply influenced by Saint Yared!!!!
There is some Vinyl around on The ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES Label from 1972...The One I own is from Mulatu Astarte..He pretty much is the Godfather of Ethiopian Jazz and played an instrument simiar to a xlyphone...Some real Afro-Beat/Jazz...But due to Menghistu's slaughter of his own HABESHA people, most musicians during the 1970's were either killed or had to go into exile..Alot of the muzik archives were either destroyed or lost,and some, such as the ETHIOPIQUES collection, are all preserved from those in exile who had come to France!!! Big up to the French Massive!!
Anywayz, the ETHIOPIQUEs collection is PREMIER. I purchased two LPs off of Ernie B's a couple of years ago and have never seen them since...A must have....

HAILE SELASSIE is the Reason for the season....Supreme Peace...

[6anbatte]

Hi Orthodox ReuBen

Thanks for the heads-up. I have just ordered;

[Ethiopiques Vol. 4 (1969-1974)~Mulatu Astatqe](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethiopiques-Vol ... 048&sr=1-2)

[timjim]

Thanks again Orthodox ReuBen, I knew there had to be a link somewhere. Where did you get this info?

[Orthodox ReuBen]

Blessings timjim!!!
There is actually alot of info on the Ethiopian sound and on Musicians which had come from Haile Selassie I's Military Band...Check "Traditions of Modern Ethio Jazz" published in the Mid-90's...It was first published in France and it has some of the same info.. as the Early ETHIOPIQUES cd inner notes--looks like very similar writer(s) -- As for the History of Mortimmo Planna and the introduction of that "Oriental" sound to Jamaica, there is one book entitled "From Babylon to RASTAFARI" written by Douglas Mack (one of the bredren on the first delegation currently living in Philadelphia)..Also, there is a great interview with Cedric Brooks (Light of Saba) in a publication called "The Trumpet of Edification" that goes into great detail on the Far-east sound and how it came about...

Supreme Peace....
Tenastellen!!

[Burbur]

The Mulatu Astatqe album is very very nice music. Great choice.