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Internet resources cite multi-instrumentalist Mulatu Astatke as the father of Ethiopian jazz, aka Ethio-jazz, a distinct style he apparently developed while studying music in the UK and US that blends traditional Ethiopian music with jazz and Latin music. On this new album – featuring Boston’s Either/Orchestra, members of previous collaborators The Heliocentrics, various traditional musicians from Addis, Ethiopia and leading UK African jazz players – Astatke continues to find new and exciting ways to combine these elements into something fresh and vibrant, while respecting the past and the wisdom it has to offer.
Mulatu Steps Ahead is an album of mystery, beginning with the opening track “Radcliffe” – a magical Sun Ra-type journey into places previously protected from outsiders, with similar explorations continued in “Ethio Blues.” “I Faram Gami I Faram,” an Astatke standard, brings the Latin influences to full force, while retaining a distinct Arabesque flavor. Much of the remainder of the disc could almost be called a mix of African highlife and Afrobeat, funky grooves expanded by jazz sensibilities.
In terms of jazz and its infinite possibilities, Mutalu Astatke definitely steps forward while keeping one foot firmly rooted in the past, which is what makes this album so accessible. Fans of Sun Ra, Fela Kuti and Juan de Marcos Gonzalez can all find common ground here, and that’s a very good thing.
