Album Review
Mekuria, Getatchew, The Ex, and Guests – “Moa Anbessa ” – [Terp Records]
Hunter Gatherer 8/16/2007 CD, International
Legendary Ethiopian saxophonist Getatchew Mekuria teams up with legendary Dutch band The Ex and some friends who join in on bass, clarinet, sax, trombone, and organ. The Ex were big fans of the albums he recorded in the 70’s (and you will be too if you check out the copy of Negus of Ethiopian Sax we have in International CD), and tracked him down in Addis Ababa. Some of the tracks were recorded in two days of studio work in April 2006. Others were recorded live in concert.
The relentless driving of The Ex fits perfectly with the horns, especially the featured sax of Mr. Mekuria, creating a sound that is part punk, part free jazz, and part war chant. According to the detailed liner notes, Mr. Mekuria had something of a breakthrough in his style when he started to transcribe a vocal war song style called sh??llela for his saxophone. Check out Tezalegn Yetentu (10) for an example. There is a lot going on but somehow it all hangs together perfectly. Or turn to Mr. Mekuria’s solo on Tezeta (8) for a more lyrical sound.
–Hunter Gatherer
Language: 1 (fuck, suck)
you heard it 46 times on kfjc! most recently:
- 290 days ago, Bryan Chandler played Tezeta
- 318 days ago, Naysayer played Musicawi Silt
- 460 days ago, Thee Opinataur played Musicawi Silt
- 1078 days ago, Mickey Slim played Eywat Setenafegagn
- 2060 days ago, Maybelline played Aynotche Terabu / Shemonmwanaye
12345 S. El Monte Road Los Altos Hills, California 94022
Public Inspection File
add comment