The Best of Ethiopian Jazz Funk from the 70s
Contents
The Best of Ethiopian Jazz Funk from the 70s is a great blog for anyone who loves Ethiopian music. The blog features some of the best Ethiopian Jazz Funk tracks from the 1970s, and is a must-read for any fan of the genre.
The Music
The easy-going, cosmopolitan atmosphere of the 1970s Addis Ababa was the backdrop for the emergence of a new generation of Ethiopian musicians who created a style of music that was a blend of traditional Ethiopian music, jazz, funk, and soul. The result was a sound that was both fresh and exciting, and which had a appeal that transcended Ethiopia’s borders.
The sound
The sound of Ethiopian funk and jazz from the 1970s is unlike anything else you’ve ever heard. Blending traditional Ethiopian melodies with Western funk and jazz influences, this music is truly unique. The best part is that it’s still relatively unknown, so you can be one of the first to discover it.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, I highly recommend checking out Ethiopian funk and jazz from the 1970s. You won’t be disappointed.
The musicians
The Album: The Best of Ethiopian Jazz Funk from the 70s
The Music:
The musicians on this album are some of the most highly skilled and experienced jazz funk musicians in Ethiopia. They have played with some of the biggest names in Ethiopian music, including Mulatu Astatke, Hailu Mergia, and Mahmoud Ahmed. These musicians have been playing together for years and have developed a tight, cohesive sound. Their performance on this album isAbsolutely dynamic!
The Era
The 1970s saw a flowering of the Ethiopian jazz funk sound. This was the era when artists like Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed, and Ibex Band were at the peak of their powers, and the music they were making was truly groundbreaking. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best Ethiopian jazz funk from the 70s.
The 1970s was a time of great political and social change in Ethiopia. Emperor Haile Selassie I, who had ruled Ethiopia since 1930, was overthrown in 1974 by a Communist military junta known as the Derg. The Derg regime, which lasted until 1987, was characterized by totalitarianism, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement. This period was also marked by a series of devastating droughts and famines, which led to the death of millions of Ethiopians.
During the same period, a vibrant Ethiopian jazz scene was developing in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Thanks to state support for the arts, many young musicians were able to study at the prestigious Ethiopian Music Academy and hone their skills. The era saw the rise of influential bands like Walias Band, Ibex Band, and Alemayehu Eshete & The Walias. These bands blended traditional Ethiopian music with Western jazz, funk, and soul to create a unique sound that came to be known as Ethio-jazz.
Despite the political turmoil of the time, the 1970s were a golden age for Ethiopian jazz. The music produced during this period has stood the test of time and continues to be beloved by fans around the world.
The influence of other genres
Ethiopian funk and jazz often incorporates influences from other genres, such as Latin music, rock, and blues. This results in a sound that is both unique and familiar, making it perfect for both dancing and listening. The following is a list of some of the best Ethiopian funk and jazz albums from the 1970s.
Keep on Keepin’ On ( 1974) by Mahmoud Ahmed
Ethiopian Groove: The Golden Seventies Volume 1 (1999) by Mulatu Astatke
Ere Mela Mela (1976) by Alemayehu Eshete
The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa (2013) by Various Artists
The Legacy
A new compilation celebrates the work of Ethiopian musicians who, in the 1970s, created their own brand of infectious, groove-laden jazz funk, fusing traditional Ethiopian sounds with James Brown-style funk and hints of rock.
The influence on contemporary music
The contemporary sound of Ethiopian jazz funk takes many of its cues from the 70s sound. The heavy use of the bass and horn section, as well as the poly-rhythmic percussion, gives the music a driving and hypnotic quality. The music is often laced with political and social commentary, which gives it a depth and urgency that is lacking in much of today’s music.
The influence on Ethiopian culture
It is widely believed that the music of Ethiopia is some of the oldest in the world. The first recordings were made in the 1920s, but the style of music that would come to be known as jazz funk did not begin to emerge until the 1970s. Ethiopian jazz funk is a blend of traditional Ethiopian music with Western jazz and funk influences. The result is a unique and infectious sound that has had a profound impact on Ethiopia’s culture and music scene.
The legacy of Ethiopian jazz funk can be heard in the work of contemporary artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Hailu Mergia, and Girma Bèyènè. These artists have taken the sounds of their predecessors and infused them with their own style and sensibilities, creating a new wave of Ethiopian jazz funk that is sure to get your feet moving.
