The 2013 release 'Sketches of Ethiopia' captures the legendary Ethio-jazz composer leading a larger ensemble through a program of new compositions and re-workings of his earlier material. The album serves as a testament to Astatke's enduring influence and his ability to synthesize diverse musical traditions.
- Recorded with a 17-piece ensemble in Belgium, the album features new material alongside re-interpretations of Astatke's compositions.
- 'Sketches of Ethiopia' was released on Jazz Village, a label known for its focus on contemporary jazz and world music.
- The album showcases Astatke's signature style, characterized by the fusion of Ethiopian pentatonic scales with jazz harmonies and Afrobeat rhythms.
Mulatu Astatke is a pioneering keyboardist, composer, and bandleader from Ethiopia, widely regarded as the father of Ethio-jazz. He blended traditional Ethiopian music with Western jazz, funk, and Latin rhythms throughout his career. In 2013, Astatke was releasing music on the Jazz Village label, continuing his late-career resurgence which had begun in the early 2000s.
Tracklist
