Ethiopiques series from Buda

[ejp626]

I guess this isn't all that new since the Ethiopiques series has been released through the late 1990s, though I only heard about it a few weeks ago. This series on Buda Musique is reissuing choice music recorded in Ethiopia on the Amha label, which was quite "revolutionary" at the time since it was the only label operating without official state sanction. I believe there are 18 in the series, and they may go up to 27.

Anyway, I only got the first one in the series so far, which is a general sampler, and I am enjoying it a lot. Does anyone have any of these? Do you have recommendations for other ones in the series?

Based on the descriptions on the Budamusique website, I will probably get vol. 4, 13 and 14, which are the most jazz-related. And if I really like those, then perhaps 2, 8 and 18. I'm going to try to hold off from getting the whole series.

I thought I would take the opportunity to push a few other African collections on CD. I got these all at Dusty Groove (the bastards!) but I am sure they can be obtained elsewhere.

Ghana Soundz -- really mind blowing great stuff from Ghana an obscure collector (I think the liner notes say if sales are good they will try to follow up with more CDs. I already did my part!)

Nigeria 70 - a 2 CD collection of great music from Nigeria. I think Fela is only on two tracks, so there is a lot of stuff you will never have heard before.

Afro Baby - "the evolution of the Afro-Sound in Nigeria 1970-1979". One track by Fela. I like this too but it isn't quite as amazing as Nigeria 70 and Ghana Soundz. Maybe I already got "jaded" (to steal from another post) because I had heard the other stuff first.

Eric

Edited July 9, 2004 by ejp626

[John B]

I have heard quite a few of these (Ethiopiques) and they are all very good.

Emusic had all of them the last time I looked. If you have a fast connection that would be a good route to use to sample / obtain the various volumes.

[John B]

I have never heard of Ghana Soundz. I'll have to check that one out. Another collection you might enjoy is this one:

More on the James Brown influence side of things than Nigeria 70, but a really solid set of obscure tracks.

[jazzbo]

I think I have those Ethiopique items that you mention you intend to get! I really like them. I hope to eventually get them all. . . seeing as I lived in Ethiopia a few of the very best years of my life. . . .

Edited July 9, 2004 by jazzbo

[ejp626]

I have heard quite a few of these (Ethiopiques) and they are all very good.

Emusic had all of them the last time I looked. If you have a fast connection that would be a good route to use to sample / obtain the various volumes.

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks. I haven't really tried Emusic so far.

[John B]

I have heard quite a few of these (Ethiopiques) and they are all very good.

Emusic had all of them the last time I looked.  If you have a fast connection that would be a good route to use to sample / obtain the various volumes.

That sounds like a good idea.  Thanks.  I haven't really tried Emusic so far.

I was a member for a while and had no complaints. Browse through their selection one day. They have quite a few good labels available. (Atavistic, Delmark, Palmetto, Prestige/OJC, etc...)

They also have the new Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra disc, which you should check out. If you dig Antibalas there was a band called the Daktaris that put out one album back in the day. They eventually became (for the most part) Antibalas. their one disc is a really funky, Fela-worshipping blast of afrobeat.

emusic has two other mixes I have heard: Afrobeat ...No Go Die and Nu Afrobeat Experience. Neither one is essential, by any means, but they are both fun if you are a fan of this music.

Edited July 9, 2004 by John B

[ejp626]

Just checking for more music from the Soundway label, it appears that Ghana Soundz 2 is in the works and should hit sometime this year. I'll definitely grab that one.

[Adam]

Ethiopiques is great. 1 and 3 are really good, on top of 4, 8, 9, 13.

Now I'm waiting to check out #17.

[PHILLYQ]

Just checking for more music from the Soundway label, it appears that Ghana Soundz 2 is in the works and should hit sometime this year. I'll definitely grab that one.

If you haven't already, check out GiGi- she's from Ethiopia and does some nice stuff, and she also aqppears on the Tabla Beat Science live disc.

[jazzbo]

And the Tabla Beat Science double dvd! Quite an eyeful that one!

Yes, GiGi. . . . Much more modern a sound in some ways than the Ethiopique series, but very traditional at the heart. . . an experience! I find myself spinning her latest the most often. . . .

Edited July 13, 2004 by jazzbo