Friday, August 19, 2011

CD Review: Dub Colossus' 'Addis Through The Looking Glass'




Addis Through The Looking Glass



Ethiopian dub 'n' jazz is showcased on Dub Colossus' most recent effort, Addis Through The Looking Glass. The inclusion of Ethiopian singers, Sintayehu 'Mimi' Zenebe, Teremage Woretaw, and Tsedenia Gebremarkos, sets the stage for a brilliant work on several tracks. The opening, title-track starts the mood with a jazzy, funky, and classic instrumental tone with minimal dub and electronica. Fourteen tracks of traditional and contemporary arrangements and instrumentation provide the listener with a high-quality and memorable recording experience. The more traditional "Yeh Shimbraw Tir Tir" is a perfect track for experiencing roots music, while the reggae-dubbed "Satta Massagana" displays the far-reaching and diverse characteristics of Ethiopian jazz. The more orchestral "Feqer Aydelem Wey" is a rousing track oozing with Ethiopian jazz and nostalgia. All in all, Dub Colossus presents a solid release that rivals anything they've done before. ~ Matthew Forss

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