CD Review: Atse Tewodros Project's Self-Titled Release

Atse Tewodros Project
Atse Tewodros Project
Self-Release

Envisioned by singer, writer, and performer, Gabriella Ghermandi, the Atse Tewodros Project is a collaboration between Ethiopian and Italian musicians. The music is steeped in Ethiopian traditional modes and scales with a bit of European jazz. The project is named after a prominent Ethiopian emperor: Atse Tewodros. The jaunty music is jazzy, purely Ethiopian, and rich with great rhythms and melodies. Gabriella lends her vocal talent throughout, while others play the washint, masinqo, kirar, kebero, drums, bass, piano, and assorted percussion. Song lyrics are provided by Gabriella Ghermandi, Aklilu Zewdie, Berhanu Gizaw, and Inish Hailu. There are plenty of likable tracks here, including "Atse Tewodros," "Che Belew," "Be Kibir," and "Tew Belew." A few tracks contain some spoken words. However, the majority of the songs contain sung vocals. Anyone with an interest in innovative and traditional, Ethiopian music, will surely find the Atse Tewodros Project high on the list of must-haves. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Dub Colossus' 'Dub Me Tender Vol 1 + 2'

Dub Colossus
Dub Me Tender Vol. 1 + 2
Real World

The heavy dub style of Nick "Dubulah" Page is evident throughout this new release. The reggae-tinged tracks, laid-back jazz, trance, and variegated funk music is nostalgic and contemporary at the same time. The album is divided up into two volumes, but the music is not very different. The amped-up beats, electronic additions, and jazzy undertones makes the new album shine beyond belief. Every song contains the word 'dub' in some form and function. The meditative dub forms are evident, as well as the more dance-friendly forms indicative of DJ performances on the dancefloor. There are Ethiopian-jazz elements with bluesy, funk sounds on some tracks. This is a good romp on the wild side of dub. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Addis Acoustic Project's 'Tewesta'

Addis Acoustic Project

Tewesta (Remembrance)

World Village

The jazzy sounds of Ethiopia's Golden Era of music during the 1950's and 60's are reimagined by the Addis Acoustic Project on Tewesta. The album's title is Amharic for 'remembrance'. As a nod to nostalgia, Tewesta is a mostly instrumental work of fifteen different songs by the Addis Ababa-based group. The album is directed by guitarist and arranger Girum Mezmur. The instrumental repertoire consists of the guitar, accordion, double bass, mandolin, clarinet, darbouka, bongos, oud, and massinko. The mandolin provides a more Celtic sound; especially on 'Selam Yihoun Lehoulachin'. However, the rest of the album is uniquely Ethiopian with some Latin and Klezmer-type rhythms and sounds. An exceptionally jazzy song is 'Enigenagnalen,' which precedes a slow and soulful ballad called 'Kewedet Tegegnech.' Mezmur is 'mezmur'izing [sic] on all accords. A thirty-page liner booklet includes history/music information in English and French. ~ Matthew Forss