Sketches of Ethiopia

On Sketches of Ethiopia, Mulatu Astatke’s first international release, the father of Ethio-Jazz’s remarkably rich music reveals influences ranging from jazz and Latin American music to the traditional music of his homeland. Astatke has collaborated with numerous jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, and in 2005 was featured on the soundtrack for Jim Jarmusch’s film Broken Flowers. Conductor, arranger, master of the vibraphone and conga drums, Astatke now plays with his England-based group Step Ahead. On his new album, Astatke’s uniquely rhythmic and colorful music weaves a modern groove into age-old melodies, and blends western classical music with Latin and Afro funk rhythms into a heady musical brew.