Astatke,Mulatu / Hoodna Orchestra - Tension - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Sacchini's debut in Paris with Renaud (1783) was a success, earning him the favor of Marie-Antoinette. Encouraged by the public, he enriched the repertoire of the Paris Opera with several masterpieces, some of which were staged regularly for many years. Renaud was presented almost without interruption until 1799 and was revived in 1815. This recording was made at the Arsenal of Metz in October 2012.

This is the first new solo album by Mulatu Astatke himself since the 1980 s!! a rich new album of Ethio sounds, perfect for all fans of world music, Jazz and the outstanding selling Ethiopiques series. Following his acclaimed collaboration on STRUT with THE HELIOCENTRICS, the Father of Ethio Jazz now presents his brand new studio album, InchMulatu Steps Ahead?. The album explores new directions in fusions of Western Jazz with Ethiopian modes, moving forward the pioneering sound Mulatu developed during the '60 's and '70 's (as showcased on the recent Strut compilation InchNew York * Addis * London?). Tracks were recorded with members of EITHER/ORCHESTRA in Boston, with contributions by traditional Ethiopian musicians in Addis, members of the Heliocentrics and some of the UK's leading Jazz and African players during the final sessions in London in November 2009. The A-list line-up of musicians include BYRON WALLEN (UK), JACK YGLESIAS, JAMES ARBEN and DANNY KEANE from the Heliocentrics, members of Either/Orchestra in Boston and leading players from Addis Ababa.

The Ari people of South-West Ethiopia treat the human voice as a veritable instrument exploring it's entire acoustic range by varying registers, timbres and vowel resonance; their grand-scale polyphonies are highly sophisticated, yet not without elements of spontaneity and surprise.The period of great collective ceremonies begins at the end of the rainy season - marriages (wochmi), the end of harvesting (buk), funerals (efi) and the lifting of periods of mourning (chi chi). Participants abandon their habitual activities to devote themselves to the celebration of a decisive life cycle event, amid omnipresent singing and dancing.A strong contrast exists in Ari music between the complexity of the collective polyphonic structure and the sobriety of individual voices. A successful ensemble depends on good combinations of simple elements. Moreover, any apparently rigid polyphonic organization is counterbalanced by a certain flexibility in performance, evident in unpredictable entries of freely moving voices and in a wealth of variations. In Ari polyphonies, a variation is an open proposition, addressed to other musicians, provoking reaction and thereby developing the performance.