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Rating: Mulatu Astatke, pianist born in 1946, considered "the king of Ethiopian jazz", only reaches the wider public in 2005, thanks to the use of some of his compositions for the soundtrack of the film "Broken Flowers". His music, characterized by a unique and refined sound, has always been focused on the blending of overseas jazz with sounds drawn from the African tradition.
The Heliocentrics, a British ensemble composed of 14 members, offers an explosive mix of free-jazz, funk, and psychedelia. In 2007, they gained appreciation from critics and the public with their debut album, the small masterpiece "Out There".
From an inspired dialogue between these two musical entities emerges, in 2009, the third chapter of a series, "Inspiration Information", born under the aegis of Strut Records, a young record label that has already produced at least a dozen very interesting albums.
The result is a work that, in the delicate balance of dynamics, sees the musical charisma of the Ethiopian veteran prevail. On their part, the English band, with great humility, serves Mulatu without, however, failing to imprint their own sound on the piece. As if by some strange alchemy, Astatke's music shines with a new light: while his touch remains unmistakable, the Heliocentrics are pivotal in updating its language in a contemporary key; all is seasoned by the British with a musical undergrowth, composed of "alien" sounds and noises, running parallel to the more prominent instruments. Also evident is a greater inclination towards more rhythmic, funkier tracks. Noteworthy is the brilliant performance of drummer Malcom Catto, founder of the ensemble, who reminds me a bit of Jaki Liebezeit, though less strict in style.
The strength of this work is that, in my opinion, it lends itself to two levels of listening. The compositional freshness, the captivating rhythms, and the "good vibrations" that the record conveys allow for a certain immediacy in appreciating the piece. For those, however, wishing to delve into more contemplative listening, this substantial work (over an hour of music) offers numerous interesting insights, both from the compositional and arrangement perspectives; repeated listens will yield equally (pleasant) surprises. The skill and sensitivity of the musicians are truly remarkable.
"Inspiration Information" is, in the opinion of the one writing, one of the top five albums of 2009.
Unless you are in the Caribbean seas, with enjoyable company brightening your hours, on July 27, do not miss the live performance of this project. I suspect it will be an unforgettable concert.
Tracklist
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