Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Plays Mulatu

Strut presents Mulatu Plays Mulatu, the first major studio album in over 10 years from the father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke.

With masterful new arrangements of some of his classic compositions, Mulatu Plays Mulatu finds Mulatu revisiting the sounds that helped change the face of Ethiopian music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The album was recorded between London and Addis Ababa, working with his British band — a tight, intuitive ensemble refined through years of live performances — alongside resident musicians from his Jazz Village club in Addis.

Mulatu Plays Mulatu brings to life Mulatu’s long-term vision for Ethio-jazz, intricately balancing Western jazz arrangements with the rich sounds of traditional Ethiopian instruments, including the krar, masenqo, washint, kebero, and begena. Connecting continents and generations throughout his 50-year career, Astatke now invites us to hear his music anew, from a completely fresh perspective. Ethio-jazz, like its creator, is always moving forward.