Instead of falling back on his unmistakable sonic signatures, Mulatu Astatke opens his first studio album in over a decade with a murky ad-lib improvisation – only after nearly a minute does the main theme of »Zelesenga Dewel« emerge. From that moment on, however, the composer’s and vibraphonist’s hallmark becomes unmistakable: the Ethiopian jazz idiom that has long achieved global cultural currency and established Astatke as a defining figure of an entire genre.
Fluttering brass lines, cascading vibraphone patterns, and a dense mesh of traditional Ethiopian instruments like the masenqo, krar, and begena merge seamlessly with classic jazz instrumentation throughout Mulatu Plays Mulatu. Modern production highlights the layered arrangements without disrupting their organic flow – a delicate balance achieved with apparent ease. Astatke gives space to his fellow musicians while maintaining compositional anchor throughout.
Recorded with artists from London, Addis Ababa, and Los Angeles – including Dexter Story, who has been exploring Ethiopian music for years – this album feels like a contemporary update of what Astatke introduced to a new generation through Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers. It’s a work steeped in tradition, yet forward-thinking – a powerful reminder of Ethio-jazz’s enduring resonance.
