Ethiopiques 19: Alemye 1974

Volume 19 of Buda Musique's Ethiopiques series focuses on some 1974 performances by Alemye Mahmoud Ahmed, one of the finest, most expressive and valuable singers to come out of Ethiopian pop. The '70s were a time of tremendous political turmoil for Ethiopia; Emperor Haile Selassie (who has been the subject of many reggae lyrics) died on August 27, 1975, and his death was followed by a long period of violence and instability. Despite all that, Ahmed made some classic recordings in the '70s - and Ethiopiques, Vol. 19: Alèmyé illustrates his greatness during that period. In 1974, the influence of American recordings was being felt all over the African continent; that was true of artists ranging from Miriam Makeba in South Africa to Fela Kuti in Nigeria, and it was certainly true of Ahmed in Ethiopia. An East-meets-West approach prevails throughout this 55-minute CD, which finds Ahmed combining Ethiopian and Middle Eastern elements with the influence of American funk, soul and jazz.