Mahmoud Ahmed
Ere Mela Mela
Crammed Discs (Belgium) 1986
CRAM 047 (LP) Remastered edition
sleeve : EX(some light stains)
media : EX+/EX+(some parts with slight surface noise)
This album was originally released in Ethiopia in 1975 by the great singer Mahmoud Ahmed, who had been active in his home country since the 1960s. It was re-configured and remastered by Crammed Discs in Belgium and released in 1986, bringing his music to the world's attention. This is a masterpiece of Ethio-jazz, featuring a unique groove full of natural psychedelia, with a sound centered on acoustic instruments and occasional electronic organ. The first thing that came to my mind when listening to it was Japanese enka. There are phrases and vocal inflections that somehow resemble enka, and it seems this isn't just my imagination. I've heard a story that when Haile Selassie, the last emperor of the Ethiopian Empire, visited Japan, he was deeply impressed by enka and brought it back to his country, having local musicians perform it. This is a historical work that makes your heart pound with excitement over this missing link in music that transcends borders.
A1: Sidetegnash Negn/Samiraye
A3: Bemin Sebeb Litlash
B3: Ere Mela Mela/Meche Neu