Mulatu Astatke – Tension (Batov Records, 2024)
Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke partnered with Tel Aviv’s Hoodna Orchestra on Tension, a fantastic seven-track album that mixes Astatke’s signature vibraphone style with Hoodna’s brass-heavy Afro-funk sound. Produced by Dap-Kings co-founder Neal Sugarman, the album offers a fresh yet faithful extension of Astatke’s distinct Ethio-jazz style.
Astatke, known for pioneering Ethio-jazz by combining jazz, Latin, funk, and Ethiopian rhythms, rose to global prominence with the release of the Éthiopiques compilation in 1998 and Jim Jarmusch’s film Broken Flowers in 2005. He has since influenced artists like Nas and Kanye West and collaborated with groups such as the London-based Heliocentrics.
Hoodna Orchestra, formed in 2012, is a 12-member collective that fuses Afrobeat, psychedelic rock, funk, and East African music. Featuring talents like guitarist Ilan Smilan, organist Eitan Drabkin, and percussionist Rani Birenbaum, the group has gained international recognition, with airplay from BBC Radio 6 Music. Their growing interest in Ethiopian music led to the collaboration with Astatke, resulting in a productive creative partnership.
The album’s title track, “Tension,” introduces a new rhythmic intensity, with Astatke’s delectable vibraphone setting the stage for Hoodna’s driving bass line and vibrant brass. Other tracks, like “Major” and “Hatula,” demonstrate the group’s versatility, intertwining soulful organ solos with playful, unpredictable rhythms. Songs like “Yashan” evoke classic Ethio-jazz atmospheres, while “Delilah” nods to Astatke’s Latin-jazz roots.
The closing track, “Dung Gate,” features a slow, melodic brass-led motif, interwoven with layers of percussion and hand-clapping, evoking the live energy of a marching band. This collaboration marks a significant addition to Astatke’s storied discography, while solidifying Hoodna Orchestra’s growing reputation.
Buy Tension.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
