Name: Afro Latin Soul
Brand: Mulatu and His Ethiopian Quintet

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

WORTH1014C

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Coloured Vinyl

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-04-29

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Scorpio

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

1 / Extended format: Yes / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Mulatu and His Ethiopian Quintet

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Worthy

This 1966 LP by Astatke (billed to Mulatu Astatke &amp; His Ethiopian Quintet) isn't shaded by nearly as much African/Ethiopian influence as his best work, which was recorded between the late '60s and mid-'70s. As the title might lead you to believe, it is indeed more in the Latin soul-jazz bag than the later material, sometimes leaning toward the R&amp;B-informed boogaloo sound of the mid-'60s. It's not bad at all, though, even if it is more conventional than his best stuff. And particularly on his own compositions and arrangements (which comprise about half the LP), sometimes more exotic and African colors bubble closer to the surface, as on the eerie vibe parts he lays on "Mascaram Setaba." Occasional animal noises give the impression, whether intended or not, of a Martin Denny with more soul. He also proves himself competent at fairly straight jazz balladry on "A Kiss Before Dawn" and more mainstream Latin jazz on "Playboy Cha Cha," though these bear less of his individual stamp than most of the other cuts.

Afro Latin Soul

Music GB