Girma Bèyènè & Akalé Wubé

Ethiopiques 30: Mistakes On Purpose

BUDA MUSIQUE. CD/DL/LP The final release in the series uncovering the golden age of Ethiopian pop.

It’s 20 years since Francis Falceto compiled the first volume of the Ethiopiques family, inspiring second-life success for the likes of Mulatu Astatke and Mahmoud Ahmed; now the series closes not with rare grooves from the funky 1970s but a new set from pianist Bèyènè and disciples Akalé Wubé – a more fitting farewell would be hard to imagine. Bèyènè grew up in the 1950s, steeped in rock’n’roll, and emigrated to the States in 1981, fleeing military rule at home. The Black Magic Woman-like Mèlèwètesh Menèw shows how much he still enjoys rocking out; a remake of his most famous original, Muziqawi Silt, demonstrates how deeply ingrained in the Ethio-groove his playing always was. It’s not the disc with which to introduce yourself to Ethiopiques (start, naturally, with Volume 1), but if you are already hooked it’s a glorious goodbye.