Zelalem vinyl

Ethiopian producer Mikael Seifu creates experimental Ethio-jazz or 'Ethiopiyawi Electronic' according to critics. This unique sound coming out of the capital Addis Ababa has Seifu combining electronic music with traditional native instrumentation and singing to stunning effect. Starting out with the politically charged, hazy exoticism of "The Protectors" he then gets stuck in with the offbeat ethereal journey "The Solipsist". Traditional string and wind instruments played by an orchestra builds to an epic climax on "How To Save A Life (Vector Of Eternity)". "AAAA (Vector Of Light)" goes out all guns blazing on this epic electronica-rock crossover jam. According to RVNG Int'l themselves, Seifu "does not westernize or electronicize extant Ethiopian music," instead he brews estranged styles for his own musical tincturing. Another fine release from New York's RVNG Intl.