Music from the Horn (of Africa)
by Joyce Corbett — December 2006
Live in Addis from the Either/Orchestra in the Éthiopiques series of recordings from Buda Musique — it’s American jazz refreshed by contact with its African roots and more — it’s Ethiopian, it’s American, it's Arab, it's soul, it's Latin and it’s also great fun! Uplifting salve for the soul. The music was recorded live on January 21, 2004 during the Third Ethiopian Music Festival and the CD was released in September of 2005.
It was the first performance in Ethiopia by a U.S. band since Duke Ellington played there in 1973 and the enthusiasm in the air is palpable. The audience is so enthralled with the music that they are silent in the quiet parts and exuberant at the end of the many exciting solos.
Band leader-arranger-saxophonist Russ Gershon cites Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Sun Ra and Gil Evans among his favourite jazz artists and has a collection of African recordings including Mahmoud Ahmed, Fela Kuti and Sunny Ade. Give him a band of wonderful American and Ethiopian musicians and you would expect interesting results. This is exactly what you get, an exceptional CD.
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