Between 1969 and 1975, Ethiopia's Amha Records issued 100 or so singles that paved the way for the country's modern music movement, an unmistakable fusion of funk and pop sprinkled with plenty of Middle Eastern melodies and a strong Afro-beat. Fueled by the liberating reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, music prospered, clubs opened, the jukebox found its way to the country, and musicians innovated. And, while there are dozens of memorable artists from this period, one--Mahmoud Ahmed--so perfectly fused wild brass, pop rhythms, and soulful vocals that he helped this music expand beyond his country's borders (it's no wonder he was the first modern Ethiopian musician to tour the U.S.). To call his music "funky" doesn't do it justice; this is wild stuff. "Kulun Mankwalesh" keeps a rocksteady beat even when the melodies leave the Western hemisphere; at six minutes, it's just long enough to hypnotize. "Ambassel" is slow and soulful, while "Mela Mela" has a great sax opening that is quickly ignored when the beat takes over. Most of these tunes date from a November 1973 LP and feature Ahmed with the genre-breaking Ibex band. And, while there are compilations in the Éthiopiques series that may swing better and keep faster tempos, this fascinating single-artist spotlight is a welcomed addition. --Jason Verlinde
