Ethiopiques 14 Getatchew Mekurya CD

Gétatchèw Mèkurya is probably the most revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone. A real giant, both mentally and physically, he is at the top level of Ethiopian saxophonists and the inventor of an extremely distinctive musical style, the saxophone shèllela. This musical form was daring, improvisational, angry and impetuous.

Without resorting to clichés, shèllela was a sort of free jazz before its time; what with the political situation in Ethiopia during the '50s and '60s, Mékurya knew absolutely nothing about Ornette Coleman or Albert Ayler, about free jazz or anything else going on in American music.
All the titles on this disc were previously released on two 45s and one LP in 1972.

Tracks:
1. Yegenet Muziqa
2. Shellela
3. Aha Gedawo
4. Antchi Hoye
5. Ambassel
6. Almaz Yeharerwa
7. Yene Hassab Gwadegna
8. Shemonmwanaye
9. Gofere / Antchi Hoye
10. Aynotche Terabu
11. Akale Wube
12. Tezeta
13. Gedamay
14. Muziqa Heywete
15. Shellela Besaxophone