Various – Ethiopian Modern Instrumental Hits

A hypnotic, essential collection of 1970s Ethio-groove — heady modal jazz, swirling organ, and locked-in funk rhythms that defined a singular chapter in global music history.

Originally released in 1972, Ethiopian Modern Instrumental Hits showcases the instrumental side of Ethiopia’s Golden Age, a period where artists like Mulatu Astatké, Tèsfa-Maryam Kidané, and Bahta Gèbrè-Heywèt forged a new sound from ancient modes and modern ideas. Astatké’s songs are definitely the centerpiece — wistful, hypnotic ethio-jazz classics that epitomize his role as the movement’s architect.

This 2013 reissue by Heavenly Sweetness is pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl and faithfully reproduces the original Ethiopian vinyl release. The music resists easy comparison, drawing little from West African highlife, Congolese rumba, or Latin jazz despite its subtle flourishes — instead, it moves to its own rhythm, bound by history, mood, and mystique.

A foundational release for any fan of Ethio-jazz, spiritual jazz, or rare groove deep cuts.

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