For his new album, “Taito” Ernesto Chahoud has compiled a collection of soul-fueled stompers straight from the dancefloors of 1970’s Ehtiopia
For a little #ThrowbackThursday fun, I wanted to feature Ernesto Chahoud’s album, Taitu. It’s a 24-track double LP compilation of all the best 1970s dancefloor bangers from Ethiopia. It’s the result of Chahoud’s years of searching for the very best music from the ‘golden age’ of Ethiopian music.
The album is split into two records: “Ethiopian Stompers” and “Ethiopian Clappers.” I’m not going to lie (as much as I love Ethio jazz) I know just about zero of the artists featured on the album. I’ve been assured by various press releases that the record includes “some of the heavyweights of the scene.” Including, I am told “the godfather of Ethio jazz, Mulatu Astatke.” Also on the album is a vocalist dubbed the “Ethiopian Elvis” called Alemayehu Eshete. “Eshete features alongside tracks by more obscure artists such as Merawi Yohannis and Birkineh Wurga.”
They’re all obscure to me buddy.
But whether you know the names of the artists or not, this album is totally grooving out. I’m definitely going to feature some of this Ethio vibe on next month’s mixtape.
Check out a few of my favorite cuts from the compilation below. Or transform yourself into that interesting “world music appreciating” person by purchasing the album #IRL at the bbe music store.
Mulatu Astatke – EmneteAlemayehu Eshete – Honey Baby Menelik Wossenatchew – Tezeta
