V/A - Ethiopiques, Vol. 15: Europe Meets Ethiopia, Jump To Addis on sale

V/A - Ethiopiques, Vol. 15: Europe Meets Ethiopia, Jump To Addis
From the early '60s until 1974, Ethiopia lived its "wild years," the years of pop, soul and rock'n roll; of miniskirts and bell-bottoms, of Afros and Elvis hairdos--it was a time of intense urban fun. However, this age of the record was also the finale of Ethiopia's wild, happy years. This was undoubtedly the golden age of modern Ethiopian music. Never had the capital seen such intense nightlife--Addis was on par with 1960s swinging London!

As soon as the military leaders rose to power, record production dropped off rapidly, only to end altogether in 1978. Censorship, curfews, propaganda, harassment of musicians and the forced exile of many artists decimated Ethiopian music for a long while after. These recordings were made with a minimum of technical equipment: a microphone for the singer, another in the middle of the room, and a two-track tape recorder. However, the gems found here are all the more precious for having been crafted under such difficult circumstances.