Jaqui Wickes reviews the latest in Strut Records’ ‘Inspiration Information’ collaborations which brings together Ethiopian Jazz Master, Mulatu Astatke and UK based music collective Heliocentrics to create a veritable smorgasbord of musical styles and sounds.

Unashamedly funky, with heavy overtones of James Brown, David Axelrod and Sun Ra, the 14 tracks weave together traditional Ethiopian melodies and instruments with thumping grooves and tight brass arrangements to create a fresh and funky world sound.

.. be certain that you are listening to something else, a genuine ‘collision of musical styles’

Astatke and Heliocentrics originally composed, arranged and recorded 14 tracks, over a 7 day period in September 2008, inviting UK based Ethiopian Musicians to guest on several tracks playing traditional instruments like the Krar (five six stringed instrument tuned to pentatonic scale), Begena (ten stringed harp-like instrument), Washint (flute) and Masenqo (one stringed violin). Added into the mix is the more traditional Western line up of, guitars, brass, reeds, percussion, bass and piano, but then there are the sublime sounds of Vibraphone, Theremin, Harp and even Wurlitzer that punctuate the groove and let you be certain that you are listening to something else, a genuine ‘collision of musical styles’

Baritone Sax lines that make your knees vibrate.

Heliocentrics took the original recorded material and have overdubbed it to perfection, resulting in a beautifully uncontrived collection of tunes. It’s impossible to pick a stand-out track. Highlights include ‘Masenqo’ with its haunting jazz piano and Ethiopian vocals, ‘Cha Cha’ for its downright funkiness, ‘Blue Nile’ for its psychedelic guitar riffs, ‘Esketa Dance’ and ‘Chik Chikka’ for their pentatonic other worldiness and ‘Fire In The Zoo’ for Baritone Sax lines that make your knees vibrate.

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