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Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Plays Mulatu
Released 26th September 2025
Mulatu Plays Mulatu marks Mulatu Astatke’s first major studio album in over a decade, reinventing his classic compositions in his pioneered Ethio-jazz style. Blending Western jazz with traditional Ethiopian instruments (krar, masenqo, washint, kebero, begena), reflecting Mulatu’s long-term vision for Ethio-jazz. Recorded in London and Addis Ababa, the album features Mulatu’s UK ensemble, Addis-based cultural musicians, and contemporary artists Carlos Niño and Kibrom Birhane, under producer Dexter Story. Mulatu presents the album as both a tribute to Ethiopian musical pioneers and a fresh reinterpretation of Ethio-jazz, maintaining its relevance while honoring its roots Strut presents Mulatu Plays Mulatu, the first major studio album in over 10 years from the father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke.
Featuring masterful new arrangements of some of his classic compositions, Mulatu Plays Mulatu finds Mulatu revisiting the sounds that helped to change the face of Ethiopian music during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The album was recorded between London and Addis Ababa, working with his long-standing UK band, a tight, intuitive ensemble honed through years of live performance, alongside cultural musicians resident at his Jazz Village club in Addis.
"Ethio-jazz brings us together and makes us one,” explains Mulatu. “This album is the culmination of my work bringing this music to the world and pays respect to our unsung heroes, the original musical scientists in Ethiopia who gave us our cultural music.”
Bridging continents and generations throughout his 50-year career, Astatke now offers us an invitation to hear his music again, with a completely fresh perspective. Ethio-jazz, like its creator, is always in motion.
Dinked Edition 362
● Silver coloured vinyl
● Extended liner notes booklet
● Numbered sleeve
● Limited pressing of 300
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