This week’s playlist features a vibe that’s alien and familiar at the same time. Tezeta (sometimes Tizita) songs are to Ethiopia what fado and saudade are to Portugal: expressions of nostalgia and remembrance with a culturally distinct sound. It’s the warm Qañat scale, originating from the Amhara ethnic group in Ethiopia, that makes Tezeta stand apart from blues, or the wide category of Afro-funk.
Throughout the 20th century, two Ethiopian musicians worked a lot to introduce Tezeta to the world: Mulatu Astatke and Hailu Mergia. Both Astatke and Mergia spent some time in the US where they were exposed to jazz, funk and blues, which undoubtedly influenced their arrangement approach. This playlist showcases some of their best infusions of these genres, stemming from a common musical ancestor.
This is part of my series, Introduction to niche genres.
Oh, nice random discovery. All about Ethiopian music. I work with Ethiopian band Krar Collective, have met or worked with Mulatu, Hailu, Getatchew, Akale Wube!! Massive playlist. But I don't really use Spotify.