– THE MILITARY COUP –

I’ll be honest; there are times where I can be a little ageist when it comes to what I review on this site. Don’t get me wrong, old guys can definitely rule. It’s just that I’ve got an edgy mission statement to live up to and a surprisingly limited knowledge of music theory for a jazz blogger so, while I can absolutely appreciate the chops on people who are, say, over 50 years of age; they just don’t typically tend to be pushing the envelope when it comes to the genre of jazz.

Mulatu Astatke is the exception to that rule. A pioneer back in the 60s and 70s, amazingly the Ethiopian jazz renegade is still ripping up the rule book to this day and, as consequence, he continues to be relevant, continues to be astounding and will therefore, continue to be reviewed on 45 whenever I get the chance.

His new project – an album recorded with Melbourne eight-piece Black Jesus Experience (BJX) – shows no signs of that creativity and lust-for-getting-lost-in-the-groove, letting up.

To Know Without Knowing is the title track from the record and it’s undoubtedly one of its finest cuts. After three-and-a-half minutes of only the phattest funk chops and visceral vocal deliveries from rapper Mr Monk and singer Enushu, the band kicks into a laid back, world music-inspired jam underpinned by a superb rhythmical groove for the remaining four (FOUR!) minutes.

Not bad for an old dude.

If you like this try my review of Future Toyi Toyi by Keleketla!

The album, To Know Without Knowing is out now on Agogo Records.

HEAR MORE HERE

GREG FOAT: NIKINAKINU
CARLOS NIÑO + MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON: PART VI – INTO ETERNITY
LOELASH: CHAOS
LIANNE LA HAVAS: WEIRD FISHES

CEASE-FIRE

You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the Future Jazz Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

Until next time, love and noise.

– SV –