Nalbandian The Ethiopian & Either/Orchestra (New 2LP)

Label: Heavenly Sweetness

The Éthiopiques series returns! Essential archive recordings from an extremely fruitful period in Ethiopian music. Before “Swinging Addis” took over the world, there was Moussié Nerses Nalbandian — the Armenian-born composer who shaped modern Ethiopian music. Mentor, arranger, and pioneer, he laid the foundations of Ethio-jazz. This Éthiopiques volume revives his forgotten legacy, recorded live by Either/ Orchestra First issue ever with new exclusive photos and in depth liner 8-page insert. “Ethiopian jazzmen are the best musicians that we have seen so far in Africa. They really are promising handlers of jazz instruments.”