Friday, July 19, 2019

TOMMY T’S NEW SINGLE ‘ANCHIN,’ FEATURING MAHMOUD AHMED, IS AVAILABLE NOW


Gogol Bordello’s bass player Tommy T’s newest single, Anchin, is available now on all digital platforms via Afroxoid. Tommy was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The fabric of global rhythms he weaves throughout Gogol Bordello is echoed in Anchin, which features the legendary Ethiopian artist Mahmoud Ahmed on vocals. The single Anchin, which translates to the feminine pronoun ‘you’ in Amharic, Tommy explains, “fuses roots reggae with the very familiar sound of Ethiopia’s musical golden era, delivered by the incomparable booming voice of the world-renowned legend, and 2007 BBC world music award winner Mahmoud Ahmed.”

Tommy has been fusing Ethiopian melodies with other types of afro-rhythms since his critically acclaimed debut release ‘The Prester John Sessions.’ Anchin is a continuation of his work in exploring the vast world of afro-rhythms combined with an Ethiopian melody and will guide the listener on a cross-cultural musical journey. Amplified by the unmistakable voice of Mahmoud Ahmed and a universal message of LOVE, Anchin is sure to capture the imagination of audiences young and old worldwide.

For over 55 years, “Mahmoud Ahmed has deftly combined the traditional Amharic music of Ethiopia with mostly pop and jazz, yielding some of the most adventurous, passionate, ear-opening, downright surrealistic sounds this side of the deepest, darkest dub or the most out-there free jazz. In fact, until you’ve heard Ahmed’s sweeping multi-octave voice in full workout, words hardly do it justice.” Ahmed has been a star in Ethiopia almost since the day he began recording, and in 1986, Mahmoud’s music reached a larger western audience when the Belgian label Crammed Discs released the collection Ere Mela Mela drawn from two Kaifa LPs, Mahmoud had recorded in Addis with the Ibex Band a decade earlier.

“But it’s Ahmed’s voice — swirling high notes that sound as if they’re chasing one another, impeccable tone and phrasing — that is the distinguishing element.” By singing in this style Ahmed has fused the past and present, and specifically in this release, Ethiopian melody and Roots Reggae. He’s open minded when it comes to collaborating with other artist of different styles, and hears the similarities in music and rhythm that have thrived over time and welcomes the challenge to create something new.

* Quotes about Mahmoud Ahmed are taken from Wikipedia and Allmusic.com.


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