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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