The definitive expanded official reissue of Mulatu's landmark 1972 album is back in stock, featuring stereo and mono mixes from the original tapes and a disc of studio out-takes from the sessions.

Recorded in New York, ‘Mulatu of Ethiopia’ arrived at a time when Astatke had begun to master the delicate fusion of styles needed to create Ethio jazz and represents the first fully formed document of his trademark sound. It features his re-interpretations of wedding song ‘Kulunmanqueleshi’, ‘Dewel’ (“which means ‘bell’, based on church music”), tracks that he would later return to in the studio and on stage, the Ethio-Latin workout ‘Chifara’ and the self-titled mid-tempo groover ‘Mulatu’: “I wanted to make a track for myself!”.

This 3LP deluxe edition includes the original stereo album master, a pre-mix mono master and a selection of out-takes from the sessions. The album also features a new interview with Mulatu Astatke and rare photos.

The project was transferred and remastered at The Carvery studios in London. Engineer Frank Merritt remembers, "it was the release I've been proudest to be involved with. Working from the original master tapes and hearing the different versions gave such an insight into the original sessions and it was great to have Mulatu in the studio with me in person to be able to show him the cutting process".

TRACKLIST:

A1. Yèkatit

A2. Nètsanèt

A3. Tezetayé Antchi Lidj

A4. Sabyé

B1. Yèkèrmo Sèw

B2. Asmarina

B3. Gubèlyé

B4. Ené Alantchi Alnorem

B5. Dèwèl