Mahmoud Ahmed, Soul Of Addis (Earthworks) 9-
Mahmoud Ahmed is one of Ethiopia's top singers. He's been active since the early 60s when he modelled his Amharic vocal style on Telahoun Gessesse, an early Ethiopian singer. Since then he has released many cassettes on his Addis Ababa record shop label and nightclub. His band is tight and lively, boasting clipped reggae, Fela Kuti-style funk rhythms, tenor saxes and soulful guitar. However, the thin production, butt-ugly cover art and poor distribution will doom this album to obscurity. What Ahmed needs is support from a label like Real World or Luaka Bop to give him a modern edge without stealing his soul.
