Similar artist suggestions please

[TedLogan]

Hi,
I've been listening to two artists over and over lately and am now looking for some suggestions on similar styles/artists so I can go investigate.

First is Ramsey Lewis, mainly his Finest Hour CD. I like the small club feel i.e. the 'in' crowd, and the piano lead.

Second is the song Telantena zare by Alèmayèhu Eshèté. I like the upbeat musical style (the guitar soloist is pretty cool) and the tempo and vocals. I'd prefer an English speaking artist as I don't understand the language.

Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions.

TL

[Mike Schwartz]

Can't ackle the 2nd question, but if you are enjoying Ramsey Lewis from that time frame you may very well enjoy Bobby Timmons.

[bluenoter]

Hi,
I've been listening to two artists over and over lately and am now looking for some suggestions on similar styles/artists so I can go investigate. . . .

Second is the song Telantena zare by Alèmayèhu Eshèté. I like the upbeat musical style (the guitar soloist is pretty cool) and the tempo and vocals. I'd prefer an English speaking artist as I don't understand the language.

  

FWIW, I hear pop rather than jazz.

 

[steve(thelil)]

Can't ackle the 2nd question, but if you are enjoying Ramsey Lewis from that time frame you may very well enjoy Bobby Timmons.

That's rare. Mike can usually ackle uestions about any artist.

[Blue Train]

Hi,
I've been listening to two artists over and over lately and am now looking for some suggestions on similar styles/artists so I can go investigate.

First is Ramsey Lewis, mainly his Finest Hour CD. I like the small club feel i.e. the 'in' crowd, and the piano lead.

Second is the song Telantena zare by Alèmayèhu Eshèté. I like the upbeat musical style (the guitar soloist is pretty cool) and the tempo and vocals. I'd prefer an English speaking artist as I don't understand the language.

Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions.

TL

The easiest thing would be to check out anything from the 27 volume and counting Ethiopiques series. Eshèté is on three volumes.



Mulatu Astatke. He's the father of Ethio-Jazz. He even performed with Duke Ellington. His music can be all instrumental are with vocals.

Mahmoud Ahmed.


While not similar per se, I highly recommend from Mali.

Ali Farka Touré
Toumani Diabaté
Tinariwen *
Amadou & Mariam - they're blind and married. *


* Would be closer to what you're looking for.

[clinthopson]

Ramsay Lewis had a huge hit in the 70s -"The In Crowd."

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Actually, Clint, it was more like 1965. Lewis did an instrumental version of the original song sung by Dobie Gray. Just sayin'.

[clinthopson]

Actually, Clint, it was more like 1965. Lewis did an instrumental version of the original song sung by Dobie Gray. Just sayin'.

I think I have a terminal case of CRS.

Lewis also did an excellent duo disc with Billy Taylor.

[hornplayer]

Actually, Clint, it was more like 1965. Lewis did an instrumental version of the original song sung by Dobie Gray. Just sayin'.

mmm yes, I remember that song from the summer of 1965.

[Mike Schwartz]

That's rare. Mike can usually ackle uestions about any artist.

New 2 Me!

Haven't listened enough to guess what language it's in , but find it interesting the request for an English version.

If there's a great Latin jazz or Brazilian tune on a recording for example, I can't recall having the need to find it in another language.

[bluenoter]

Haven't listened enough to guess what language it's in , but find it interesting the request for an English version.

If there's a great Latin jazz or Brazilian tune on a recording for example, I can't recall having the need to find it in another language.

However, that's not what Ted requested.

[clinthopson]

The language looks like Turkish to me. Maybe cem can help you.

[Blue Train]

Mr. Hopson:

While I think you're attempting humor....I don't like to assume things. It's Amharic.

[Mike Schwartz]

However, that's not what Ted requested.

really?


"....I'd prefer an English speaking artist as I don't understand the language."

[TedLogan]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all of your suggestions, much appreciated.

@clinthopson, thanks for the Billy Taylor tip
@Blue Train, thanks for the list, I'll be sure to check them all out
@Mike S, thanks for the Bobby Timmons suggestion

I guess the Alèmayèhu Eshèté question is really:

1. besides Pop (!?) and EthioJazz what genre would you put the instrumentals in; and

2. do you know of any songs with similar instrumentals but with English vocals.

Thanks again.

TL

[Pete C]

For something in a related groove in English, check out Fela if you don't know him. Nigerian Afrobeat and Ethiopop both owe a lot to James Brown. Also check out Budos Band. They're a NY band that blends funk, afropop and a bit of an Ethiopian feel, mostly instrumental. They record for Daptone records. Also check out Either/Orchestra, a Boston-based band, jazz players who fell in love with Ethiopian music.

If you're looking for funky, gospel-influenced jazz piano like Ramsey Lewis, Les McCann is your best bet, along with Timmons.

[Blue Train]

Mr. C:

For the Win on Fela. I had a complete and utter brain fart! I blame French Canadians

[Blue Train]

[Mike Schwartz]

For something in a related groove in English, check out Fela if you don't know him. Nigerian Afrobeat and Ethiopop both owe a lot to James Brown. Also check out Budos Band. They're a NY band that blends funk, afropop and a bit of an Ethiopian feel, mostly instrumental. They record for Daptone records. Also check out Either/Orchestra, a Boston-based band, jazz players who fell in love with Ethiopian music.

If you're looking for funky, gospel-influenced jazz piano like Ramsey Lewis, Les McCann is your best bet, along with Timmons.

I was blanking while trying to recall them earlier

[TedLogan]

Les McCann is amazing. Thanks @PeteC
"Suck it to me hey!"

[spacebull1]

The language looks like Turkish to me. Maybe cem can help you.

It is Turkish....

[Pete C]

It is Turkish....

On the off chance you meant that Amharic is a Turkic language, I checked. It's a Semitic language.

But what is Ron Eschete's background?

[baksheesh]

Blue Train - awesome to see/hear Fela posted! That guy was the Emperor!

Btw, have you heard his later stuff? Just Like That and Pansa Pansa are his greatest achievements IMHO