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Imperial Tiger Orchestra
Avg 2.37 / 5
Total of 93 votes |
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Last update: 02/03/12 20:11:57 Account: Artist Quota Location: EUROPE: Switzerland Signed up: 12 Apr 2010 12:13 PM Members: Raphael Anker: trumpet ; John Menoud: sax baryton ; Alexandre Rodrigues: fender rhodes, roland juno ; Cyril Moulas: bass, phin ; Julien Israelian: drums ; Luc Détraz: percussions. Genre: Ethio Jazz Influences: Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatqe, Getatchew Mekurya, Muluqen Melesse, Tlahoun Gessesse, Alemayehu Eshete, Bizunesh Beqele, Hirut Beqele, Abonesh Adinew, Aster Aweke, Rahel Yohannes, Tamert Molla, Martha Ashagani The Ex, Rootless Cosmopolitans, Lounge Lizards Website: http://www.myspace.com/imperialtigerorchestra |
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(Read our review of the Imperial Tiger Orchestra here.)
Ethiopia revisited! While compilations of music of Ethiopian heritage are flooding the market, Imperial Tiger Orchestra offers a unique sound combining modern and traditional inspiration.
The Orchestra's repertoire consists of revamped remakes of songs from the golden age of Ethiopian music, traditionals standards and latest Addis productions: a powerful horn section, deadly percussions and relentless keyboards provide a merciless and efficient instrumental reinterpretation and improvisation based on original vocal songs. Preserving the natural beauty of melodies and Ethiopian sound while exploring uncharted territory, playing with textures and dynamics, adding distortions and noise to complete beautiful pieces, the self-proclaimed counterfeiters embrace dark hypnotic rhythms, obsessive basslines and grooves from electronic music. Far from any purist notions, the musicians surprise and delight with traditional Thaï "phin" guitar mixed into traditional ethiopian "kebero" percussion. Just one example among many others.
It's groove experimentation, it's improvisational heat.
À l’heure où les compilations déferlent de toute part pour exhumer l’héritage musical éthiopien, Imperial Tiger Orchestra propose un son inédit et original alliant modernité et inspiration traditionnelle. Ce sextet surprenant, aux allures improbables interprète et revisite autant l’âge d’or de la musique éthiopienne que les standards traditionnels en passant par les dernières productions d’Addis-Abeba. Composé d’une section de cuivres puissante (trompette/ saxophones baryton et alto) et d’une section rythmique implacable (batterie/ percussions/ claviers vintage et midi/ basse électrique), Imperial Tiger Orchestra distille des sets à l’énergie redoutable. Musique essentiellement chantée à l’origine, le groupe préserve la beauté des lignes mélodiques et des modes éthiopiens, tout en sortant des sentiers battus. En faussaires assumés, Imperial Tiger Orchestra distille du groove instrumental, des rythmes hypnotiques menant à la transe et des lignes obsessionnelles qui puisent dans le vocabulaire de la musique électronique. Loin des notions puristes, les musiciens n’hésitent pas à brouiller les cartes en utilisant un « phin », guitare traditionnelle thaïlandaise au son acéré comme le couteau à côté du traditionnel « kebero » éthiopien.
Musiqawi Silt
(23 May 2010 09:44 PM)
What is the reason for the sudden popularity of Ethiopian Music. Western musicians cannot seem to get enough. I'm not complaining mind you, but the surge in popularity is curious. This curiosity has spawned the Imperial Tiger Orchestra, based in Geneva. Out of the numerous big bands that have been popping up around the globe, ITO is by far the closest to retaining that certain "je ne sais quo", that is Ethiopian music. The organic feeling of "Djemeregne" is palpable. The hand claps, that provide a counter to the steady beat of the bass drum, the build up of energy by the ethereal sounding keyboards in the background while the brass section does its thing in the foreground, and of course the spot on drumming! While ITO does manage to "get" the vibe of Ethiopian music. they sometimes stray into other, lets say "non-Ethiopian" genres. On the opening track, entitled "Bati", the guitar playing is nice but, if I were very generous it sounds more Eritrean, but really. closer to Mali than Ethiopia, or Eritrea for that matter. Otherwise their interpretation of "Bati" is very well done. The only time where the CD does not work for me as representative of Ethiopian music is on the sixth track, "Aha Gedawo". It seems to build and build but never arrives at its destination. I enjoyed it as a groove oriented piece of music, but being intimately familiar with the original version(s) I was disappointed with this rendition. The inclusion of a live version of "Bati" is illuminating at how tight the band is. I would LOVE to see them if they ever tour in the US. As a whole the CD is well produced, with musicians who obviously have a love for the subject matter. Even when some of the material delves into other genres, like jazz, it maintains its DNA, its unique Ethiopian identity. For those that listen to Imperial Tiger Orchestra for the first time, and are aficionados of Ethiopian music, I liken this to hearing a non Ethiopian person, speaking fluent Amharic, but with that slight Fernji accent. I urge you to take a listen, you'll thank me for it. ENJOY. |
admin
(04 May 2010 03:30 PM)
This is my newest favorite! Great job guys! I can't wait to see some live performances!!! |