Consumer Guide Album

Mahmoud Ahmed: Almaz [Buda Musique, 1999]
Full-voiced and emotional, the strong Middle Eastern cast of his delivery evoking soul shout as well, Ahmed is the biggest singing star Ethiopia has produced, a young comer who negotiated the insane political particularities of his ancient land to become a respected pro. These muscular early recordings from 1972 or so, a/k/a Éthiopiques 6, sound rougher but no less fevered and distinct than the circa-1975 stuff collected on his certified classic Ere Mela Mela. On both I love the sour two-man sax sections and crudely insistent rhythms. On both I wish I knew what he was trying to tell his world. B+