Mahmoud Ahmed with the Ibex Band - Jegol New Betwa (1978) +MP4

mahmoud ahmed - Jeguol Naw Betwa a 1978 self released LP by one of the greatest Ethiopian vocalists of all time* Cocoa butter-slick soul album from Mahmoud Ahmed, reissued for the first time on any format by the venerable Mississippi Records. 'Jeguol Naw Betwa' captures the Ethiopian vocal legend in stunning form at the end of the 'golden age' of Ethiopian urban music, showcasing a style distinctly more soul-based than the jazzy funk of say, Mulatau Astatke, but obviously not without its similarities to the renowned composer. It was originally self-released in 1978 and features Mahmoud more-than-ably backed by The Ibex Band, a bunch of regular players on the Ethiopiques series who possess some of the deadliest instrumental instincts imaginable, here playing it intoxicatingly cool and and seductively snakey under transcendent, sublimely ecstatic vocals. Like any of the other instalments on the Ethiopiques series it's nigh on impossible to perfectly sum up the atmosphere these records create until the needle drops and you're instantly transported to a smoky nightspot on the horn of Africa 40 years ago, but checking the samples will help somewhat. You imagine the condition of the original, so the remastering by Timothy Stollenwork is second-to-none, and the old-school, full colour, tip-on jacket is another bonus. http://boomkat.com/vinyl/446763-mahmoud-ahmed-jeguol-naw-betwa