To Ethiopian audiences, Tlahoun Gèssèssè is THE VOICE, even more so
than Mahmoud Ahmed, Alèmayèhu Eshèté or Mulatu Astatqé. Endowed with a
phenomenal, innate vocal talent, he has been the asbsolute and
unequalled icon for an entire country since the fifties, heading up the
list of Ethiopian discography. Based around seven ‘modernist’ pieces
arranged by the brilliant and innovative Mulatu Astatqé (Ethiopiques 4:
«Ethiojazz»), these first Ethiopiques devoted to Talhoun Gèssèssè also
present ten other songs accompanied by musicians from the Ethiopian
institutional bands: the Army Band, the Exhibition Band, the Police
Orchestra, the Body Guard Band. Another CD gathering together all his
vynil recordings with the Imperial Body Guard Band is scheduled for
upcoming Ethiopiques…
