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Miles Kurosky’s Silver Lining: The “Ethiopiques” Series

MilesKuroskylogoPortland, Ore.-based Miles Kurosky is what old-time journalists used to call a “great quote.” He’s one of the few interview subjects you’ll find in the music biz these days who’s totally unafraid to step on a few toes to get his point across. And he’s got the musical chops to back up his shoot-from-the-hip posture. Kurosky’s previous band, Beulah, was a true California original, good enough to catch the ear of pop genius Robert Schneider of Apples In Stereo, who released the first Beulah album under the banner of the Elephant 6 collective. As is the case with other creative one-man shows (Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle, for example) the transition from band to solo career is as simple as painting a new name on the office’s glass door. The Desert Of Shallow Effects (Majordomo) is every bit as exhilarating as anything Kurosky has ever cut. Kurosky will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him and more about Beulah.

ethiopque-seriesKurosky: Before I started this guest editorship for MAGNET, I promised myself I wouldn’t post anything about esoteric artists or musicians. I just wanted to write about things I truly love and understand, no matter how pedestrian. I mean, have y’all read Devendra Banhart’s guest-editor column? I think if someone farts in Africa, he’s the first person to smell it. I’m not trying to be derisive, seriously. It’s just my boorish way of saying I’m really impressed with his knowledge. Let’s be honest, I can’t compete with that dude. Yet, here I go … Ethiopiques is a collection of records featuring Eritrean and Ethiopian jazz, soul and pop musicians from the ’60s and ’70s. Think Duke Ellington, James Brown and Motown colliding in the streets of Addis Ababa. Most of the songs on these CDs were originally recorded for labels like Kaifa and Amha, but have been re-released by the Parisian label Buda. I think there are around 25 volumes, but my favorites are three, eight, 13 and 14. In my humble opinion, volume four, which features only the work of Mulatu Astatke, is probably the greatest mood music ever composed.

Video after the jump.