The latest releases reviewed

Since the series debuted in 1998, Francis Falceto's 23 (to date) Ethiopiques releases have provento be an extraordinary treasure trove of sounds from the golden age of Ethiopian and Eritrean music in the 1960s and 1970s. Considering the political background at the time of the recordings (Emperor Haile Selaisse's lengthy reign was coming to a close and a brutal military dictatorship was waiting in the wings), the sheer infectious and free-flowing spirit of these tracks is quite incredible to behold. Back then, regardless of what was happening behind closed doors in government buildings, the clubs in Addis Ababa were swinging, full of musicians and band-leaders exploring different styles of music and coming up with their own language. Dive in and prepare to start collecting the 23 albums you've missed to date. www.ethiopiques.info   JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Mahmoud Ahmed: Ere Mela Mela, Tlahoun Gèssèssè: Tchuhete Betsemu,Alèmayèhu Eshèté: Telantena Zare