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Episode 35 — Mulatu Astatke, Pentatonic Worlds and Ethio Jazz
Mulatu Astatke — the father of Ethio jazz — joins me in a long-lost interview recorded during Hackney Colliery Band’s Collaborations Vol. 1 sessions. We dig into pentatonic worlds, the Derashe tribe, unusual scales, and how Ethiopian traditions shaped global music.
There’s also a trip through the physics of sound, a live Barbican recording of “Derashe”, and reflections on Mulatu’s incredible collaborations from Duke Ellington to Talib Kweli. A deep, warm, gently mind-bending episode.
Episode 33 - Malawian Madalitso, Vampire Vamps & Sofa Songs
From sofa farts to Malawian folk, Steve Pretty explores how play, curiosity and imperfection keep music alive.
Episode 32 – Sampling Firepits, Feeling Flamenco, Finding Tonás
From a Dorset firepit to Manchester flamenco, Steve Pretty explores how rhythm and emotion evolve through sound.