The collaboration between the pioneer of Ethio-Jazz, Mulatu Astatke and London based experimental band The Heliocentrics, was a dream project for Folded Wing and Karen personally. After meeting Mulatu in Toronto, Canada in 2007, Karen nurtured her relationship and, with the support of the Red Bull Music Academy, we were able to secure his first UK performance for 15 years for Broad Casting at Cargo.

Mulatu needed a band to support him and Karen put him in touch with Now Again/Stones Throw’s The Heliocentrics led by drummer, producer and innovator Malcolm Catto. The sold out show was a huge success and generated a wealth of incredible audio content including interviews for a podcast series, and a live show broadcast on Red Bull Music Academy Radio. Karen also managed to line up a Worldwide Maida Vale session with her old colleague Gilles Peterson for BBC Radio 1.

Not surprisingly this unique collaboration also gained widespread interest and column inches from national press and music blogs alike. Even more excitingly a one-off recording project was then signed to the Strut imprint on !K7, who drafted Karen in to help A&R the album.

Last but not least, Folded Wing were commissioned to make a short podcast documenting the collaboration. Featuring interviews with Mulatu, Gilles Peterson, Quinton Scott (Strut) and our very own Karen P, it’s a lovely behind the scenes look at this amazing collaborative project.

LINKS

Watch the Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics Documentary >
Stream Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics Live at Broad Casting >

DOWNLOAD

Download the Inspiration Information Podcast >