Molly Tigre by Molly Tigre
Memorably described as “Ethiopian funk drinks a progressive jazz cocktail at Miles Davis’ 1970’s loft party,” Molly Tigre’s polyrhythmic stew is music for the body and mind.
Molly Tigre marries the rhythms and melodies of African music– especially the entrancing styles from Ethiopia and Mali- with a uniquely progressive and exploratory jazz sound. Featuring the compositions of saxophonist Mitch Marcus (Donovan, Dave Dreiwitz) and bassist Ezra Gale (Super Hi-Fi, Aphrodesia), the band also features saxophonist Chris Hiatt (Japonize Elephants), drummer Joe Abba (Dave Douglas, The Ramones, Donny McCaslin) and percussionist Ibrahima Kolipe Camara (National Dance Company of Guinea, Kakande). The New York City based-quintet has been stewing since 2015, but their wide-ranging sound hasn't been captured on tape until now. Their debut album, recorded at Nine Lives Studio in Jersey City and at The Creamery in Brooklyn, features eight ear-popping tracks that range from the imaginary Bollywood-meets-West Africa mash-up "Hello Bolly" to the searing funk of "Lebanese Blond" to the outer space jazz of "Y Knot" to the winking homage to classic 70's Ethiopian groove, "Ethiofreaks," which even comes complete with guest vibraphone (from Tommy Mattioli) and Farfisa organ.
Tracklist
| 1. | Hello Bolly | 5:33 |
| 2. | Lebanese Blond | 3:52 |
| 3. | Couscous Timbuktu | 5:57 |
| 4. | Y Knot | 6:41 |
| 5. | Ethiofreaks | 5:50 |
| 6. | Slush Fund | 4:14 |
| 7. | Tolo | 5:18 |
| 8. | Yekermo Sew | 5:01 |
Credits
Tracks 1, 4, 7 written by Mitch Marcus pub by EPM Music
Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6 written by Ezra Gale, pub. by BMI
Track 8 written by Mulatu Astatke, pub. by SDRM, Pentagon Lipservices CRC
Recorded by Nicola Stemmer at 9 Lives, Jersey City except Ethiofreaks recorded by Quinn McCarthy at The Creamery, Brooklyn, NY
Mixed by Nicola Stemmer and Ezra Gale
Mastered by Jeff Hiatt at Turtle Studios, Philadelphia, PA
Photos by Cari Ann Shim-Sham
Mitch Marcus- tenor sax, baritone sax, farfisa
Chris Hiatt- alto sax, tenor sax, flute (except 5)
Ezra Gale- bass
Ibrahima Kolipe Camera- djembe, conga, percussion (except 5)
Joe Abbatantuono- drums, cymbals
Seth Paris- alto sax (5)
Mamadou Konate Simbo- djembe, talking drum (5)
Tommy Mattioli- vibraphone (5)
www.mollytigre.com
License
All rights reserved.
Memorably described as “Ethiopian funk drinks a progressive jazz cocktail at Miles Davis’ 1970’s loft party,” Molly Tigre’s polyrhythmic stew is music for the body and mind.