Ukandanz

For fifteen years, Ukandanz’s explosive cocktail has proven itself with a formula that has been constantly refined: a way of exposing the ancient rhythms of Ethiopia to the jolts of garage rock and libertarian jazz… The group’s alchemy is based on the combination of the elastic voice of Asnake Gebreyes, one of the leading figures on the current Addis Ababa scene, and the compositions and arrangements of Damien Cluzel (Pixvae, An’Pagay, Polymorphie…), who is well versed in the art of musical syncretism. With Ukandanz, they revel in pushing the traditional repertoire and its polyrhythms to their limits, taking them on controlled detours into progressive, punk and experimental rock. For those wondering whether the heart of the ‘swinging Addis’ of the 1960s still beats, here is an answer in the form of an electric shock!