Mikimac brings groovy ethio-afro-funk from Finland

Ethiopian singer-songwriter MikiMac released his single – አመሌ ጠማማ (My Ego) Together with the funky band The Blassics.

I sincerely apologise that the song title is mangled into symbols due to not having Ethiopian typefaces on the Mac. So you may find it shows the same to you irrespective of the operating system.

Even if the single is part nameless, we assure you the groove will still translate!

The Blassics album Togetherings has been on repeated play since we reviewed it so the bands signature sound is now immediately recognisable. The baritone saxophone, the sweet rhythm and the free-flowing keys combine to create an electrifying afro-funk / jazz fusion. As on the album, Mikimac sings in his native Ethiopian voice, a language we sadly do not understand, however, his delivery style and open demeanour are key to the attraction to his contemporary sound.

Mikimac’s ethio-afro-funk is sure to have more than Helsinki dancing soon!

Mikimac

Mikimac grew up in the small town of Debre Berhan. He became qualify for music studies in Addis Ababa University in 2012. Despite studying music written by others, Mikimac felt a strong need for finding his own music taste and started his first acoustic band Le-Alem in 2013 that performed in many places both in Ethiopia and in Finland.

MikiMac remains authentic to his origins, with Ethiopian melancholic singing style from ’50s and ’60s and his mellow voice present in his music, that exhibits his unique approach of composing with complex structures and fine use of improvisation, yet easy to listen for every music fan. With his music, MikiMac wants to spread positive messages and thoughts.

While in Ethiopia MikiMac worked with prominent Ethiopian artists and bands such as the acclaimed Retrieve Ethio Big Band (Trombonist), Ethio-Spanish Symphony Orchestra and Zion Rebels, The Grammy nominee artist Wayna Wondwossen and The Father of Ethio Jazz Mulatu Astatke. He has also been performing at Selam Festival and collaborated with French rapper Gael Faye and many other artists. He has also represented Ethiopia in an international music festival 2016 (Tanzania Dar choral society).

After moving to Finland in 2016, MikiMac has been working with many Finnish musicians and he is currently lead singer of the legendary Finnish afro-funk band The Blassics. They released their latest album Togetherings in 2019. The album got lots of international radio plays and excellent reviews and the band has performed at several Finnish music festivals such as Naamat Festival, Funky Elephant, Hit The Break, Linna Jazz and others. The Blassics also made a European Tour to Leuven, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2019.

Mikimac has recorded his music at Odd Funk Records studio with The Blassics and is looking forward to showing the world more of his unique melancholic yet awesomely groovy music.