Let me be perfectly honest, Ethiopian Jazz is not a term that I had ever heard before this week, but I’m so glad I did. Also called, “Ethio-jazz”, it blends traditional Ethiopian sounds/melodies with jazz, funk, and even Latin influences. If that sounds confusing, let me reassure you that it is a dynamite combination. To Know Without Knowing has all of these great Ethio-jazz sounds, plus hip-hop. This is what happens when you combine Mulata Astatke (commonly known as the father of Ethio-jazz) with Black Jesus Experience - Astatke’s hip-hop influenced backing band. Many of the tracks flow nicely, with trumpet, saxophone, piano, and other jazz rhythmic instruments. But then, Black Jesus Experience lays down smooth, timely rhymes overtop, and it just sounds meant to be. This album will be a part of my working playlist for a long time, it is perfect to have on while powering through something.