Sketches of Ethiopia

Sketches of Ethiopia is a studio album by Ethiopian musician, composer, and arranger Mulatu Astatke. It was released in 2013 through Jazz Village. It peaked at number 24 on the UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart.

Richie Troughton of The Quietus stated, "The music itself mixes urban club tempos with traditional rural folk styles, with Mulatu's trademark Ethio-jazz fusion of Latin percussion and Afro-funk rhythms." He added, "While the Ethio-jazz movement may have inspired many young musicians in Ethiopia to pick up instruments, this album serves as a reminder that the original architect of the form is still the undisputed master." Howard Male of The Independent commented that "Each track here is a distinctive entity which contributes to a cohesive funky whole." Banning Eyre of NPR stated, "It's never predictable and, for all the surprises, it never feels cluttered or gimmicky."

Credits adapted from liner notes.

• Mulatu Astatke – vibraphone, piano, keyboards, arrangement, production

Steps Ahead Band

• James Arben – flute, oboe, tenor saxophone, clarinet
• Richard Olatunde Baker – percussion
• John Edwards – double bass, bass guitar
• Alexander Hawkins – piano, keyboards
• Danny Keane – keyboards, cello
• Tom Skinner – drums
• Byron Wallen – trumpet

Additional musicians

• Yohanes Afwork – washint
• Messale Asmamow – krar
• Indris Hassun – masinko
• Fatoumata Diawara – vocals (8)
• Tesfaye – vocals

Technical personnel

• Alexis Maryon – cover photography

• Sketches of Ethiopia at Discogs (list of releases)