v.a. - Assiyo Bellema - Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music [2013]

             All hits compilation of late 1960s to early 1970s Ethiopian soul and R 'n' B. Very intensely groove oriented material by some of Ethiopia's top musicians. Includes songs by Mulatu Astatke, Seyfou Yohannes, Ayelew Mesfin, Getatchew Kassa, and the mighty Abbebe Tessemma. Nonstop party. Old school 'tip on' sleeve.

         Class side of Ethio R&B hits dating to late ’60s and early ’70s. It comes out of the blocks hard with Astatke’s Assiyo Bellema and Tessemma’s Ashasha Beyew both boasting irresistible polyrhythmic grooves, the former bouncing along with queasy steel drum details, while the latter is driven by organ chords and lovely bright brass.

       While other highlights come courtesy of Yohannes’ lounge jazz-inflected Yekermo Sew with smooth sax, bubbling guitar work and a fascinating cyclic piano line, Mesfin’s bouncy funk-soaked Lene Antchi Bitcha Nesh and the irresistible polyrhythmic call-and-response simplicity of Damtew Ayele’s ‘Wefe Yelala’, the whole LP is a delight, although with these warm exotic shuffle grooves it feels like more of a soiree than a party.

01. Mulatu Astatque - Assiyo Bellema (2:54)

02. Abbebe Tessemma - Ashasha Beyew (3:36)

03. Getatchew Kassa & Soul Ekos Band - Bey Lesnabetesh (4:03)

04. Seyfou Yohannes - Yekermo Sew (4:18)

05. Abbebe Tessemma - Gebru Guratch Gute (2:45)

06. Samuel Belay - Lebene Sheweshew (3:12)

07. Seyfou Yohannes - Metche Dershe (3:58)

08. Ayalew Mesfin - Lene Antchi Bitcha Nesh (4:00)

09. Damtew Ayele - Wefe Yelala (2:57)

10. Tamrat Molla & Venus Band - Ber Anbar Seberelewo (3:26)