Blogtrotters

Friday, September 30, 2016

Orchestra Ethiopia - The Blue Nile Group [1969] [ethiopia]










       Orchestra Ethiopia was an Ethiopian performing group formed in 1963 by the Egyptian-born American composer and ethnomusicologist Halim El-Dabh (born 1921). The group, which was founded in Addis Ababa, comprised up to 30 traditional instrumentalists, vocalists, and dancers from many different Ethiopian regions and ethnic groups (including Amhara, Tigray-Tigrinia, Oromo, Welayta, and Gimira). It was the first ensemble of its type, as these diverse instruments and ethnic groups previously had never played together. For a time, due to El-Dabh's efforts, the Orchestra was in residence at the Creative Arts Centre of Haile Selassie I University (now Addis Ababa University).





Orchestra Ethiopia ‎– The Blue Nile Group [full album]




           Its main instruments included krar (medium lyre), masenqo (one-string fiddle), begena (large lyre), washint (end-blown flute with finger holes), embilta (end-blown flute without finger holes), malakat (straight trumpet), kabaro (drum), and other percussion instruments. On occasion, it also used the tom, an mbira-like instrument.

           Many of Orchestra Ethiopia's performances were theatrical in nature, such as the drama The Potter, which was arranged by El-Dabh.








             Following El-Dabh's departure from Ethiopia in 1964, subsequent directors included John G. Coe, an American Peace Corps volunteer (1964-1966); and Tesfaye Lemma (1966-1975), both of whom composed and arranged for the group. During Lemma's tenure as director, in 1968, another American Peace Corps volunteer, the Harvard-educated Charles Sutton, Jr., was assigned by the Peace Corps to assist the Orchestra as Administrator, a position in which he continued until 1970. Sutton had arrived in Ethiopia in 1966 and, immediately attracted to Ethiopia's traditional music, actually mastered the masenqo, studying with Orchestra member Getamesay Abebe. He began performing with the Orchestra in March 1967 (playing masenqo and singing in Amharic), at Lemma's invitation. The group performed frequently in hotels and at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, and appeared on national radio (including Radio Voice of the Gospel) and television. The group also had an audience with Emperor Haile Selassie I.










              In the spring of 1969, due to the efforts of Sutton and the Peace Corps, Orchestra Ethiopia toured the Midwest and East Coast of the United States, under the name "The Blue Nile Group". The group performed in twenty cities, including Manhattans Town Hall and The Ed Sullivan Show (in early March).

                The group released two LP recordings, both entitled Orchestra Ethiopia. The first, subtitled "The Blue Nile Group", was released on Tempo Records c. 1969; and the second was released on Blue Nile Records, in 1973 or 1974. The Orchestra was also featured in a National Geographic documentary film entitled Ethiopia: The Hidden Empire (1970). By 1975, due to the upheavals caused by the Derg revolution, the group finally disbanded, although many of its musicians continued to perform with other groups, and as soloists. The group's washint player, Melaku Gelaw, lives and continues to perform and record in Washington, D.C.; Tesfaye Lemma, now retired, lives in Washington, D.C. Masenqo player Getamesay Abebe and drummer, vocalist, and star dancer Zerihun Bekkele, both retired, continue to live in Ethiopia. Washint player Yohannes Afework, who had replaced Gelaw, lives in Addis Ababa and is retired from the Mazegajabet (Municipality) Orchestra. Coe, the former Executive Director of the Wyoming Arts Council, is now retired and living in Wyoming; and Sutton performs today as a jazz pianist in Connecticut (and continues to play masenqo for special occasions). Several other of the Orchestra's members have died in Ethiopia.

                  A selection of the Orchestra's archival recordings transferred from reel to reel audiotape to audio CDs by the Ethiopian-American engineer Andrew Laurence was released in Europe in late 2007, and was released in the United States in February 2008, as the 23rd volume in Buda Musique's Ethiopiques CD series, with the liner notes having been prepared by Sutton and Lemma.











            In 2007, a recording entitled Zoro Gettem (Reunion) was released on the Nahom Records label; the CD, recorded in Washington, D.C. in September 2006, features four of the Orchestra's former members (Charles Sutton, Getamesay Abbebe, Melaku Gelaw, and Tesfaye Lemma) performing repertoire they had performed together in the late 1960s.





A1 Gonderinna Gojjam (Vocals: Zerihun Bekkele) (3:43)
A2 Yesergey Ilet (Vocals: Tsehay Indale) (4:06)
A3 Himem, Himemey (Vocals: Kebbede Weldemariam) (3:44)
A4 Hodey Lahodey (Vocals: Almaz Getachew) (2:18)
A5 Ambassel (Washint: Yohannes Afework, Krar: Kebbede                                                                                                         Weldemariam) (2:36)



B1 Mesenko (Vocals: Charles Sutton) (3:16)
B2 Muzikachin (Vocals: Tsehay Indale, Yeshi Mebratey) (3:36)
B3 Mikir Fellega (Vocals: Charles Sutton, Kebbede Weldemariam, Areru                                                                                                Shegen) (3:20)
B4 Imbilta (Imbiltas: Areru Shegen, Ishete Gebremeskel, Nadew Kassa)                                                                                                             (2:03)
B5 Wichinna Beyt (Vocals: Kebbede Weldemariam, Tsehay Indale,                                                               Zerihun Bekkele, Yeshi Mebratey) (4:25)


The Orchestra Ethiopia is directed by Tesfaye Lemma.



Thursday, September 29, 2016

Alemayehu Eshete - Yefeker Kal Vol.8 [1997] [ethiopia]











           Alemayehu Eshete (Amharic: ዓለማየሁ እሸቴ?) (also written Alèmayèhu Eshèté in French) is an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer active since the 1960s who primarily sings in Amharic. Eshete's talent was recognized by colonel Rètta Dèmèqè who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa's famous Police Orchestra. Eshete had his first hit ("Seul") in 1961 before moving on to found the orchestra Alèm-Girma Band with Girma Bèyènè. Over the course of 15 years, Eshete released some 30 singles until the arrival of the communist Derg junta, which forced Eshete and many other artists into exile.

      Alemayehu Eshete has since gained fame in Europe and the Americas with the release of Buda Musique's Ethiopiques series of compilations on compact disc. Ethiopiques Volume 9 is devoted entirely to recordings of Eshete's earlier music, and Volume 22 covers his career between 1972 and 1974. Other songs have also appeared on Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13 or the series. In 2008 Eshete toured the United States with fellow Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed, backed by Boston's 10-piece Either/Orchestra.





Alemayehu Eshete & Badume's Band - Yeweyn Haregitu / Feleqleqe





         Alemayehu Eshete is one of the living legends of modern Ethiopian popular culture and one of the outstanding Ethiopian vocalists who emerged during the golden age of Ethiopian popular culture in the turbulent 1960s. Alongside Mahmoud Ahmed (who opened last year's Hullegeb Festival), Tilahun Gessesse and Bizunesh Bekele, he was among the first to adopt elements from rock-n-roll and American soul, including body movements, dance and hair styles, eventually coming to be known as "the James Brown of Addis." In the following years Eshete released over 30 albums that became enormous hits in Ethiopia and led various orchestras, including the famous Police Orchestra and groups that he himself established.

    Following the rise of the military junta, like many other artists, Eshete left Ethiopia and established himself in Europe and the US as a vibrant and exciting vocalist, including performances alongside Ahmed. The highly regarded Ethiopiques series devoted two albums to his works, the first focusing upon his earlier works and the second, upon his career during the early 1970s.




Alemayehu Eshete - 01 - Yemewded Kal (4:57)
Alemayehu Eshete - 02 - Hello Hello Bil (4:52)
Alemayehu Eshete - 03 - Kurate Nesh (6:17)
Alemayehu Eshete - 04 - Sesete Nesh (5:09)
Alemayehu Eshete - 05 - Mignote (6:22)
Alemayehu Eshete - 06 - Tsebay (5:26)
Alemayehu Eshete - 07 - Shalala (5:03)
Alemayehu Eshete - 08 - Ande Negne (6:54)
Alemayehu Eshete - 09 - Wey Nedo (5:28)
Alemayehu Eshete - 10 - Yene Gela (5:51)




Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Jazzmaris - [2011] - Concert in Paris [ethiopia]











   

         Jazzmaris is a quartet from Ethiopia and Germany, playing since 2007 in Addis Ababa and elsewhere.The composition of the group is: drums, bass, electric guitar and alto saxophone.

          Their music’s are Ethiopian melodies played as own arrangements with various influences like Jazz, Rock and improvised music.

         The group’s name is a combination of the words Jazz and Asmaris. The Asmaris are the traditional musicians (troubadours) of Ethiopia. They play and sing since centuries, expressing the feelings and opinions of the people.

      The repertoire of Jazzmaris is mostly modern Ethiopian songs of singers like Mahmoud Ahmed, Girma Beyene, Muluken Melesse, Telahoun Gessesse and others. The aim of the group is to play Ethiopian music in a fresh way, giving the music a new expression and sound.







Jazzmaris in Paris 2011





drums (Nathaniel Tesemma) 
bass (Henock Temesgen) 
electric guitar (Jörg Pfeil) 
alto saxophone (Olaf Boelsen)




1. Lanchi Biye
2. Yekatit
3. Almaz Ye Hararwa
4. Musicawi Silt
5. Ene Negn Bai Manesh
6. Meche New
7. Meche Dereshe
8. Aynotche Terabu




Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Lemma GebreHiwot - various [ethiopia]












Lema GebreHiwot - Medina ena Zelesegna





Lemma GebreHiwot - 01 - Ayne Addis Zewoter (5:04)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 02 - Berye Eshururu (4:47)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 03 - Emam Woshebe (5:12)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 04 - Ere Endemin Alesh (3:41)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 05 - Eyoha (1:54)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 06 - Gamo Belu (3:37)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 07 - Gelele (3:58)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 08 - Giw Giw (6:09)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 09 - Gurumreme (6:08)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 10 - Hedech Alu (6:07)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 11 - Musheroch Mare Mare (6:14)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 12 - Sengo Megen (4:56)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 13 - Shemonmon (3:29)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 14 - Tey Man Nesh (5:14)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 15 - Yeweyn Abebaye (6:31)
Lemma GebreHiwot - 16 - Yewofe Birabeba (2:23)




v.a. - ethio jazz compilation [2012] [ethiopia]



                             
   R E U P L O A D   





       


       One of my first compilations made for this blog. Brief introduction to the beginings of ethiopian jazz music, with some newer authors.

         Enjoy and comment!





1. Mulatu Astatke - Maskaram Setaba (1:47)
2. Teshome Mitiku - Yekrmo Sew (4:18)
3. Tesfa Maryam Kidane - Heywete (5:16)
4. Bahta Gebre-Heywet - Ewnet Yet Lagegnesh (2:47)
5. Charles Sutton quartet - Uuta ayaskefam  (5:40)
6. Girma Beyene - Set Alamenem  (5:28)

7. Sax Summit - Feker ende sekuar  (8:18)
8. Addis Acoustic Project - Selam Yihoun Lehoulachin (4:43)
9. Mulatu Astatke - Netsanet (5:35)
10. Arat Kilo - Get a Chew (4:48)
11. Akalé Wubé - Ragalé (5:10)
12. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Selam Temagwet (5:36)

13. Debo Band - Akale Wube [trad.] (4:53)
14. Asmara All Stars - Bloom Brothers Mood (6:36)
15. Tesfa Mariam Kidane - Victim of Famine (4:35)
16. Girma Wolde Michael - Loga [Nesh Loga] (6:23)
17. Daniel W/Gabriel - Befikirish Meyaze (6:10)
18. Abiyou Solomon - Munane Agew (5:54)

19. Nebiyu T. Kebede - Groovy (3:46)
20. Ethio Band - Ethiopian melody (7:29)
21. Theodros Mitiku - Teddy's Mood (6:29)
22. Moges Habte - Alchalkum (6:17)
23. Yared Tefera - Anchi Hoyew Lene (6:01)
24. Tilaye Gebre - Yenigat Kokeb/Yelelit Berehane (9:31)









Monday, September 26, 2016

Kiros Alemayehu - Best of Kiros Alemayehu [2007] [ethiopia]












       Kiros Alemayehu (Ge'ez: ኪሮስ ዓለማየሁ)(1948–1994) was an Ethiopian Tigrigna singer. He was born in Tigray region, Saesi Tsaedaemba and was the only child to his parents.

       Kiros was born to his father Girazmach Alemayehu Meles and Mrs. Qeleb Gebremeskel in the eastern part of Tigray region, in a village known as Saesi Tsaedaemba in 1948 (1940 EC). He went to school in the nearby city of Wukro and then joined Atse Yohannes High School in Mekelle.






Kiros Alemayehu - Aymenekuwan




       Kiros was a prolific song writer and singer. He popularized Tigrigna songs through his albums to the non-Tigrinya speaking Ethiopians. Before joining Ras Theatre in 1975E.C (circa 1982-1983) where he published his first Album, Kiros had worked as assistant trainer of Tigray Musical Troupe (ትግራይ ኪነት). Some of his songs include "Anguay fisis", "Fililiy","Selam Hawa", "Suwur Fikri" "Adey Mekele". Kiros along with other musicians had played in Libya and other middle eastern countries. A memorial library is under construction in Wukro near his birthplace.

Kiros died from intestinal complications in 1994.




Kiros Alemayehu - 01. Selam Hawa (5:38)
Kiros Alemayehu - 02. Anchb Taerif (7:32)
Kiros Alemayehu - 03. Mase (7:08)
Kiros Alemayehu - 04. Sebdeyeley (6:34)
Kiros Alemayehu - 05. Zeyettsgib Fikrie (4:51)
Kiros Alemayehu - 06. Baeley Kmaleaki (6:36)
Kiros Alemayehu - 07. Filieyiliey (5:00)
Kiros Alemayehu - 08. Megalewa (5:30)
Kiros Alemayehu - 09. Gezana (5:52)
Kiros Alemayehu - 10. Ayekungina (6:41)
Kiros Alemayehu - 11. Lewey Lewey (4:21)
Kiros Alemayehu - 12. Zeyieresaekinie (4:30)
Kiros Alemayehu - 13. Siwir Fikirie (4:55)
Kiros Alemayehu - 14. Meseretu Selam Eyu (3:01)


Friday, September 23, 2016

Ayalew Mesfin - Mare Nesh [2009] [ethiopia]





                                                 R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   





       Ayalew Mesfin, being seemingly one of the underdogs of his time, he was extremly funky. His tunes from the Ethiopiques series can prove that, listening to Feker Aydellem Wey or Hasabe you might see why. He first started his career in the 70's and is comparable to the style of Alemayehu Eshete. His Fetan Band and The Black Lion Band had definetly an approach to western funk.










       Probably the most fuzzed out track on all of Buda Musique‘s sprawling twenty some odd volumes of their Éthiopiques series, has to be Ayaléw Mèsfin & Black Lion Band’s song Hasabé. That song can be found on the eighth volume, but Mèsfin and his band have been featured on the 13th and 24th volumes, as well as a Rough Guide compilation called The Rough Guide to African Blues.




                                    
 Ayalew Mesfin - Hasabé




       Ayaléw Mèsfin got his start playing with a band called Fetan Band – or Speed Band – at the Patrice Lumumba Bar in Addis Ababa. According to his biography, he has released “about twenty singles and a dozen tapes released since 1974. He also opened the Ayaléw Music Shop in Addis Ababa, that he still owns even after moving to America. 

       In January 2008, he performed with the Dutch band The Ex at the Hager Fekir Theatre in Addis Ababa.











01. Ayalew Mesfin - Mare Nesh Ethiopia (6:15)
02. Ayalew Mesfin - Wukaw (4:49)
03. Ayalew Mesfin - Gelel Bey (6:51)
04. Ayalew Mesfin - Gud New (5:45)
05. Ayalew Mesfin - Midirachin Tetades (5:02)
06. Ayalew Mesfin - Selam Le Ethiopia (5:33)
07. Ayalew Mesfin - Ti ishaleeh Nefise (5:03)
08. Ayalew Mesfin - Talika Atigbu (6:25)
09. Ayalew Mesfin - Yanchin Neger (5:56)
10. Ayalew Mesfin - Amesegnalehu (5:05)




Thursday, September 22, 2016

v.a. - [2013] - Mystic Soundz From Afrika (Lost Field Recordings 1960-1973) [LP]











MYSTIC SOUNDZ FROM AFRIKA - Bagana






Tracklist


A1 – Drum Dirge               Ethiopia, 1971
A2 – Misengu                    Zaïre, 1973
A3 – Guji Men Chorus       Ethiopia, 1965
A4 – Bagana                      Ethiopia, 1971
A5 – Forked-Harp             Ivory Coast, 1965
A6 – Landa Orchestra       Togo, 1972
A7 – Flute Ensemble         Ethiopia, 1967



B1 – Tiger Recitative         Ethiopia, 1967
B2 – Amharic Love Song   Ethiopia, 1971
B3 – Somba Tipenti           Dahomey, 1965
B4 – Berba Music               Dahomey, 1965
B5 – Kondana                    Togo, 1960




Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Yeshimebet Dubale - unknown album [ethiopia]












Yeshemebet Dubale - Tiz Alegn





Yeshimebet Dubale - 01 - Menew [ምነው] (5:20)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 02 - Ateshfetebte [አትሽፍትበት] (5:57)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 03 - Hakime [ሐኪሜ] (6:05)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 04 - Men belehegn Nebere [ምን ብለኸኝ ነበር] (6:51)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 05 - Yekere [ይቅር] (6:16)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 06 - Yeshalale [ይሻላል] (4:46)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 07 - Bamarlegn [ባማረልኝ] (4:36)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 08 - Ateketatelegn [አትከታተልኝ] (7:17)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 09 - Yante Yalehe [ያንተ ያለህ] (4:59)
Yeshimebet Dubale - 10 - Eresaw [እርሳው] (6:10)




Monday, September 19, 2016

v.a. - Oromo Guitar Songs [ethiopia]












Abitew Kebede - Ijaan Nalaalte [በአይኗ አይታኝ]





        Poor rip of 7 folders containing some of the famous Oromo guitar players and singers, such as Abitew KebedeAdem Harun, Kedir Said, Abdullahi Jirma, Abdi Qophee and many other.





Abitew Kebede





Adem Harun and  Kedir Said