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Showing posts with label ethiopian popular music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ethiopian popular music. Show all posts

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Sami Dan - Keras Gar Negeger [2016] [ethiopia]










        Samuel Berhanu popularly known as Sami Dan is a reggae artist. He attended Addis Ababa University where he graduated with a degree in Construction Technology and Management. His music career began while in high school. At the time he played with the Eldan band for five years. He took a break to focus on his education and after he graduated he joined Hasset Acoustic Band and played for three years. With Hasset, he had the opportunity to be part of Sydney Solomon and Imperial Majestic Band and played there for a year.

         In 2014 Sami Dan started his own band, Zewd Acoustic. That year Sami also released a four-song promotional CD. His singles ‘Anchi Yene’ and ‘Shegitu’ got overwhelmingly positive feedback on radio and online. 

         He released his debut album Keras Gar Negeger in 2016.







Sami Dan - Kalesh Anchi [Lyrics] (ካለሽ አንቺ)



     
        Now with an intention to approach the entertainment world with a unique sound and style, Sami Dan has written all 13 tracks on the new album, songs that address critical social issues in Ethiopia like legislation and work ethics. Keras Gar Negeger (Speaking with oneself) is released by Blue Media PLC, the company better known for organising the Taste of Addis Food Festival and the Addis Beer Fest.

       An energetic live performer, Sami says his new album contains his own deep ideas and life experiences. He believes that artists are leaders in society and therefore need to address issues that affect the society, while also pointing out problems in the society with a view of encouraging positive change. “The ideas and the experiences I have acquired over the years in my career are interpreted in the album. I hope they will help someone learn from my challenges and successes,” he says.













Sami Dan - Man Yamnishal [Lyrics] (ማን ያምንሻል)










        Reggae is the dominant genre on the album but Sami says that as a versatile artist he has also included other genres. He reckons that reggae in Ethiopia is growing, but based on the history of the genre it has not yet attained the status it deserves. He is hopeful that a new crop of artists will take Ethiopian reggae to greater heights, and that his new album will contribute to the growth of reggae in the country.










Sami Dan - 01 - Wede Lay (4:03)
Sami Dan - 02 - Kalsh Anchi (5:00)
Sami Dan - 03 - Dimts Alba Sew (4:58)
Sami Dan - 04 - Yefetari Dirset (5:37)
Sami Dan - 05 - Tefa Yemileyen (5:02)
Sami Dan - 06 - Ewnet (4:53)
Sami Dan - 07 - Zare (4:36)
Sami Dan - 08 - Hoya Hoye (6:35)
Sami Dan - 09 - Fikir Selam (4:47)
Sami Dan - 10 - Man Yamnishal (4:51)
Sami Dan - 11 - Esatu Zemen (4:15)
Sami Dan - 12 - Yene Hayl (4:39)
Sami Dan - 13 - Yagere Lij (4:28)





Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Henok & Mehari Brothers - 790 [2008 E.C] [2016] [ethiopia]











     The Mehari Brothers started off backing artists like Zeritu Kebede and have also worked with other leading Ethiopian acts, including Teddy Afro, Johnny Ragga and Eyob Mekonnen.

      Before the Mehari Brothers emerged on the Ethiopian scene, singers usually received the most attention at live shows, with bands relegated to a back-up role.






Henok & Mehari Brothers - Yenenesh (Lyrics)





    In 2016 the band released a fifteen track album "790". The bands front-man Henok Mehari was also selected to participate at the Coke Studio Africa in Kenya that same year.










The band members

Henok Mehari on keys and vocals, 
Robel Mehari on guitar, 
Lwam Mehari on bass, 
Halal Mehari on drums, 
Tesfamariam Elias on keys and 
Zelalem Nigatu on drums.






Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Colonel Lemma Demissew - 7 songs [ethiopia]











          One of the most successful musicians of the 1970s and 80s Colonel Lemma Demissew has died at the age of 68 on Saturday, August 24th 2009. A pianist, composer, singer and arranger, Lemma was the leading musician of Armed Forces band, a band that has entertained the army and visiting heads of states for decades. Among his appreciative audiences were Fidel Castro of Cuba, Libya’s Muammar al-Qaddafi and the Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

        His songs such as “Astawesalehu” “Adrashas Tefabegn” and “Des Balagnalech” are still popular hits. Lemma also maintains reputation for arranging many of Mahmoud Ahmed’s and Alemayehu Eshete anthological vinyl records.







Lemma Demissew - አስታዉሳለሁ ( Astawsalehu )





          Born in Welisso in 1940, Lemma studied high school at Hailemaryam Mamo Secondary High School in Debre Birhan town and at the age of 15 joined the music section of the Armed Forces. There among other things he taught himself to play clarinet. Lemma impressed his superiors with his unique vocal style, demonstrating both outstanding range and the influences of western music. During his time in the Armed Forces, he has taken many musical courses, including a six-year-training in conducting in Soviet Union.

        Lemma has composed a number of official army songs by frequently abandoning the traditional rules and disciplines. He created new harmonies and pioneered new musical forms in which to present his musical ideas. Part of his success was the result of his mastery of the pleasant, tuneful style of piano. The single “Astawesalehu Mech Eresalehu” was his first hit and his talent for melodious, sentimental ballads became his most distinguishing feature. This music remains Lemma signature work and a favorite hit on local radio stations.

          Starting as simple soldier in 1974 he became an army commander and conductor of the roving marshal band. His advancement was rapid. His personal charm and his artistic abilities were partly responsible for his rapid advancement in the army.

       When Lemma resigned in 1993 after the army was disbanded, he was colonel. Even after that, he was much sought as a piano teacher by many, and his long list of students was a roster of the young and the old.






Lemma Demissew - ሰው መሳይ ሾካኮች  (Sew Mesay Shokakoch)





            In May 2009 when the Alliance Ethio-Francise organized the 8th Ethiopian Music Festival has chosen to honor Lemma and Sahle Dagago, another notable arranger and composer who is at present in poor health. Comparing it with Sahel Degago, Francis Falsetto described Lemma’s music as a feverish modernist, deeply inspired by the electric wave born on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

       Getachew Debalqe, a renowned stage personality, described Lemma as a hardworking and diligent musician. Getachew told Addis Journal that he was able visit Lemma two days before his demise. “I was lucky to be able to see him on Thursday. He didn’t say much but was able to utter some words.” Lemma had a stroke few years ago that has left him paralyzed.


            Bahata Gebrehiwot, a musician of Lemma‘s era, said Lemma was a great musician. “He has had a tremendous musical achievement yet remained very modest and reserved.” Bahta remarked though Lemma was able to lead his family autonomously, he hasn’t much of financial fortunes. “Like many other musicians, he hasn’t made much use of his music and hasn’t got the recognition he deserved,” says Bahta.





Lemma Demissew - 01 - Adrashash Tefabegn (2:52)
Lemma Demissew - 02 - Almaz enqu mesay (3:48)
Lemma Demissew - 03 - Astawesalehu (4:05)
Lemma Demissew - 04 - Konjo Lij Ayiche (4:05)
Lemma Demissew - 05 - Kulun Man Kualeshe (6:37)
Lemma Demissew - 06 - Kurtun Negerygn (2:05)
Lemma Demissew - 07 - Lezelalem Nuri (2:30)





Thursday, November 16, 2017

Fereheiwot Hailemichael - Negeregn [2017] [ethiopia]
















Fereheiwot Hailemichael - Negeregn





Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 01 - Negeregn (3:48)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 02 - Hulum Dehna (4:20)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 03 - Zemaye (4:05)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 04 - Abebaye (3:29)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 05 - Tizeta (2:14)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 06 - Alawedaderehem (0:53)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 07 - Adelegne (5:53)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 08 - Geremegne (4:52)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 09 - Amen (4:04)
Fereheiwot Hailemichael - 10 - Awawale (3:28)





Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Saba - Jidka [The Line] [2007] [ethiopia]




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               Saba Anglana, singer and songwriter, was born in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, to an Ethiopian mother (born in Somalia) and Italian father. After doing much of her growing up in Italy, Saba studied to become a mosaicist, completing a degree in Art History at the University of Rome La Sapienza. She worked in the communication and publishing industry and, as actress, for TV and theatre.






Saba - Jidka 





       Due to the family's mixed-marriage status (Saba's father was Italian, and her mother a Somalia-born Ethiopian), the Anglana were forced to flee to the father's homeland when Saba was five years old. Anglana was thereafter raised in Italy, eventually rising to national prominence as a television actress, but her Somali roots remained an important focus. She studied the native language with her mother, particularly the regional dialect of Xamar Weyne, and connected to her native country through music.







       The word 'Jidka', which is the title track, means line – the line that runs on her belly and divides it into two parts – a darker side and a lighter one. This for her represents the union of diversities and the harmony that her parents found when they fell in love. Her story focuses on her identity as multilayered and with many different influences. She sings in her mother tongue – a type of Somali that is spoken in Reer Xamar, a quarter of Mogadishu, and has real expression and rhythm in itself. The result is an album which is a real mix of contemporary and traditional.








       On 'Jidka' (The Line), her musical debut, she explores the divide between Somalia and Italy with a rare sensitivity and gentle humour; mixing acoustic guitars and koras with traditional African beats and contemporary percussion. The result reflects both one woman's search for her identity and what it means to be





01. Saba - I Sogni (3:00)
02. Saba - Hoio (3:49)
03. Saba - Hanfarkaan (3:06)
04. Saba - Jidka (3:15)
05. Saba - La Temps Passe (3:58)
06. Saba - Manta (4:30)
07. Saba - Yenne Yenne (3:32)
08. Saba - Furah (4:34)
09. Saba - Je Suis Petite (3:10)
10. Saba - Boqoroda Meskin (3:15)
11. Saba - Melissa (4:07)
12. Saba - Huwaiahuwa (1:41)



Monday, October 23, 2017

Melaku Tegene - Ambassel Tewesta Instrumental, Vol. 4 [2017] [ethiopia]












Melaku Tegegne - Mela Tistegn




Melaku Tegene - 01 - Yenate Weleta (6:11)
Melaku Tegene - 02 - Eyekesekesegn (6:40)
Melaku Tegene - 03 - Addis Fikir (5:11)
Melaku Tegene - 04 - Ezam Ezam (5:38)
Melaku Tegene - 05 - Men Bedelkut (5:28)
Melaku Tegene - 06 - Mech Begenzeb (5:28)
Melaku Tegene - 07 - Fikrun Belebe (5:42)
Melaku Tegene - 08 - Amrobetal (7:06)
Melaku Tegene - 09 - Kentu Sega (6:35)
Melaku Tegene - 10 - Sekeken New (4:29)
Melaku Tegene - 11 - Aywetagnem Kefu Neger (7:11)




Sunday, October 15, 2017

Woubeshet Feseha / Wubshet Fisseha - unknown album [1984] [ethiopia]





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       Great ethiopian groove !!! 

     1976 is the release date in the Ethiopian calendar; that makes it 1984 in the Gregorian calendar.




Shewankochew, Shibabaw, Egziabher - Love songs from Ethiopia [1997]





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   Christian Ethiopians living in the central north: the Tigre, Amhara, Gojjam, Begemdir and Simen, and the Shewa; the rest of the country, the plateau to the south, is occupied by the Galla tribes. The western frontiers of the country are populated by the Shanqella, the east is dominated by Moslem peoples (the Danakil, Issa and Somali), and the south by various populations regrouped under the term Gurage.

   The musical traditions of Ethiopia reflect this diversity: Christian religious music, sung and danced by priests accompanied by drums and sistrums; the Jewish religious music of the Beta Israel ; the secular music of the Amhara and Tigre Christians; the religious and secular music of the Galla Moslems; and the innumerable vocal and instrumental forms of the southern populations. These traditions are not isolated, and they have tended to mutually influence each other.


   Parallel to the classical poetry which sung at court or in the halls of the lords, a more colorful tradition developed, namely that of the azmari minstrels. This poetry in a more simple style is sung in Amharic or in Tigre.

The verses, often improvised or suggested by others, in which may be found abundance of metaphors and double meaning, but also irony and sarcasm, are most often accompanied on the masinqo bowed lute.

   The voice, used in service to the texts, is displayed over a relatively wide range. Ornamentation and vibrato, voice timbre which becomes brassy in dramatic moments, the use of pentatonic scales: all these techniques clearly illustrate the relationship of this music to the Nilotic world. In addition, a strong and very ancient influence of Arabic culture is detectable, especially obvious in the occurrence of non-tempered intervals.




                        Fantahun Shewankochew - vocals and krar lyra
                        Ejigayehu "Gigi" Shibabaw - vocals
                        Wores G. Egziabher - masinqo bowed lute & vocals






                                             
  front cover




                                              
back cover


















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Friday, July 21, 2017

Eyob Mekonnen - Erotalehu [2009EC] [2017] [ethiopia]














Eyob Mekonnen - Erotalehu




Eyob Mekonnen - 01 - Semahuachew (6:09)
Eyob Mekonnen - 02 - Tekekel Nesh Anchi (5:01)
Eyob Mekonnen - 03 - Tetereche (4:58)
Eyob Mekonnen - 04 - Yegabezkuachew (4:45)
Eyob Mekonnen - 05 - Wehajira Welale (3:42)
Eyob Mekonnen - 06 - Wede Enate Bet (5:28)
Eyob Mekonnen - 07 - Man Yawekal (5:54)
Eyob Mekonnen - 08 - Tew Yalshignen (5:29)
Eyob Mekonnen - 09 - Andebete Tenager (5:22)
Eyob Mekonnen - 10 - Say (3:44)
Eyob Mekonnen - 11 - Yelef (6:03)
Eyob Mekonnen - 12 - Zim Elalehu (3:50)
Eyob Mekonnen - 13 - Endet Beye (6:15)
Eyob Mekonnen - 14 - Erotalehu (5:36)









Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Teddy Afro - Ethiopia [2017] [ethiopia]















Teddy Afro - Ethiopia [ ኢትዮጵያ ]






Teddy Afro - 01. Ethiopia ( ኢትዮዺያ)  6:37
Teddy Afro - 02. Sembere (ሰምበሬ)   4:42
Teddy Afro - 03. Fiker Eske Mekabir ( ፍቅር እስከ መቃብር)   7:25
Teddy Afro - 04. Anna Neyattu (አና ነያቱ)  5:12
Teddy Afro - 05. Mematsene (መማፀኔ)  5:00
Teddy Afro - 06. Tamolishal (ታሞልሻል)  5:33
Teddy Afro - 07. Yamral (ያምራል)  5:50
Teddy Afro - 08. Emma Zend Yider (እማ ዘንድ ይደር)  5:37
Teddy Afro - 09. Atse Tewodros (አፄ ቴዎድሮስ)   7:58
Teddy Afro10. Marakiye (ማራኪዬ)   5:07
Teddy Afro11. Amen (አሜን)   6:05
Teddy Afro12. Adey (አደይ)   5:28
Teddy Afro13. Nat Baro (ናት ባሮ)   4:20
Teddy Afro 14. Olan Yezo (ኦላን ይዞ)   5:18