Blogtrotters

Showing posts with label hip-hop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hip-hop. Show all posts

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Dub Colossus - A town called Addis [2006] [ethiopia]



   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   







       This project brings together an extraordinary but little known African musical heritage, a labour of love recording in a makeshift studio in down-town Addis Ababa and then a journey back to Real World to capture for the first time ever in the UK some of Ethiopia's finest performers.








       This project is the vision of Dub Colossus - Dubulah - aka Nick Page. Composer, guitarist, bass player and programmer Nick started his music career with Michael Riley (Steel Pulse) and in 1990 formed Transglobal Underground with Tim and Hammi, produced-wrote-played six albums before leaving in 1997 to form Temple of Sound with Neil Sparkes.








       Ethiopian music is the hidden gem of Africa. At the end of the Sixties and the early Seventies, Ethiopia was in the dying years of the imperial decline of Haile Selassie and the early years of a brutally repressive junta led by Mengistu. Within the confines of this stifling and constrictive environment there flowered some astonishing music. At times showing Fela Kuti's influences, in the big band sax flavour and other times a different take on regional music, this is a music that is accessible to all and has been championed by the likes of Robert Plant, Brian Eno and Elvis Costello. The style of contemporary Ethiopia music captured by Dub Colossus ranges from dreamy blues, hypnotic grooves, jazz piano and driving funk brass.





       "A Town Called Addis" was inspired by meeting , writing and working with singers and musicians in Addis Ababa in August 2006, and is a collaboration between Dub Colossus (Nick Page) and these amazing musicians covering Azmari and traditional styles as well as the popular singing styles of the 60s and 70s. It seeks to combine the golden years of ethiopique beats (popular again thanks to the release of the critically acclaimed 'Ethiopique' compliation ) and ethiojazz with the dub reggae styles of early 70s reggae groups like the Abyssinians, Mighty Diamonds and so on. along with a hint of Sun Ra..." (Dub Colossus/aka Nick Page)



       The first sessions took place in a breeze block hut under corrugated iron roof bombarded by the sounds of the rainy season high up on the mountain plateau where Addis is built. "...the sound of children playing, dogs barking and women washing all permeate the sessions and help the flavour of the record, albeit as ambient smoke.....Although a howling cat chasing a rat under the roof destroyed one vocal take completely...!"



       We brought these unique urban field recordings home to Real World to complete the picture. In March 2008 we invited a group of outstanding performers from Addis to travel to the UK. Some of these artists are unknown talents who have never traveled outside of their country before now, while others such as singer Sintayehu 'Mimi' Zenebe (Addis Ababa night club owner and know as the Ethiopian Edith Piaf ) and master saxophonist Feleke Hailu (a classical composer, lecturer and head of music at the Yared Music School and part of a dynastic tradition that stretches back far beyond the classic hits his father arranged for Mahmoud Ahmad in the late 1960s) have a huge reputation. They are joined by Teremag Weretow who, with his plaintive voice, playing his messenqo ( one-string fiddle) is a youthful carrier of an ancient tradition; extraordinary pianist Samuel Yirga is an exciting new discovery - a young prodigy of classical and Ethiojazz and finally the glamourous star Tsedenia Gebremarkos, winner of a Kora award as the best female singer in East Africa in 2004,








       From the most primitive recording context to one of the best in the world, this project is an audio journey - and discovery of one of the most alluring, funky and seductive genres of African music.




01. Dub Colossus - Azmari Dub (5:05)
02. Dub Colossus - Entoto Dub (5:55)
03. Dub Colossus - Tazeb Kush (5:52)
04. Dub Colossus - Shegye Shegitu (Blue Nile Mix) (3:54)
05. Dub Colossus - Shegye Shegitu (One Drop mix) (4:49)
06. Dub Colossus - Yeka Sub City Rockers (5:04)
07. Dub Colossus - Shem City Steppers (5:28)
08. Dub Colossus - Tizita Dub (7:38)
09. Dub Colossus - Black Rose (4:06)
10. Dub Colossus - Neh Yelginete (5:40)
11. Dub Colossus - Ophir Dub (4:40)
12. Dub Colossus - Sima Edy (4:40)
13. Dub Colossus - Mercato Music (5:47)
14. Dub Colossus - Ambassel (4:40)
15. Dub Colossus - Ambassel In Box (5:47)



Sunday, November 22, 2015

Adib Kadir - Harari Love [2006] [ethiopia]













Adib Kadir - Oreetay





Adib Kadir - 01 - Intro (0:55)
Adib Kadir - 02 - Zamal (4:25)
Adib Kadir - 03 - Gizmaanay (3:21)
Adib Kadir - 04 - Ethiopia (3:52)
Adib Kadir - 05 - Kamen Darar (4:55)
Adib Kadir - 06 - Ayanana (3:30)
Adib Kadir - 07 - Mawordi (3:13)
Adib Kadir - 08 - Interlude (0:45)
Adib Kadir - 09 - Oreetay (5:02)
Adib Kadir - 10 - Akhash Zeltah (4:05)
Adib Kadir - 11 - Nayling (3:34)
Adib Kadir - 12 - Ifatcheshakh (4:57)
Adib Kadir - 13 - Subti Orti (4:35)
Adib Kadir - 14 - Huffbalu (4:43)
Adib Kadir - 15 - Ethiopia (remix) (4:15)
Adib Kadir - 16 - Outro (0:51)




Thursday, November 5, 2015

Teddy Yo - Demts Albaw Mesarya [2012] [ethiopia]









       Teddy Yo, a young, vibrant rapper, has been making the local magazine headlines for sometime now. The rapper’s innovation in blending the Gurage melody and beat with a contemporary hip-hop beat has been appreciated by many. His trademark music, Guragetone (including a track by that name), was a hit in 2012

          Teddy Yo (full name Tewodros Assefa) resides with Eden, his wife of two years. He sometimes wears inconspicuous clothes when he goes out that blend into society and a baseball cap down low over his eyes. He does this just so that he can get from Point A to Point B without having a dozen conversations along the way with fans and random people who recognise him. He is the epitome of an arada or an in-the-know Addis Abeban.




Teddy Yo - 6 Kilo




         People love him, and he gets the encouragement to do what he does from them, he said, but he had a bone to pick with views held by some regarding Amharic rap.

“Some people say rap is not good for our culture or that it is not part of our tradition,” Teddy Yo began.

      He begged to differ. There is more in common with Ethiopian tradition than some people think, he said.

For example, after kings of old, like Emperor Tewodros, gathered their troops for battle, they would basically freestyle rap to get the troops ready for war in what is known as kererto and shillella, he explained.

        His voice intensified as he described the connections of rap with the doo-rag (bandana) that Emperor Menelik wore under his hat, tilted like rapper R-Kelly does today, to the cornrow hairstyle of Emperor Tewodros and the combs stuck in the afros of the Afar and Kereyu. Even Negus T’ona of the Welayita wore an earring like most rappers, he said, as his own glistened in the evening light.

“I am not saying that American rappers took everything from Ethiopia, but there is a connection and many shared traditions,” he said.

         Most Amharic rappers only rap about partying and having fun, but Teddy Yo raps about life. To him, life is not only about the good times, but also the bad. He raps about the parties and he raps about the problems. He does this in a way that is often humorous, even to older generations that normally do not like or listen to rap.



Teddy Yo - 01 - Tew Tew (4:25)
Teddy Yo - 02 - Tega Bey (4:09)
Teddy Yo - 03 - Maringecha (4:15)
Teddy Yo - 04 - 904 (3:12)
Teddy Yo - 05 - Demts Albaw Mesarya (4:23)
Teddy Yo - 06 - Gurage Tone (4:26)
Teddy Yo - 07 - Ney Bey Bey (4:07)
Teddy Yo - 08 - Sugar Daddy (4:02)
Teddy Yo - 09 - Shake your Dread (3:52)
Teddy Yo - 10 - Sedest Kilo (5:29)
Teddy Yo - 11 - Party (4:15)
Teddy Yo - 12 - Enkoyalen (3:28)





Sunday, November 1, 2015

De la Abesh - Addis [1995] [ethiopia]

  


                        R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   


Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop & Rap





01. De La Abesh - Cheb (4:40)
02. De La Abesh - Xirak's Tizita Jam (5:44)
03. De La Abesh - Saynega (4:41)
04. De La Abesh - De'laaw (6:37)
05. De La Abesh - Ye-ge'le (4:13)
06. De La Abesh - Ye'nema (6:19)
07. De La Abesh - Sebebe (5:29)
08. De La Abesh - Addis pt 1 & 2 (8:21)
09. De La Abesh - De La Abesh pt 1 (5:12)
10. De La Abesh - Sela (4:23)









Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Arada Boyz - ARADA BOYZ CLUB [2012] [usa+eth]










             Arada Boyz include three members : Nate a.k.a Ethio Boy, Ermias Molla a.k.a. Ermi Mulla and Yaphet Dejazmach a.k.a. YT)








               This group holds a divers and distinct sound, influences from reggaeton to hip-hop.





ARADA BOYZ - Shisha (Produced by Haich)



Arada Boyz - 01 - Intro (1:43)
Arada Boyz - 02 - Hoya Hoye (2:00)
Arada Boyz - 03 - Ambesa (3:37)
Arada Boyz - 04 - Wudejin ft Mahi Mo & C&&B (4:18)
Arada Boyz - 05 - Aytenal (4:19)
Arada Boyz - 06 - Azmari Lijoch (3:02)
Arada Boyz - 07 - Ahead of Them (3:41)
Arada Boyz - 08 - Shisha (4:22)
Arada Boyz - 09 - Anchen New (4:14)
Arada Boyz - 10 - Et. Eri. (4:25)
Arada Boyz - 11 - Outro ft Ras Nebyu (3:11)



Wednesday, July 1, 2015

BIG SHAWN - Ethiopian Album [2011] [usa+eth]










       
Big Shawn is musician from San Francisco, California, USA. He makes hip-hop/ rap/ instrumental music. Here is his extraordinary work from 2011 based on old ethiopian tunes and hits. 

I realy love this stuff!


Enjoy it!








BIG SHAWN - 01 (3:21)
BIG SHAWN - 02 (3:26)
BIG SHAWN - 03 (3:36)
BIG SHAWN - 04 (4:03)
BIG SHAWN - 05 (3:51)
BIG SHAWN - 06 (3:11)
BIG SHAWN - 07 (4:15)
BIG SHAWN - 08 (3:41)
BIG SHAWN - 09 (3:38)
BIG SHAWN - 10 (3:48)
BIG SHAWN - 11 (3:50)
BIG SHAWN - 12 (3:33)
BIG SHAWN - 13 (3:42)



Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Nazarenes - Rock Firm [2008] [ethiopia]



   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D  






       The Nazarenes sound is a fresh and vibrant blend of Roots-Reggae with an array of melodies and savvy arrangements that are complimented by haunting vocals. The music is both spiritual and inspirational and carries a much-needed message of love, hope, pride and respect for one another.






       Their debut album "Orit" was released in 2001 by Insteel Sounds and the much anticipated second album "SONGS OF LIFE"  was released in Europe (autumn  2004) by Heartbeat/Rounder Europe. The album is also released in USA & Canada (summer 2005) by Heartbeat label.  

     Their music is a unique and powerful addition to the ever expanding Diaspora of reggae music as well as a stunning tribute to the talent and dedication of this duo.  

       Since the release of, Orit, Nazarenes has built up a solid reputation throughout Europe and have consequently developed large and devoted followings of fans.  The duo is especially well known in Europe and their unique talent has also gained them recognition in England, Canada, U.S.A. and the world wide reggae scene.  After the release of their first album, Nazarenes have been touring and performing at many of the larger festivals in Europe, such as, Summer Jam (Germany), Roskilde festival (Denmark), Oslo world music festival (Norway), Rototom Sunsplash (Italy) and Uppsala reggae festival (Sweden), to name few. Their powerful stage presence and extraordinary musical arrangements has won them the title of being one of "The most excellent, hypnotic and unforgettable" live act of every festival and concert in which they perform.






        Growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the mid 70´s among a large close-knit family, the two brother’s love of reggae distinguished them from their peers. Reggae was considered underground, not mainstream, and was not featured on the radio or played in the cafés and clubs that dotted the city.  Despite the scarcity and the lack of due promotion, the hypnotic rhythms and conscious message of the music engulfed the heart and soul of the entire Tewolde family. It was around this time that 12-year-old Medhane received his first guitar and began to scratch. The course of the Nazarenes was set.
       Over the years many precious experiences have been gained. In the 80´s, Medhane and Noah played with various bands in Europe (mainly Sweden and Germany) with Medhane on guitars and lead vocals and Noah on bass and back vocal.
       In the 90´s, Medhane teamed up with some well known Jamaican Reggae bands including Iqulah, Culture Knox and Mamma Booker (Bob Marley´s Mother!) for a European and African tour. 





       At this time, Noah took up lead singing and in 1992 he was discovered in Gothenburg, Sweden.  A solo record deal with Virgin Records followed along with the release of three singles, one of which became a big hit in Sweden. In 1994 Noah´s debut album was released through Virgin Records under the name Anbessa.
       In 1996, Medhane and Noah reunited their forces and engaged on a new venture, which encompassed their own style and vibe as well as their spiritual and conscious views of life. 
      The culmination of this partnership is the phenomenal Nazarenes, musical pioneers that are going forward to blaze a trail for a music that they have made their own. 







01 - Solid As A Rock 
02 - Same Shit 
03 - Don't Let Me Down 
04 - Roots 
05 - Let's Chill Down 
06 - Walking In The Rain 
07 - Crash Dem Wid Love 
08 - I Wanna Shout Loud 
09 - Your Time Is Up 
10 - Marvellous 
11 - Our World 
12 - We Stand Firm 
13 - Jungle


Monday, March 16, 2015

Mister Ott - Live at Bohemian Grove [2012] [aus+eth]




       Mister Ott is the alter ego of Matt Ottignon, Sydney based Kiwi saxophonist. In particular, Matt has a keen interest and involvement with the very unique sounds of Ethiopian music. It’s that unique mixture of traditional music with jazz and soul from the 50's and 60's that is the inspiration for Mister Ott - music that washes away the dust of everyday life and gives the soul room to breathe.







MISTER OTT - Gonder [composed by Matthew Ottignon]
     Live at Venue 505, 15th June 2013




Recorded live on Sep 2nd, 2012, at Sydney's underground Sunday music series at Bohemian Grove. 

This was the band's first performance, and features all covers of Ethiopian music. The band name became Mister Ott some time after the artwork was created for this recording.

released 09 February 2012 


01 - Mister Ott - Akale Wube (Getatchew Mekuria) (5:32)
02 - Mister Ott - Yekermo Set (Mulatu Astatke) (7:27)
03 - Mister Ott - Ye Woyen Haregitu (Alemayehu Eshete) (6:13)
04 - Mister Ott - Chik Chikka (Mulatu Astatke) (7:22)
05 - Mister Ott - Kulun Mankwalesh (Mulatu Astatke) (3:53)
06 - Mister Ott - Yekatit (Mulatu Astatke) (8:40)
07 - Mister Ott - Eywat Sentenafegagn (Getatchew Mekuria) (5:12)
08 - Mister Ott - Muziqawi Silt (Wallias Band) (5:42)




Matt Ottignon - tenor sax, flute 
Ellen Kirkwood - trumpet 
Mick Stuart - guitar 
Luke Dubber - keys 
Eden Ottignon - bass 
Dan Kenedy - drums 

Engineer - Mick Stuart (on his portable recording rig) 



Friday, January 9, 2015

Mystraw - Ethiobeats / part 1 DEMO [2014] [ethiopia+france]



originally posted here > __________







Discover the man: his name is William Bayakimissa.


       Driven by his relatives, he finally launches in a daring project. William presents the first part of Ethiobeats: substantive work, drawing on Ethiopian jazz samples (Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astake and other masters of the genre!). 

         Marvelous product from shoestring: iPod Touch first generation's hearts (It takes you to invest my guys if you read this). Although the project is still only a demo, it has strong arguments to make. The first track, fresh and rhythmic, introduced the album perfectly. It is composed by a dozen beats full of groove. By exploiting this rich resource of Ethiopian music, and successfully William offers us a varied program very attractive. The tracks keep coming one after the other and are not alike. In short, everything that we love.

        Ethiobeats is available at free prices. Do not hesitate to encourage, financially or verbally, the boy to buy some equipment. I think the iPod has been amortized by now.













01. Ethiobeat 01 - 02:05
02. Ethiobeat 02 - 01:57
03. Ethiobeat 03 - 02:58
04. Ethiobeat 04 - 01:47
05. Ethiobeat 05 - 02:01
06. Ethiobeat 06 - 02:33
07. Ethiobeat 07 - 02:02
08. Ethiobeat 08 - 02:13
09. Ethiobeat 09 - 03:01
10. Ethiobeat 10 - 02:28
11. Ethiobeat 11 - 02:12
12. Ethiobeat 12 - 02:40
13. Ethiobeat 13 - 02:55
14. Ethiobeat 14 - 03:08



Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Samson Kidane Band - [eritrea + germany]






Samson Kidane and Friends



       Samson Kidane, singer and songwriter from Eritrea, live in Cologne, Germany and  writes his songs on the krar, the national musical Instrument of Eritrea. This plucked instrument is similar to the ancient lyre European and West African kora harp. 

This rare instrument is played today only in the zones adjacent to the Nile countries of Africa, and the Arabian peninsula. 

With his music Samson Kidane miraculously combine his African roots with modern music styles such as hip-hop, reggae and rock. But still you can hear his songs with East African and Arabic influences. 







           Samson Kidane is as cosmopolitan who is looking for the unifying between cultures. He sings in Tigrinya, the outsider a melodious, musical language. The lyrics of his songs are influenced by his early life in a war-torn Eritrea, and deal critically with the situation of his homeland. 

       They also tell of depth and passion, love and religion. His band plays in a classic line: with guitar, bass, drums and percussion support the four musicians discreet and reserved the own music style.


01 - Samson Kidane Band - Celdi (3:24)
02 - Samson Kidane Band - Fithi (3:22)
03 - Samson Kidane Band - Mesiluni ich dachte (2:56)
04 - Samson Kidane Band - Natuju sein (3:56)



Samson Kidane - krar, singing 
Wolfgang Reinermann - guitar 
Peter Dickas - drums 
Miguel Diaz - bass



Friday, November 14, 2014

The Black Jesus Experience - Yeluinta [2010] [aus+ethiopia]





The Black Jesus Experience and Mulatu Astatke



       2010 release, a superb Funk/Hip-Hop album from the Australian band Black Jesus ExperienceYelluinta fuses an irresistible blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove. The rhymes and chimes of the band deliver the musical strength and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Jazz.






01 - The Black Jesus Experience - Arada (3:49)
02 - The Black Jesus Experience - Guraginya (4:18)
03 - The Black Jesus Experience - Don't Cry For The Fallen (4:41)
04 - The Black Jesus Experience - Yeluinta (5:05)
05 - The Black Jesus Experience - Lonnie's Lament-Dawitt Abatachew (5:15)
06 - The Black Jesus Experience - Let's Call Her (2:46)
07 - The Black Jesus Experience - Bohemia (5:38)




        Black Jesus Experience (BJX) is an 8 piece band playing an irresistibly danceable blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove. As diverse as the 5 continents the members of 'BJX' hail from, their music reflects the multicultural vibrancy of the band's hometown, Melbourne, Australia. 

       When not touring BJX run a weekly session at cultural hub The Horn where BJX create new songs live on stage. The comfort BJX has with this practice lies in the improvising traditions of that feed BJX including Hip Hop, Jazz, Azmari and Rutu Pa'u. 

        The music is also fed quite literally before each performance by the ritual of a group meal prepared by singer Enushu and MD Peter Harper in the Ethiopian tradition, "those who eat from the same plate will not betray each other". This inspires and reinforces bonds musical, social and spiritual, bonds BJX invite their audiences to join. 

      Enushu began entertaining her local community as a child in Addis Ababa. Forced to leave Ethiopia, Enushu migrated to Australia bringing hauntingly beautiful compositions inspired by her remarkable life story and the unique vocal traditions of Ethiopia. Enushu is joined on vocals by poetic giant and lyrical miracle The Monk, Zimbabwe born and Outback bred. 

     Highlights for BJX include two tours of "the Motherland" Ethiopia, performing with Ethiojazz legend Mulatu Astatke in Europe and Australia (an association which won BJX and Mulatu "The Age Best Tour" award) Glastonbury and other great festivals. 

    The rhymes and chimes of Black Jesus Experience deliver the power and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Funk.



members  :

Enushu Taye
Peter Harper
Ian Dixon
Liam Monkhouse
Chris Frangou
Matt Head
Zac Lister