Shewandagne Hailu - Sik Alegn [2003] [ethiopia]

       Shewandagne Hailu was born in Addis Ababa. He attended his elementary school at ‘Meskaye Hezunan’ and his high school at St. Joseph. He also had joined Addis Ababa University and was a third year management student when he decided to drop out and pursue his music career.

        Shewandagne was nurturing his music talent at early age singing to his classmates and friends in school and at his neighborhood. During his high school stay at St. Joseph, he joined the school band as singer.

      The school administration used to encourage music as an extra curricula activity and support the members of the school band. Administration then also bought music instrument for the band and recruited a music instructor. Thought Shewandagn's stay in St. Joseph's music band didn't not exceed more then two years, the support he had got in the school had laid the strongestfoundation for the level where he reached today. At St. Joseph, Shewandagne was highly recognized for his english songs but he also used to sing amharic ones, esspecially those of Getachew Kassa.

     When Shewandagne joind university, he did not quit of playing music. He rather joind Ethio-Star Band where he used to sing twice a week. Getting the opportunity to perform on various stages Shewandagne grew his professional skills and proved himself as an accomplished musician. As his fame grew bigger, he moved to the then top bands "Sevance" and "Express"and performed on big stages.

Shewandagne Hailu - Sik Alegn (Full Album)

     During his stay in two bands, Shewandagne had got the chance to play along with renowned singers such as Tewodros Kassahun aka Teddy Afro, Tigist Belachew, Abdu Kiar, Shimeles Ararso, Tsedenya Gebre Markos and many others. Shewandagn and Teddy Afro was not only share stagesbut also grew close friendship through time. Along with the well respected guitarist Girum Mezmur they form "Afro Sound Band". The tree worked together for years and managed to gain more fame with the band. The remake of Girma Beyene's "Tsigereda"was Shewandagne's firs single. The clip of the song, which was recorded live on the Ethiopian Television Studio, was a hit. The popularity of the single brought him the opportunity to perform in Djibouti, Kenya, Italy and Dubai. The positive response of the audience for his first single was serving as gauge of the success of his first album "Sik Alegn". 

      Following to the success of his album, he toured in Egypt, South Africa, Bahrain, UAE, Israel, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, England and above 12 states of USA. Eight years after the release of hs album, Shewadagn still invited to perform in local and international stages.

    For three years, Shewandagne spend good times with "Zion band". With various bands, he performed on the popular local stages of Buffet De Lagare, Illusion, Hilton, Sheraton Gas Light and Harelm Jazz. His unique way of performnig able to attracted a number of fans. In 2004, Shewandagne together with Tsadenya Gebre Markos and Hadey Haile represented Ethiopia and competed Kora, South Africa based music award competition.

       Beside his profession, Shewandagne grew his interest of managing night clubs since the release of his first album. As they did on "Afro Sound Band", Shewandagne and Teddy Afro ventured on bussines of managing night clubs after the success of "Sik Alegn". They rented the then popular hangout place "Lion Club", and turned in to the number one music destination of the city.

    The six month short lived but most successful trial of the night club bussiness encouraged Shewandagne to fully engage on this area. Along with his three friends, he opened the well known "Fahrenheit"club, located adjacent to Bole Medhanialem, six years ago. Beyonfd his managerial position in the night club, every week he is performing twice. Shewandagne is a keen participant of concerts, social and fundraising events.

     For major part of his music career Shewandagne used to play English music and his original works also consists modern styles, he has also popular local touch.

    Shewandagne is often mentioned among the singers who are credited on their creation and influence on the modern styles of the Ethiopian music industry.

Shewandagne Hailu - 01 - Ayne (5:18)

Shewandagne Hailu - 02 - Eyat Eyat Yilegnal (5:53)

Shewandagne Hailu - 03 - Sik Alegn (4:46)

Shewandagne Hailu - 04 - Tirsish Leymsel (5:55)

Shewandagne Hailu - 05 - Tamralech (5:32)

Shewandagne Hailu - 06 - Min Yilishal (4:34)

Shewandagne Hailu - 07 - Yekerebign (4:44)

Shewandagne Hailu - 08 - Ayrega (4:50)

Shewandagne Hailu - 09 - Akukulu (4:38)

Shewandagne Hailu - 10 - Tsigereda (3:50)

Shewandagne Hailu - 11 - Kurat (5:26)

Kuku Sebsebe - Chalkubet [2013] [ethiopia]

Kuku Sebsebe - Chalkubet

Kuku Sebsebe - 01 - Chalkubet (4:57)

Kuku Sebsebe - 02 - Mistru (4:32)

Kuku Sebsebe - 03 - Esun enji (3:19)

Kuku Sebsebe - 04 - Agegnehu (4:18)

Kuku Sebsebe - 05 - Metlat Mine Ametaw (4:55)

Kuku Sebsebe - 06 - Mihiret (3:48)

Kuku Sebsebe - 07 - Mayet Mamen New (4:03)

Kuku Sebsebe - 08 - Yefiker Eda (4:16)

Kuku Sebsebe - 09 - Siyalke Ayamer (5:48)

Kuku Sebsebe - 10 - Kene Ayidlem (4:19)

Kuku Sebsebe - 11 - Semonune (3:57)

Kuku Sebsebe - 12 - Kelben (5:17)

Kuku Sebsebe - 13 - Lidet (4:24)

Kuku Sebsebe - 14 - Asham (4:26)

Kuku Sebsebe - 15 - Metahu Tetnkeke (4:40)

Streets & People of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [video]

Streets & People of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa through the eyes of a 20-something Australian hoodlum on a motorcycle, first visit to an African country. 


Neighbourhoods:

0:04 Piazza
0:41 Meskel Flower
1:03 Chechnya
1:11 Ghana Street
2:51 Merkato
3:48 Haya Hulet
4:24 Kazanchis
5:53 Kechene
6:29 Entoto
7:22 Shiro Meda
7:27 Bole Medenhaleum
8:13 Meskel Square
9:10 Churchill Avenue






Tracklist:


0:02 Mulatu Astatke - Nètsanèt

1:12 Teddy Afro - Abebayehosh
2:57 Lafontien - Addis Ababa
4:25 Ziggi - Blaze It (Last War Riddim)

6:29 Semere Kiros (feat. Hailu) - Reggea Kemise
8:26 Sayat Demessie - Hasabun Mesrek


Camera: GoPro HD Hero (version 1)
Date: September 2011




Tadele Roba - Mesgana [2014] [ethiopia]

Tadele Roba - Mesgana

Tadele Roba - 01 - DoReMeFa (Makusa) (4:46)
Tadele Roba - 02 - Mewdeden (4:32)
Tadele Roba - 03 - Beberhan Libe (4:58)
Tadele Roba - 04 - Semteshal (4:17)
Tadele Roba - 05 - Fiker Tefa (4:33)
Tadele Roba - 06 - Gena Lega Nat (6:03)
Tadele Roba - 07 - Arke Yehuma (5:01)
Tadele Roba - 08 - Saron Gela (4:19)
Tadele Roba - 09 - Tenefafekin (5:33)
Tadele Roba - 10 - Ayee (5:42)
Tadele Roba - 11 - Silanchie Aweralew (6:22)
Tadele Roba - 12 - Mama Africa (5:10)
Tadele Roba - 13 - Mesgana (4:48)
Tadele Roba - 14 - Eswan Tewat Lene (5:39)

Berhanu Tezera - Tebechisa [2013] [ethiopia]

Berhanu Tezera - Tebechisa

Berhanu Tezera - 01 - Bela (4:18)

Berhanu Tezera - 02 - Tebechisa (5:46)

Berhanu Tezera - 03 - Yewaeh (6:16)

Berhanu Tezera - 04 - Yet Ale (3:50)

Berhanu Tezera - 05 - Ekoralehu Enjie (4:11)

Berhanu Tezera - 06 - Tewedag (4:44)

Berhanu Tezera - 07 - Ingeda (5:14)

Berhanu Tezera - 08 - Tirunet (4:25)

Berhanu Tezera - 09 - Fuwa Bilesh (4:23)

Berhanu Tezera - 10 - Begena Legena (3:46)

Berhanu Tezera - 11 - Man Alegne (4:45)

Berhanu Tezera - 12 - Zariem Guedishalew (4:35)

Berhanu Tezera - 13 - Berasishe Kurie (4:30)

Berhanu Tezera - 14 - Shalom (4:47)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - Yefiker Girma [2016] - [2008E.C] [ethiopia]

       Tsedenia GebreMarkos is one of the leading musicians in the Ethiopian music scene. She gets her inspirations from traditional and contemporary Ethiopian music. In addition to having a lot of success with commercial hits such as “Ewedehalu”, “Atalay”, “Mengedegna” and “Yiker Beyalehu”, Tsedenia is also famous for having strong lyrics to raise awareness about issues she holds dear.

         She’s made a name for herself singing to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in her country. Tsedenia broke ground when she became the first Ethiopian artist to ever win the prestigious African Kora Awards back in 2004 for “Ewedehalu”. In addition this multitalented star was featured in the hit movie “Motherland”, has a standing radio-show and is rumored to be featured in an upcoming film from the producers of “500 years Later”. Even if her melodious and soulful sound is what she is famous for, Tsedenia broke the barriers again when she decided to be innovative and join forces with Ethiopian dub band Dub Colossus. 

       They released an EP, ‘A Town Called Addis’ in June 2008 through Real World Records and a full length LP album of the same name was released in August 2008 exclusively through the Bowers & Wilkins Music Club. Always looking for bigger challenges and constantly rebranding herself is what enabled this Ethiopian jewel to win this year’s AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) “Best female artist in Eastern Africa”.

Tsedenia Gebremarkos - Yefikir Girma [የፍቅር ግርማ]

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 01 - YeFikir Girima (የፍቅር ግርማ) (6:21)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 02 - Awikotal (አውቆታል) (4:26)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 03 - Yalefewin Fikir (ያለፈውን ፍቅር) (5:37)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 04 - Raya (ራያ) (4:47)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 05 - Abet Yachin Leta (አቤት ያቺን ለታ) (6:12)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 06 - Wey Fikir (ወይ ፍቅር) (4:41)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 07 - Kurat (ኩራት) (4:35)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 08 - Bementa Menged (በመንታ መንገድ) (5:23)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 09 - Fikir Bemehalek (ፍቅር በመሐለቅ) (5:26)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 10 - Hariyet (ሃርየት) (5:49)

Tsedenia GebreMarkos - 11 - Camp Fire (4:14)

Tadele Roba & Birhanu Tezera [Lafonten] - full cassette [1998] [ethiopia]

Tadele Roba & Birhanu Tezera ( Lafonten ) - Full Cassette Songs

Elias Assefa - Kelay [2015] [ethiopia]

Elias Assefa - Kelay

Elias Assefa - 01 - Séwunet (Being Human) (4:13)
Elias Assefa - 02 - Kélay (From Above) (5:50)
Elias Assefa - 03 - Yé Egzer Siel (God’s Painting) (6:56)
Elias Assefa - 04 - Zenaw (The News) (3:52)
Elias Assefa - 05 - Léka (It is Rather That) (5:14)
Elias Assefa - 06 - To ቶ (Symbol of Life) (4:00)
Elias Assefa - 07 - Gize (Time) (4:26)
Elias Assefa - 08 - Yenéfse Erkata (My Soul’s Satisfaction) (5:07)
Elias Assefa - 09 - Léwuletash (Tribute to You) (4:28)
Elias Assefa - 10 - Ebid New Sime (They Call me a Mad Man) (5:04)
Elias Assefa - 11 - Betsélot (With Prayer) (5:42)
Elias Assefa - 12 - Tibeb Ze Solomon (Solomon’s Wisdom) (5:32)
Elias Assefa - 13 - Sus (Addiction) (5:39)
Elias Assefa - 14 - Aman be (In Peace) (4:48)

Aster Aweke - Sikuar [2001] [ethiopia]

            When she arrived in her homeland in 1997 for the first time since she'd left in 1981, Ethiopian-born and Washington, D.C.-based songstress Aster Aweke was greeted by thousands of loyal followers awaiting her plane. During the month-long tour that followed, Aweke performed before more than 80,000 people and showed that she remains one of Ethiopia's best-loved performers. 

            Aweke has been equally successful throughout the world. Her second album, Kabu, spent four weeks in the top position on the CMJ New Music Charts, and was in the Top Ten of Billboard's World Music Charts for ten weeks in 1990. 

Aster Aweke - Sikuar (Sugar)

          A native of Gandor, a small town near Lake Tara, Aweke was raised in the capital city of Addis Ababa. The daughter of senior civil servant in the Imperial government, Aweke was determined to become a musician by the age of 13. By her late teens, she was singing in Addis Ababa clubs and hotels with such bands as the Continental Band, Hotel D'Afrique Band, Shebele Band, and the Ibex Band (before they became the internationally known Roha Band). Launching a solo career, Aweke was encouraged by musical entrepreneur Ali Tango, who financed and released five cassettes and two singles of her music. By 1981, Aweke had become disillusioned by Ethiopia's oppressive political climate and relocated to the United States. Temporarily settling in the Bay Area of California with plans to pursue an education; within two years, Aweke continued on to Washington, D.C., the site of the largest Ethiopian population in the U.S. After building a following with her performances in local Ethiopian restaurants, Aweke toured the U.S. and Europe in 1985. 

Aster Aweke - 01 - Gudde Fella (6:08)

Aster Aweke - 02 - Sew Hulu Be-hageru (6:33)

Aster Aweke - 03 - Ezoralehu (5:25)

Aster Aweke - 04 - Etiti (6:32)

Aster Aweke - 05 - Bichegna (5:29)

Aster Aweke - 06 - Sikuar (6:31)

Aster Aweke - 07 - Merkato (4:58)

Aster Aweke - 08 - Fikir Fikir (6:06)

Aster Aweke - 09 - Ela Alayim (6:46)

Aster Aweke - 10 - Ibi Tibi (5:39)

Aster Aweke - 11 - Sew Mehonne (7:20)

Aster Aweke - 12 - Wey Nedo (5:38)

v.a. - Digital Ethiopia pt.1 [likembe.blogspot.com compilation] [ethiopia]

original source :

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

          Back in the '80s Ethiopian music was extremely hard to come by outside of Ethiopia. Mahmoud Ahmed's brilliant Ere Mela Mela was released on LP by the Belgian label Crammed Discs around 1985, and later in the decade the exile singer Aster Aweke released Aster, recorded in the UK with mainly non-Ethiopian backup musicians. That was just about it, unless you were lucky enough to know Ethiopians who could supply you with scratchy, poorly dubbed cassettes from the motherland.

       All that changed in the '90s when political change opened the country up. A fine collection of traditional and modern music, Music From Ethiopia (Caprice CAP 21432) came out in 1992, and within a few years the incredible Ethiopiques series opened the world's ears to the classic sounds of "Swingin' Addis" from the '60s and early '70s

    

          When it became possible for Ethiopian musicians to travel freely it was only natural that they would gravitate to U.S. recording studios, and in the last 15 years there has arisen a robust market in CDs made here. For the most part these are "under the radar" - not available through the usual "World Music™" outlets like Sterns. The main issue I have with these American recordings is the overwhelming use of synthesizers. That said, many of these productions are surprisingly sophisticated, a far cry from the rinky-dink keyboards and drum machines of much contemporary African music.

1. Tlahoun Gessesse - Ewdish Neber (5:40)
2. Tlahoun Gessesse - Meleyayet Mot New (4:17)
3. Menelik Wossenachew - Gash Jembere (9:12)
4. Menelik Wossenachew - Yeayne Tesfa (6:35)
5. Mohammed Tawil - Si-Si (7:26)
6. Mulatu Astatke w. Teshome Mitiku - Wello (8:30)
7. Tilaye Gebre - Yenigat Kokeb/Yelelit Berehane (9:30)

v.a. - Digital Ethiopia pt.2 [likembe.blogspot.com compilation] [ethiopia]

original source :

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

                                                                 Chachi Tadesse

1. Tadesse Alemu - Shinet (5:56)

2. Tadesse Alemu - Hedach Allu (9:11)

3. Hamelmal Abate - Tirulegn (5:51)

4. Hana Shenkute - Addis Fekere (6:40)

5. Abonesh Adnew - Limitawey (7:03)

6. Kuku Sebsebe - Hallo Belat (4:55)

7. Chachi Tadesse - Africa (5:19)

8. Chachi Tadesse - Medina (5:27)

Meklit Hadero - On a day like this.. [2010] [usa-ethiopia]

   R E U P L O A D   

Meklit Hadero - Float and Fall

       Meklit Hadero, known simply as "Meklit", is a singer and songwriter based in San Francisco, California. She is known for her soulful performing style, and for combining jazz, folk, and East African influences in her music. Born in Ethiopia, she was raised in the U.S. and attended college at Yale, where she studied political science.

       Shortly after graduation, Meklit moved to San Francisco and became immersed in the city's thriving arts scene. "Meklit is an artistic giant in the early stages," wrote a reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle after witnessing an early performance in the city's Mission District. "She sings of fragility, hope and self-empowerment, and exudes all three. What's irresistible, above all, is her cradling, sensuous, gentle sound. She is stunning."

        Named a TED Global Fellow in 2009, Meklit has served as an artist-in-residence at New York University, the De Young Museum, and the Red Poppy Art House. Currently a fellow of the Wildflowers Institute, Meklit has also completed musical commissions for the San Francisco Foundation and for theatrical productions staged by Brava! For Women in the Arts. She is the founder of the Arba Minch Collective, a group of Ethiopian artists in diaspora devoted to nurturing ties to their homeland through collaborations with both traditional and contemporary artists there. 

     As a Senior TED Fellow since 2011 , she co-founded the Nile Project with Egyptian ethno-musicologist Mina Girgis and has since participated in 2 artist residencies (Aswan, 2013 and Uganda in 2014) uniting musicians from 11 countries all along the Nile Basin.

       Meklit has released five records to date. The first was a self-produced and released eight-song EP entitled Eight Songs (2008). The second , her first full-length LP, On a Day Like This... released to wide critical acclaim in 2010 , was recorded at San Francisco's Closer Studios and produced by Eric Moffat and Unsound Recording. Hailed by Filter magazine for "[combining] New York jazz with West Coast folk and African flourishes, all bound together by Hadero's beguiling voice.". It won Meklit feature stories by NPR, PBS, and National Geographic. The San Francisco Chronicle called her " an artistic giant in the making " . She then ventured into a creative collaboration called CopperWire , along with two hip emcees also from the Ethiopian diaspora , Gabriel Teodros and Burntface . Together they created the first hip hop space opera , "Earthbound" which hit #5 in CMJ's hiphop charts . A complete change came with the 2012 release of her extraordinary harmonic duets with Oakland blues and soul crooner Quinn DeVeaux, simply titled Meklit & Quinn. The duo covered terrain as diverse as Arcade Fire (their version of "Tunnels" left many speechless with its simple beauty) , Lou Reed , Neil Young and Stevie Wonder.

       Now she makes yet another quantum leap , in her latest solo album We Are Alive . Produced by sonic genius Eli Crews (best known for his work with tUnE-yArDs) , her inimitable composition talents and unique voice take infinite and inventive flight , from her jazz-standard sounding "A-Train" to the fiery build of "Waiting for Earthquakes" , weaving through a dark and tantalizing version of The Police classic "Bring On the Night" via her funky take on an Ethiopian tune, "Kemekem " (which she subtitles " I Like Your Afro!") , winding up with the grande finale, the declaration "We Are Alive". USA Today says, " Meklit delivers a sound all her own... (We Are Alive) gets even better with every listen ",

  

      The Village Voice comments : "She's a blithe-voiced daughter of Joni who considers music a path to higher ground, with rest stops for the likes of Talking Heads and Lou Reed."

01. Meklit Hadero - Walk Up (5:34)

02. Meklit Hadero - Float And Fall (3:29)

03. Meklit Hadero - Leaving Soon (4:12)

04. Meklit Hadero - You And The Rain (4:30)

05. Meklit Hadero - Feeling Good (4:29)

06. Meklit Hadero - Abbay Mado (5:05)

07. Meklit Hadero - Soleil Soleil (2:33)

08. Meklit Hadero - Call (3:59)

09. Meklit Hadero - Walls (3:40)

10. Meklit Hadero - Under (4:27)

Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Gigi [2001] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

        Ejigayehu Shibabaw, known by her stage name Gigi, is one of the most successful contemporary Ethiopian singers worldwide. She has brought the music of Ethiopia to wider recognition and developed it in combination with a wide variety of other genres often in collaboration with her husband Bill Laswell, a bassist and producer.

       Gigi was born and raised in Chagni in northwestern Ethiopia. She has described learning traditional songs from an Ethiopian Orthodox priest in the family home. She lived in Kenya for a few years before moving to San Francisco in about 1998.

       Gigi recorded two albums for the expatriate Ethiopian community, but it was her 2001 album, titled simply Gigi, that brought her widespread attention. She had been noticed by Palm Pictures owner Chris Blackwell, who had years earlier introduced reggae to the mainstream through his former label, Island Records. Blackwell and Gigi's producer (and later, husband) Bill Laswell, decided to use American jazz musicians (including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders, and others) to accompany Gigi on the album.

      The result was a fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds. The album was a critical success internationally and generated controversy in her home country for such a radical break with Ethiopian popular music. This release was soon followed by Illuminated Audio, an ambient dub style remix of the album by Laswell.

      2003 saw the release of Zion Roots, under the band name Abyssinia Infinite. Bill Laswell played guitar and keyboard (instead of his usual bass), and several of Gigi's family members contributed vocals. The album was a return to a mainly acoustic sound for Gigi, incorporating instruments such as the krar and the tabla. The track "Gole" is in Agaw, the language of Gigi's father's village.

    Gigi is married to her producer Bill Laswell, and they have a son, Aman, who has accompanied his parents with vocals. Her younger sister, singer Tigist Shibabaw, died under unknown circumstances in 2008.

Gigi - Gud Fella

Gigi - Vocals
Bill Laswell - Producer, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
Abonesh Adenew, Dawit Melesse, Hebest Tirunehe, Imani Uzuri, Mizanekristos Yohannes, Tigist Shibabaw - Backing Vocals
Thomas Gobena - Bass
Hamid Drake, Mikias Abebayehu - Drums, Percussion
Karsh Kale - Drums, Tabla, Keyboards
Mark Taylor - French Horn
David Gilmore, Nicky Skopelitis, Zakki Jewad - Guitar
Abegasu Shiota, Amina Claudine Myers, Dereje Mekonnen, Herbie Hancock - Keyboards
Abdou M'Boup, Aiyb Dieng, Melaku Gelaw, Setegne Satenaw - Percussion
Henry Threadgill, Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter - Saxophone
Art Baron - Trombone- Accordion






01. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Gud Fella (5:35)
02. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Mengeoegna (5:33)
03. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Tew Ante Sew (4:20)
04. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Abay (5:18)
05. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Bale Washintu (5:35)
06. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Guramayle (4:27)
07. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Sew Argen (5:16)
08. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Aynama (5:05)
09. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Kahn (3:47)
10. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Zomaye (4:00)
11. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Abet Wubet (4:07)
12. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Nafeken (5:23)
13. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Adwa (5:02)