Betsat Seyoum & Abbebe Fekade - Urban Azmaris of Ethiopia [1996]

       Born in 1965 in Addis-Abeba, Betsat Seyoum Abrha began in 1985 in a couple of the many bars in the capital before opening her own cabaret in 1990, which has now become one of the most popular in Addis. She aspires to the glory of the modern pioneers of Ethiopian music who play with synthesizers, saxophones, and rhythm boxes, while remaining faithful to the essence of the azmari art. 

       In opposition to Betsat who has not inherited her gift from any family member, Abbebe Fekade comes from a long line of azmaris from the Gondar region, one that has always been the source of a large portion of the country's musicians. He acknowledges his longing for "modernity", but he also knows how to express all the admiration that he holds for the venerable and venerated azmaris like Yirga Dubale and Bahru Qenie.

       In Ethiopian musical tradition, an azmari is a wandering entertainer, a minstrel, or a travelling troubadour who crisscrosses through the Christian regions of the country with his voice and instrument. He is the priviledged vector of popular music and is as fundamental in Ethiopian society as are the griot in Mandingo countries or the lautar in Moldo-Valachia.

01.  - Enegenagnalen (3:37)

02.  - Ambassel (5:28)

03.  - Bati (9:57)

04.  - Abeba Abeba (5:12)

05.  - Anteye (3:12)

06.  - Tizita (7:39)

07.  - Aysh Ayshenna (5:15)

08.  - Bati: [Live] (13:07)

09.  - Anteye / EndeneshGedawo / Yelewen  Abay [Live] (8:39)

10.  - Enegenagnalen [Live] (3:40)   

Dawit Mellesse - Lottery [1995]

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01. Dawit Mellesse - Atenkugne (5:06)
02. Dawit Mellesse - Lottery (Fikir Belottery) (5:16)
03. Dawit Mellesse - Mannew
04. Dawit Mellesse - Kanchi Lela
05. Dawit Mellesse - Anchiw Dereshiligne (5:44)
06. Dawit Mellesse - Lijenetish Alfwal
07. Dawit Mellesse - Yemishit Kokeb (5:19)
08. Dawit Mellesse - Yene Shega (5:52)
09. Dawit Mellesse - Afemekibet
10. Dawit Mellesse - Sally (Engl. Version) (4:30)

Tilaye Gebre - Endless Dream [Fitsame Yatta Hilm] [1995]

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       Tilaye Gebre took music lesson in a music school affiliated to the Ethiopian National Theatre. He was later employed by the National Theatre where he served as a singer, Song writer, music arranger and Saxophone player in the Dewitt Band, the band for modern music in the National Theatre. He also worked in The Venus Band, The Equator Band and The Dahlak Band as a music arranger and saxophone player. He went to America with The Walias Band and he settled there. He was among the musicians who accompanied such great names like Ephrem Tamiru, Aster Aweke, Tilahun Gessesse and others. Tilaye is also known to have played instrumental music using tenor sax and alto sax as well as flute. 

       Tilaye Gebre also stakes his claim to the jazz idiom. His Endless Dream (Shakisso Music Productions 001, 1995) wouldn't be out of place on one of those "Smooth Jazz" radio stations, with it seamless blend of synthesizer and saxophone, but I love it nonetheless - Gebre's just too talented a musician.


Here is his only album, so far :

                             Tilaye Gebre - Endless Dream [1995]

1. Tilaye Gebre - Yehem Ale Leka/Gizze Biansegnim (6:56)
2. Tilaye Gebre - Yenigat Kokeb/Yelelit Berehane (9:30)
3. Tilaye Gebre - Muzika Hiwote (6:04)
4. Tilaye Gebre - Fitsame Yatta Hilm (7:08)
5. Tilaye Gebre - Estti Enechewawot (6:38)
6. Tilaye Gebre - Ethiopia Hagere (5:53)
7. Tilaye Gebre - Enkilfen Wosedkew (6:00)
8. Tilaye Gebre - Ayne Hulgizze (5:49)
9. Tilaye Gebre - Gubeleya (6:39)

Mahmoud Ahmed with The Ibex Band - [1976] - Ere Mela Mela

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Probably the best Ethiopian album ever !!! 

Here is the extended version . Enjoy !!!!

01. Mahmoud Ahmed - Erè Mèla Mèla (4:39)

02. Mahmoud Ahmed - Metche new (3:22)

03. Mahmoud Ahmed - Bemen sebeb letlash (4:32)

04. Mahmoud Ahmed - Abbay mado (3:18)

05. Mahmoud Ahmed - Embwa belew (3:35)

06. Mahmoud Ahmed - Atawurulegn lela (3:59)

07. Mahmoud Ahmed - Ohoho gedama (4:45)

08. Mahmoud Ahmed - Sedetegnash negn (2:02)

09. Mahmoud Ahmed - Samerayi (3:28)

10. Mahmoud Ahmed - Edenesh gedawo (3:45)

11. Mahmoud Ahmed - Fetsum denq ledj nesh (4:41)

12. Mahmoud Ahmed - Ebakesh taraqign (4:37)

13. Mahmoud Ahmed - Asheweyna (4:32)

14. Mahmoud Ahmed - Belomi Benna (3:55)

15. Mahmoud Ahmed - Tezeta (5:45)

Melkamu Tebeje - [1987] - Gekocht Kasala [ethiopia]

Melkamu Tebeje are one of Ethiopia’s history-making singers who have been able to contribute, in his own unique ways, to the Ethiopian cultural and artistic renaissance.

He was born in Sidamo region in Ethiopia in 1946. Melkamu has written and produced over 200 songs over the course of 30 years. He is famous for a song called "Awassa, Langano" 

Here is his live recording, unfortunately without tags.