v.a. - The Ethiopian Millennium Collection [CD 5 - Instrumental] [2007] [ethiopia]

     The golden age of Ethiopian popular music (as heard on the fabled ETHIOPIQUES series) is famous in part for the sparsity of material that it yielded: The state-owned recording industry was largely a ramshackle government vanity, and while music of the music it captured was strikingly haunting, only a few dozen tracks were recorded in the 1960s and '70s... 

Express Band - Ethiopian Instrumental Music

  Since then, the floodgates have opened as Ethiopia has more or less entered the modern world -- more artists are making and recording more music than was dreamed possible back in the politically repressive "good old days," and the fruits of this renaissance are heard on this 6-CD set. 

The tracks are from the late 1990s and early '00s -- the artists are generally younger, more modern musicians, although a few old-timers like Mahmoud Ahmed are still alive and kicking, and sound as cool as ever. Although this collection doesn't have the same eerie power as the '70s-era recordings, anyone who got into the ETHIOPIQUES discs will want to check this out as well, to see where the music has gone since then.

01 - The Roha Band - Ambasel (6:24)

02 - Girma Wolde Michael - Wetatwa (6:42)

03 - Theodros Mitiku - Teddy's Mood (6:28)

04 - Express Band - Ye-Har (4:59)

05 - Girma Wolde Michael - Shemonmwanayewa (7:33)

06 - Theodros Mitiku - Awash (6:40)

07 - Express Band - Innate Nesh (4:27)

08 - Girma Wolde Michael - Tizita (6:20)

09 - Theodros Mitiku - Kifu Ayinkash (7:31)

10 - Express Band - Yehiywote Hiywet (5:53)

Akalé Wubé - Sost [2014] [fra+ethiopia]

         Akalé Wubé’s third album, Sost (“three” in Amharique) is perfectly in line with their previous records, it is also a testament to a more mature and experienced band, who have proved able to win over different audiences in different circumstances with their infectious grooves. While touring in Ethiopia, the band realised that local musicians had stopped playing music from the Swinging Addis golden age. A puzzling but liberating discovery that convinced the band to completely stand behind their project, and release three albums to date.

       More than half of the tracks in “Sost” are original compositions, with the other half being songs discovered on old cassette tapes brought back from Ethiopia. Akalé Wubé have invited the radiant Genet Asefa on three tracks, an Ethiopian singer with whom they have often shared the stage. Cautious to give precedence to authentic encounters, the band have chosen only to invite musicians with whom they have already played in a live context. Manu Dibango’s presence on the album is not an opportunistic move: there are strong human and musical ties between the afro-jazz pioneer and Akalé Wubé. Another sign of the band’s high quality expectations is that the album has been recorded in a studio set up by the band itself in the heart of Paris. This is a space that Akalé Wubé have made their own and which has permitted them to master completely the process of recording this album.

Akalé Wubé - Anbessa (feat Manu Dibango)

       Akalé Wubé's third album is aptly-titled Sost, which means 'three' in Amharic--the official language of Ethiopia. The music is highly groove-based and follows the early traditions of Ethiopian jazz, which is not too unlike the popular Ethiopiques series. About half of the music is based on traditional recordings and cassettes found in Ethiopia, while the other half of the songs are original compositions. The emotive vocalist, Genet Asefa, leads a few tracks with her seasoned voice in line with tradition Ethiopia music. The blurt of a trumpet, the beat of a drum, and a jazzy melody with Afro-jazz flavorings rounds out the gist of each song. However, each song brings something new to light--whether it be a hook, a sound, or a rhythm. Akalé Wubé know how to tease the feet with danceable grooves and lush sounds. This is another acclaimed album. ~ review by Matthew Forss

Akale Wube - Alegntaye (ft. Genet Asefa)

Akalé Wubé - 01 - Anbessa  (feat. Manu Dibango) (3:41)
Akalé Wubé - 02 - Alègntayé  (feat. Genet Asefa) (4:19)
Akalé Wubé - 03 - Mèmona (5:59)
Akalé Wubé - 04 - Kidus à cent dix (5:17)
Akalé Wubé - 05 - Ashewa (4:36)
Akalé Wubé - 06 - Gab's Trap (4:00)
Akalé Wubé - 07 - Addis Abèba Bété (4:40)
Akalé Wubé - 08 - Fikratchin (3:26)
Akalé Wubé - 09 - Erikum (5:28)
Akalé Wubé - 10 - Spring No Come (feat. Genet Asefa)(4:26)
Akalé Wubé - 11 - Meri Tekikil (4:54)

Etienne de la Sayette - flutes, sax

Paul Bouclier - krar, trumpet, percussions

Loïc Réchard - guitar

Oliver Degabriele - bass

David Georgelet - drums

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)

Ethio Cali - various tracks [2014] [usa+eth]

       Ethio Cali is a Los Angeles-based Ethio-Jazz ensemble, led by trumpeter, arranger, and composer Todd Simon. The ensemble’s sublime sound is inspired by the golden age of Ethiopian music of the 1960’s and 70’s, filtered through a lens that is uniquely Los Angeles.  

           

           Acknowledging the diverse musical foundations of Ethio-Jazz, the ensemble also draws inspiration from the rhythmic and melodic textures of Sudan, Somalia, Ghana, and Colombia.  Ethio Cali’s published cassette Live at The Blue Whale.  [ find it : HERE ]

Todd Simon's Ethio-Cali Ensemble - Fowler Museum at UCLA 8/14/11

 Ethio Cali features:

Todd Simon – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Music Director
Kamasi Washington – Tenor Saxophone
Randal Fisher – Tenor Saxophone
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Keys
Alan Lightner – Steel Pan
Damon Aaron – Guitar
Pat Bailey – Bass
Steve Haney – Percussion
Te’Amir Yohannes Sweeney – Percussion
Dexter Story – Drums

Extended Family: 

Kamasi Washington - Tenor Sax 

Justo Almario - Tenor Sax/Clarinet 

Richi Panta - Percussion 

Geoff Mann - Percussion 

Elizabeth Lea - Trombone 

Mark Cross - Keys 

Thomas Lea - Viola 

Tylana Renga - Vioin 

Peter Jacobson - Cello 

Special Guests: 

Dereb the Ambassador 

Kelela Martin 

Perna (Antibalas/Ocote Soul Sounds) 

Jared Tankel (Budoes Band) 

Aaron Johnson (Antibalas/FELA!) 

Vardan Ovsepian 

Semere-Ab Etmet 

Yohannes Tutu 

Sweeney Rickey

EthioCali - 01 - Azmar (11:19)
EthioCali - 02 - Mulatu (13:14)
EthioCali - 03 - Sabye (My Saba) - Live @ Del Monte Speakeasy March 17,12 (7:10)
EthioCali - 04 - Sidama de Cali (5:11)
EthioCali - 05 - Tadias - Live @ Del Monte Speakeasy March 17, 2012 (7:10)
EthioCali - 06 - Tiny Pyramids (8:08)
EthioCali - 07 - Zafari Live at the Blue Whale (9:37)
EthioCali - 08 - Zafari (8:50)

Amsale Mitkie - Abereregn [2010] [ethiopia]

Amsale Mitkie - Babajalew

Amsale Mitkie - 01. Megenbelo (5:50)
Amsale Mitkie - 02. Yizemelishal (7:05)
Amsale Mitkie - 03. Baybay (5:24)
Amsale Mitkie - 04. Abereregn (6:36)
Amsale Mitkie - 05. Yakem Yaleh (5:47)
Amsale Mitkie - 06. Lalo Bel (5:34)
Amsale Mitkie - 07. Alchalkum Lazare (5:10)
Amsale Mitkie - 08. Engeda Negn (5:11)
Amsale Mitkie - 09. Meshmonmon (4:53)
Amsale Mitkie - 10. Golual (5:05)
Amsale Mitkie - 11. Ayer Mengedachen (6:16)
Amsale Mitkie - 12. Babajalew (5:44)