Roha Band - Tour 1990 [The Best of Roha Band]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       When the Ibex Band disbanded in 1979, three of its members – Selam Seyoum, Giovanni Rico and Fekadu Amdemeskel – joined with Dawit Yifru, keyboard player for the also recently disbanded Dahlak Band, to form the now-legendary Roha Band. 

      Specializing in modern Ethiopian music with a traditional blend, the band’s first contract was with the Addis Ababa Hilton, where they performed together six days a week, perfecting their signature sound. The Roha Band traveled extensively, in Ethiopia and abroad, and performed on Ethiopian television. They made over 250 recordings with a multitude of celebrated Ethiopian singers, including Aster Aweke, Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, Muluken Mellesse, Theodros Tadesse, Hamelmal Abate and Neway Debebe. Although the band broke up in 1994, with the members pursuing individual interests, no other Ethiopian group has matched the number or quality of their recordings.

         The Ibex band-of Ere Mela Mela fame-was renamed Roha band and along with Ethio Stars and Wallias Band,they became the leading bands of the time.

      Roha has produced over the years 250 recordings with all the stellar Ethiopian singers: Aster Aweke,Tilahun Gesesse, Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete.

      Recorded during their first North American tour,this album introduced singers Neway Debebe,Hamelmal Abate,and Berhane Haile to the States and the large Ethiopian community there.

the Artists

Hamelmal Abate: vocals

Neway Debebe: vocals

Berhane Haile: vocals

Ashenafi Awel: drums

Giovanni Rico Bonsignori: bass

Yonas Degefie: saxophone

Selam Syoum: guitar

Yared Tefera: saxophone

Dawit Yifru: keyboards