Dereb Desalegn - Dereb The Ambassador [2010]

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                       Dereb The Ambassador (Dereb Desalegn)

       Dereb Desalegn is well known in his homeland of Ethiopia, but he now lives in Australia. This new album features songs from famous Ethiopian singers, traditional songs, and Dereb's own compositions. 

  

              Dereb Desalegn, also known as Dereb The Ambassador, is based in Sydney and originally derives from Ethiopa. Sydney producer Tony Buchen has put together this project for the whole world to enjoy, including Australia. Dereb is a renowned and well-respected artist in Ethiopa. So far, Aussies have responded enthusiastically to Dereb’s music and his fans keep multiplying.

                  Dereb’s self-titled album has come to knock on the door of your heart with its soulful timbre. His music is best described as raw, Ethiopian vintage soul and funk with a pinch of jazz and Motown vibes.

                   Although the language within the music is foreign, that does not hinder the listener to get the most from this rare musical experience. The album contains a good blend of party-like anthems and tranquility. Dereb takes the listener into his world for about forty-eight minutes of your life - if only it was longer.

         The music is complete with a 9-piece band with pre-1970s instruments and equipment, which produces uncommon and raw sounds. One can hear the richness of sound coming from the musical instruments used in this LP, some of which are the 5 piece horns, trumpets, percussion, drums and amazing guitar riffs with the electric guitar on tracks like “Gedawo (Traditional)” and “Setaleygn (Tilahun Gesese)”. The real rhythm of soul music is evident in the instrumental song “Yelage Tizeta (Mulatu Astaqe)” with the harmonious trumpet, the organ and drum beats.

      Most of the tracks on the LP are quite upbeat soul and funk rich in the use of instruments, however there is a beautiful acoustic track called “Hiwot (Tilahun Gesese)” which is quite a soothing track to listen to. The vocals, piano, clapping and African sekere are the sole and dominant sounds used in the track “Kulun (Traditional)”, which makes it such a smooth track to listen to.

      A really great adventure of an album!

01. Dereb Desalegn - Addis Ababa Bete (Alamayetu Eshete) (5:46)

02. Dereb Desalegn - Etu Gela (Tesfaye Lemissa) (4:03)

03. Dereb Desalegn - Ney Denun Tiseshe (Seyfu Hayle) (3:08)

04. Dereb Desalegn - Gonde (Dereb Desalegn) (3:15)

05. Dereb Desalegn - Kulun (Traditional) (4:32)

06. Dereb Desalegn - Setaleygn (Tilahun Gesese) (3:45)

07. Dereb Desalegn - Gedawo (Traditional) (4:17)

08. Dereb Desalegn - Yelage Tizeta (Mulatu Astaqe) (3:27)

09. Dereb Desalegn - Mela Mela (Traditional) (3:20)

10. Dereb Desalegn - Aynei (Dereb Desalegn) (5:28)

11. Dereb Desalegn - Hiwot (Tilahun Gesese) (4:21)