v.a. - [1992] - Music from Ethiopia [Caprice]

       This recording gives rich samples of the sounds of tradition in urban musical life in Ethiopia today. The ancient ceremonial music played on the embilta flutes or the vocal art of Alemayehu Fanta or Gebre Hiwot Lemma represent older traditions. The group Sne Bahel offers samples of singing and music which accompanies lively traditional dances from the Oromo and Wollaita ethnic groups. Modern pop music is represented in six tracks by the Abyssinia Band. 

       A really nifty release, Caprice has combined two forms of urban music usually rigidly separated: professionally performed "traditional" music for krar, flute, voice, and Ethio-soul by electric groups that play the real local thing rather than the crossover material we're usually offered. The result is splendid: very varied and splendidly performed music and truth-in-classification.

01. Lemma Gebre Hiwot - Medina / Zelesegna (4:50)

02. Abyssinia band - Yedejih abeba negn [Hanna Shenkute] (6:44)

03. Yohannes Afework - Ambassel (4:29)

04. Abyssinia band - Mis men gidifkini [Girmai Biable] (4:18)

05. Asnakech Worku - Tizita (4:45)

06. Abyssinia band - Endenew yisemah [Hanna Shenkute] (5:30)

07. Areru Shegane, Teka Tema, Yohannes Afework - Tigrigna (3:16)

08. Yared Orchestra - Alegntaye (5:30)

09. Alemayehu Fanta - Salamta (3:00)

10. Abyssinia band - Yiberral libbe [Dawit Mellese] (4:23)

11. Sne Bahel - Haya wolalome (2:29)

12. Alemayehu Fanta - Anchihoyelene / Tizita (7:03)

13. Abyssinia band - Esketayew [Dawit Mellese] (4:35)

14. Sne Bahel - Dowa dowe (3:22)

15. Abyssinia band - Tizita [Hanna Shenkute] (7:11)