Haile Roots - [2012] - Chiggae [ethiopia]

Haile Roots - Melkam Yamarech

       Ethiopian singer Haile Roots released his first album of Amharic-language reggae called Chiggae (indicating a mix of the Ethiopian 6/8 time rhythm called “chikchika” and reggae). 

         Chiggae is the debut Amharic language album from Hailemichael Getnet, better known by his stage name as Haile Roots. The 33-year-old singer came up with a display of real roots, showcasing compelling, melodic riffs and interesting lyrics. The 13-track album, arranged and composed by Elias Melka, takes you on a journey of love, righteousness, empowerment, and is filled with rhythms that blend perfectly with his incredible voice.

       Haile first came to attention years ago when he was featured in Teddy Afro’s ‘Bob Marely’ and he later released a single track tilted ‘Yes I’ that he played live at Juvents Club and Millennium Hall. That single track is included in the newest album under a different title, Ethiopia. 

     Recorded in Addis Ababa’s Begena Studio, the new album is engaging and entertaining collection on issues of solidarity, unity, exile, loss of youth and transcending bitterness. Jamaican and Ethiopian stars ranging from Luciano to Mikey General and Eyob Mekonnen have been featured in the album. Continental drift has rarely sounded funkier.

     Album opener Woudnesh is an encouragement for women and affirmations of faith in the power of the human spirit. The singer appeals to young Ethiopian women to be strong in the face of sexual exploitation, and material obsession. Life’s challenges can be met, he says.

The title track Chiggae is a hybrid of the Ethiopian chikchika and Jamaica reggae, putting a distinctly local spin on the reggae form. The lyric goes :

Leave me alone sadness and sorrow

The sun will shine tomorrow

No more cry and sad life again

I will be stronger than my pain

  

       The relative manner provides the ample story telling for that particular thing that has happened to us all. This is particularly evident in the sixth track, Yetefa yigegnal, where the claps summon the urgency required to claw forth the truth for the prospective listener. Melkam Yamarech, showcases the singer’s romantic side.

         The twelfth track Harambee (which in Swahili means unity) also shows strength in arrangement. It has a very nice atmosphere and the instrumentation progresses enough underneath it to give you a sense of development.The message calls for creating the environment for African to move together as one people. “The more we realise what we can do together as a unit, the farther we will get as an African nation,” he says.

The lyrics go :

Weh need so much love inna Africa Land

Righteousness di way fi all human kind

No more tribal war no more confusion

One love my people one revelation

      Overall, Chiggae is one of the better contemporary reggae albums to be heard in a while, with its evocative songwriting and neat production. His homilies about peace, hope, love, unity are sincere, delivered with power, accurate time and pitch.

Haile Roots - Wedenesh (4:21)

Haile Roots - Bado Neber (3:28)

Haile Roots - Chiggae (3:03)

Haile Roots - Nisueh Quanquayie (4:10)

Haile Roots - Byemehalu (3:59)

Haile Roots - Yetefa Yigegnal (2:58)

Haile Roots - Melkam Yamarech (3:59)

Haile Roots - Ethiopia (4:45)

Haile Roots - Chew Lerasesh (3:51)

Haile Roots - Leman Biyie (4:05)

Haile Roots - Harambie (3:53)