Chachi Tadesse - Hoya Hoye [1999] [ethiopia]

          Most Rastafarians consider Ethiopia to be their spiritual homeland and identify with that country to some extent-some even incorporate Amharic phrases into their songs, the classic example being the Abyssinians' repatriation classic "Satta Massa Gana." 

Chachi Tadesse - Enkuan Des Yalachu

        Chachi Tadesse does this tradition one step better-she actually is Ethiopian, and sings primarily in Amharic. 

       And while reggae is the foundation of her art, there's more to it than that; "Musica," with its swaggering beat and turntable work, shows a marked hip-hop influence, while her singing on the dancehall-flavored "Unity" seems to draw at least as much on North African vocal traditions as on the Memphis-by-way-of-Kingston sound that characterizes most reggae singing. Her muttered toasting on "Gorraw" is quietly compelling. She gets help from guests both famous (Stephen Marley, Sizzla) and obscure (Lisa Danger, Billy Mystic), but her shimmering voice is always at the core of each song's sound. This is a remarkable album.

Chachi Tadesse - 01 - Musica (ft. Stephen Marley) (4:45)

Chachi Tadesse - 02 - Hoya Hoye (with Garnett Silk's children) (4:13)

Chachi Tadesse - 03 - Rambosa (ft. Sizzla) (4:15)

Chachi Tadesse - 04 - Fiker Band Menged (One Way Street) (5:09)

Chachi Tadesse - 05 - Hibret (Unity) (ft. Gaddiel & Daweh Congo) (4:17)

Chachi Tadesse - 06 - Ye Africa Negest (African Queen) (ft. Prezident Brown) (4:20)

Chachi Tadesse - 07 - Gorraw (ft. Doniki & Lisa Danger) (4:18)

Chachi Tadesse - 08 - Atresa (Warning) (ft. Billy Mystic, Iqulah Rastafari, Doniki & Steady Ranks) (4:57)

Chachi Tadesse - 09 - Natty Dread (ft. Sister Carol) (3:55)

Chachi Tadesse - 10 - Mesgana (Give Thanks) (ft. Kulcha Knox) (5:43)