v.a. - Ernesto Chahoud presents TAITU - Soul-fuelled Stompers from 1960s-1970s Ethiopia [2018] [ethiopia]

       Ernesto Chahoud’s Taitu is a collection of soul-fuelled stompers straight from the dancefloors of 1970s Addis Ababa. A breathless journey through the unique Ethio sound that bands were forging at the time, the 24-track compilation is the result of the Lebanese DJ and crate digger’s decade long love affair with the ‘golden age’ of Ethiopian music.

Tilahun Gessesse - Aykedashim Libe

        Among the musical gems featured are 7″s by some of the heavyweights of the scene including Mulatu Astatke and Alemayehu Eshete, the vocalist dubbed the ‘Ethiopian Elvis’, alongside tracks by more obscure artists such as Merawi Yohannis and Birkineh Wurga.

           For Taitu, Chahoud has selected 24 of his essential Ethio-Soul 7″s, that never leave his DJ box, and together they capture this opportune moment in Ethiopian music history that saw bands experiment with an armful of influences: gliding through R&B, rock & roll, jazz, funk, soul and boogaloo. What came out was a distinctly Ethiopian interpretation: pentatonic scales, horn-driven melodies and soul-shattering vocals sung in Amharic.

           The songs are difficult to box in to one genre but they share a simplicity and rawness, added to by their lo-fi quality – with many recordings made in rudimentary studios with only a couple of mics for the entire band.

         From the R&B stomper ‘Honey Baby’ by Alemayehu Eshete to Astatke’s swaggering ethnic-jazz instrumental ‘Emnete’ and the bluesy melancholic vocals of Hirut Bekele on ‘Ewnetegna Feker’, ‘Taitu’ is a window in on the exciting records being made in Ethiopia in the 1970s.

Menelik Wossenatchew - 01 - Fikratchin (3:05)

Mulatu Astatke - 02 - Emnete (3:28)

Tèshomè Meteku - 03 - Hasabe (4:00)

Birkineh Wurga - 04 - Alkedashim (3:16)

Selomon Shibeshi - 05 - Endiet Zenegashiw (4:06)

Alemayehu Eshete - 06 - Chiro Adarie Negne (4:27)

Hirut Bekele - 07 - Ewnetegna Feker (3:15)

Bezunesh Bekele - 08 - Felagote (2:56)

Alemayehu Eshete - 09 - Mekeyershene Salawke (1:48)

Tilahun Gessesse - 10 - Aykedashim Libe (4:57)

Merawi Yohannis - 11 - Teleyeshign (2:27)

Alemayehu Eshete, Hirut Bekele, Hirut Bekele & Alemayehu Eshete - 12 - Temelese (3:19)

Alemayehu Eshete - 13 - Honey Baby (2:37)

Seifu Yohannes - 14 - Ebo Lala (3:34)

Bezunesh Bekele - 15 - Aha Gedawo (3:52)

Alemayehu Borobor - 16 - Yeshebelewa (3:35)

Seifu Yohannes - 17 - Mela Mela (4:09)

Tilahun Gessesse - 18 - Sigibgib Joroye (3:28)

Alemayehu Eshete - 19 - Gizew Honeshyna (2:39)

Bahta G. Hiwot - 20 - Tessassategn Eko (4:02)

Gétatchèw Kassa - 21 - Fikrishin Eshaleyu (3:22)

Hirut Bekele - 22 - Almokerkum Nebere (3:21)

Muluken Melesse - 23 - Alagegnhwatem (4:07)

Ménélik Wossenachew - 24 - Tezeta (4:28)

Tamrat Molla - 25 - Ene Yewodedquat (4:14)

The Music of Ethiopia - [1967] - Azmari Music of the Amharas (Anthology AST 6000, recorded by Ashenafi Kebede (LP)) [ethiopia]

Another extraordinary blog dedicated to world music sound I just found is :

MusicRepublic - World Traditional Music from LPs and Cassettes

Album and text are originally posted >>> HERE

This anthology showcases the music of the Azmari bards, or minstrels, from the Amhara Region in Northeastern Ethiopia. Most Amharas, aka as Abyssinians, are Christians, members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church founded in the 4th century. 

Melaku Gelaw - Misgana (Praise)

The gorgeous program featured here includes Melaku Gelaw playing solo washint wooden flute (A1, A4) and solo krar lyre (A2); and singing and playing krar (B1); Wolde Marriam singing and playing krar (A3); the powerful and inspired interplay between Asegedech Mekonnen’s spellbinding singing and Getamesay Abebe’s masinko, or masenqo, single-stringed bowed lute (A5, A6, B2, B3); and Getamesay Abebe singing and playing masinko (B4).

Melaku Gelaw (medium sized washint) - A1 - Misgana (Praise) (1:25)

Melaku Gelaw (krar) - A2 - YefiKir KeTaima (2:58)

Wolde Marriam (vocal and krar) - A3 - Satina Baburay (Heat-Driven Train of Mine) (3:07)

Melaku Gelaw (long washint) - A4 - Fanno (1:48)

M. Asegedech (vocal) / A. Getamesay (masinko) - A5 - Shilela (4:59)

M. Asegedech (vocal) / A. Getamesay (masinko) - A6 - Ambasel (4:57)

Melaku Gelaw (vocal and krar) - B1 - Shemonmuanaye (My Charming One) (2:51)

Asegedech Mekonnen (vocal) / A. Getamesay (masinko) - B2 - Tizita (5:04)

Asegedech Mekonnen (vocal) / A. Getamesay (masinko) - B3 - Bafi (5:14)

A. Getamesay (vocal and masinko) - B4 - Medina Zelesegna (5:44)

                             FULL BOOKLET INCLUDED   

Smizz Mayle - Manew Esu [2018] [ethiopia]

Smizz Mayle - Manew Esu

Smizz Mayle - 01 - Manew Sew (4:01)

Smizz Mayle - 02 - Shelemechigne (4:30)

Smizz Mayle - 03 - Ahun (4:31)

Smizz Mayle - 04 - Semaw Weree (3:07)

Smizz Mayle - 05 - Wesdeshiwal (3:28)

Smizz Mayle - 06 - Konjiye (3:45)

Smizz Mayle - 07 - Hugni Wuste (3:37)

Smizz Mayle - 08 - Banchi Yamral (5:01)

Smizz Mayle - 09 - Atawikewim (4:29)

Smizz Mayle - 10 - Wastina (4:15)

Smizz Mayle - 11 - Bichayen Silefa (4:15)

Smizz Mayle - 12 - Endih New Mamar (4:38)

Smizz Mayle - 13 - Merchaye (4:33)

Smizz Mayle - 14 - Sitawkibet (4:42)

Smizz Mayle - 15 - Anchin Bicha (3:39)

Smizz Mayle - 16 - Semaw Weree (4:03)

Tadesse Alemu - missing/unknown album [ethiopia]

Tadesse Alemu (Amharic: ታደሠ ዓለሙ) was an Ethiopian singer from Wollega who sang traditional Ethiopian songs, sometimes Christian-based, in an upbeat pop-music style with the modern-day electronic instrumentation that is characteristic of today's Ethiopian popular music. His sound, comprised primarily of traditional songs, made liberal use of electronic instrumentation.

Tadesse Alemu - Arada

Active since 1997, nothing was known about his origins. However, an interview with Alemu's wife on Voice of Ethiopia radio during fall 2007 confirmed that he had become sick and died that July in Addis Ababa of a short disease, which resulted from an infection that was caused by a stabbing wound from several years previously that had not healed properly, just before he was set to leave the country on a concert tour.

Tadesse Alemu - Partial discography:

Ethiopian Wedding Songs (1997)

Erikum (1998 or 1999)

Mahider Zema (2000)

Mishamisho (2001)

Wedding Songs (2003)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 01 - የአውዳመት ቀን (5:20)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 02 - ነይ ደማ (5:58)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 03 - እሪኩም (6:34)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 04 - ተይማነሽ (6:04)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 05 - አካል ገላ (5:55)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 06 - መላ ነው (6:19)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 07 - አያማሩ ገላ (8:46)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 08 - ወይ አራዳ (7:11)

Tadesse Alemu ታደሰ ዓለሙ - 09 - አማሌሌ (7:11)

   Amharic to latin transliteration needed   

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - Arada, Vol. 2 [2018] [ethiopia]

Teddy Yo & Gentleman ft King Kong & Yemaryam - Africa

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 01 - Arada (feat. Abraham Shalaye) (0:56)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 02 - Wa (feat. Get Anley) (3:42)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 03 - Africa (feat. King Kong & Yemaryam) (3:18)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 04 - Amalay (3:45)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 05 - Alew Belegn (feat. Lij Eyasu) (3:44)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 06 - Lo'o Lo'o (3:18)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 07 - Werea (feat. Ziggy Zagga) (3:08)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 08 - Chisu (feat. Lij Eyasu) (3:07)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 09 - Esregna (3:13)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 10 - Ketsehay Betach (feat. Jo Lax & Bitanya) (4:01)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 11 - Endezi Endeza (3:06)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 12 - Habesha Hip Hop (feat. Lij Eyasu, Alex & J Matik) (4:27)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 13 - Yene Nesh (4:18)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 14 - Banchiw (4:17)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 15 - Andegna (feat. Jo Lax, Godana & Yemaryam) (3:41)

Teddy Yo & Gentle Man - 16 - Medhanit (feat. Abraham Shalaye) (2:14)

Yeshimebet Dubale and Fasil Demoz - 2 Famous Singers [ethiopia]

Two outstanding singers with their favorite songs.  

The music of Gondar, Wollo, Gojjam, North Shewa.

The Amharic Music of the Amhara Region

Fasil Demoz and Yeshimebet Dubale - Enchewawet

Yeshimebet Dubale and Fasil Demoz - 01 - Yeshiye (አዎ ሰላም) (6:19)

Yeshimebet Dubale የሺመቤት ዱባለ - 02 - Zemezemew (የሺመቤት ዱባለ) (6:04)

Fasil Demoz ፋሲል ደሞዝ - 03 - Lomi Nat (ፋሲል ደሞዝ) (5:38)

Yeshimebet Dubale and Fasil Demoz - 04 - Enchewawet (ኤንቹዋውት) (6:33)

Fasil Demoz ፋሲል ደሞዝ - 05 - Afi (አህ) (6:11)

Yeshimebet Dubale የሺመቤት ዱባለ - 06 - Fikri Mecheresha (ፍቅር መጨረሻ) (5:03)

Fasil Demoz ፋሲል ደሞዝ - 07 - Tebelahu (ተበላሁ) (5:55)

Yeshimebet Dubale የሺመቤት ዱባለ - 08 - Selam Selam (ሰላም ሰላም) (6:07)

Fasil Demoz ፋሲል ደሞዝ - 09 - Anchi sew (አንቺ ሰው) (6:06)

Yeshimebet Dubale የሺመቤት ዱባለ - 10 - Izezibachewi (እዘዝባቸው) (6:59)

Jano Band - Lerasih New [2018] [ethiopia]

Jano Band transcend the Rock genre by infusing traditional Ethiopian melodies and percussions, adding instruments of masinko, krar, and the washint, and bringing you to your feet with unforgettable languages of love and celebration.

Jano Band became the first Ethiopian band to feature on Coke Studio Africa when they collaborated with South African singer Shekhinah in Nairobi, Kenya, last year.

The band – which consists of two female vocalists, two male lead vocalists and six musicians on bass, guitars, keyboards and drums – was brought together by Addis Gessesse in 2011.

Since the release of "Ertale" in 2012 (also posted HERE), the group has collaborated and worked with American producer Bill Laswell who helped the group sparkle on the international arena.

Jano Band - Darigne

In September 2017, news broke that the band was on the verge of a breakup. The band disputed the reports through its current manager Sammy Tefera who went on to announce that the band would be launching its second album in early 2018.

Music In Africa caught up with one of the band’s lead vocalists, Dibekulu Tafesse, to talk about their 16-track album, Lerasih New, which was released on 1 February 2018.

MUSIC IN AFRICA: What was the inspiration behind Lerasih New?  

DIBEKULU TAFESSE: We named the album Lerasih New because it is a commonly used word which translates to 'For Yourself'. Our songs carry different themes that our fans relate to and in this album we choose to urge our fans to be conscious of their actions. As human beings we ocassionally do things without thinking about the consequences. So in this album we are pushing for self-awareness because no one should intentionally hurt themselves or ruin their lives simply because they made the wrong choice.

MUSIC IN AFRICA: Was the album produced in Ethiopia?

DIBEKULU TAFESSE: The assembling of the music, which is normally the first stage of recording, was done in Ethiopia but the engineering process was done in Italy at the Blumusica studio in Turin, and the final mastering was done at Lurssen Mastering Studio in Los Angeles, Califonia.

Working with good recording studios and producers has set us apart from other Ethiopian artists since the music that we produce is of high quality. On this project we worked with producer Kistet.

(brief interview is taken from site Music in Africa and it's posted HERE)

Jano Band - 01 - Leba (4:26)

Jano Band - 02 - Hadekiya (3:53)

Jano Band - 03 - Shegiye (4:09)

Jano Band - 04 - Engida (5:15)

Jano Band - 05 - Zew Zew (3:51)

Jano Band - 06 - Wey Zendro (3:24)

Jano Band - 07 - Gudie Fela (3:49)

Jano Band - 08 - Keteraraw Mado (6:22)

Jano Band - 09 - Hamza (3:48)

Jano Band - 10 - Tiz Alegn (5:03)

Jano Band - 11 - Hager Alegn (4:59)

Jano Band - 12 - Lib Sireta (5:21)

Jano Band - 13 - Kal (4:23)

Jano Band - 14 - Adagn (5:15)

Jano Band - 15 - Kenat Wediya (4:54)

Jano Band - 16 - Darign (4:28)

Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret [1976] [ethiopia]

originally posted here on Lola Vandaag blog

   for Sergej and others who asks about this release - enjoy!   

Asselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - Metche New

Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 01 - Ene Yalant Feker (3:00)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 02 - Meche Neow (3:25)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 03 - Kenawtte (2:40)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 04 - Anlak Abet Abet (4:31)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 05 - Amerewal Shegenuo (3:18)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 06 - Lametew (3:31)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 07 - Wegenne (5:58)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 08 - Yenafaktiwou Tersseh (3:42)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 09 - Ayinouma (4:47)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 10 - Jegenaw Belaye (5:51)

Abu Obaida Hassan & His Tambou - The Shaigiya Sound of Sudan [2018] [sudan]

Abu Obaida Hassan and the wonders of his five-string tambour remained largely a mystery. In the early 2000s, a prominent Sudanese newspaper declared him dead. Internet forums confirmed his passing. Many in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, said he had indeed died. But rumors that he was still alive persisted.

What was always certain is Abu Obaida Hassan’s mercurial talent. His command of a modified tambour, backed by a chorus and two drummers, unleashed swirling melodies alongside complex Nubian rhythms and hypnotic Sudanese call and response. His bands roster constantly changed, but he remained at the helm, playing for sold out shows in cities across the country and capturing the dancefloors and youth of 1970s and ‘80s Sudan.

Abu Obaida Hassan - Qamar Al Massa (Moon of the Night)

This is a rich, raw example of the human experience with sound from northern Sudan, an ancient part of the world, and the birthplace of civilization. Music like this isn’t mastered overnight.

The Ostinato team first came across Abu Obaida’s recordings in 2011, finding scratchy bits and pieces along the years. We traveled to Sudan in 2016 to find the clues to piece together the Abu Obaida Hassan puzzle. Through some extensive detective work with our man in Khartoum, Ahmed Asyouti, and a generous dose of good fortune, we tracked Abu Obaida to the rural outskirts of Omdurman, the old capital just across the White Nile from Khartoum. Age has taken its toll, but he remains full of life and music, ready to jointly curate a selection of his eight best cuts. He has written over 100 songs, only 30 were recorded.

Abu Obaida comes from the Shaigiya people, whose culture is spread around the ancient city of Merowe, home of traditional Nubian culture, where pyramids older than those in Egypt still stand. They trace their entire lineage to one man, Shaig, who migrated from the Arabian peninsula in the 15th century. An endlessly rhythmic syncretism between Arab and Nubian styles, Abu Obaida’s Shaigiya music was an in demand party affair in an era when a vibrant nightlife and roving sound systems were staples of life in Sudan.

It was music for a modern era, and Abu Obaida, at just 19, rebelliously abandoned traditional Shaigiya music traditions, pioneering a new sound by adding an extra string to his tambour and electrifying an instrument adored across East Africa. The result was complexity in simplicity and a hyper-talented artist who mirrors the story of Sudan’s highs and lows, from the leading tambour maestro of the hour to such obscurity on the fringes that he was believed dead. “They killed me!”, he likes to joke.

Abu Obaida Hassan, his music and the musical traditions of the Shaigiya remain alive and kicking. A culmination of a 7-year journey — from first hearing Abu Obaida’s distinct sound, found only in Sudan, to finding the man — has produced the first global release of Shaigiya music and is the first chapter of Ostinato’s immersion into Sudan, with a full compilation of the lavish musical history of one the most diverse countries in Africa due later this year. All brought to you by the Grammy-nominated team behind last year’s “Sweet As Broken Dates”.

Abu Obaida Hassan - 01 - Daweena (6:33)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 02 - Qamar Al Massa (Moon of the Night) (8:15)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 03 - Nas Fi Nas (People on People) (5:20)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 04 - Fargooni (They Left Us) (3:25)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 05 - Shofo Alla (Find Me A Solution) (6:37)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 06 - Amshy Shoof (Go Find Your Own Love) (5:02)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 07 - La...La (Don’t Say I Am Betraying You) (7:15)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 08 - Dayer Anwer Lek (Light Your Path) (5:03)

v.a. - Nahom Favorite, Vol. 38 [2018] (Zema Aman) [ethiopia]

Haileyesus Girma - Godashiew

01 - Sami Beyene — Saq Saq (5:01)

02 - Sami Beyene — Endachinew Mewded (4:03)

03 - Anteneh Werash — Qeterosh (4:20)

04 - Anteneh Werash — Tewado Yileyayal (5:31)

05 - Tislat Gezimu — Yileyilign (4:57)

06 - Tislat Gezimu — Endet Endet (3:33)

07 - Haileyesus Girma — Wub Nesh (5:24)

08 - Haileyesus Girma — Qelel (4:29)

09 - Yared Belay — Ayen Wuha (4:33)

10 - Yared Belay — Andlay Nen Wey (4:43)

Demere Legesse - Demak Ye Serg Zefenoch [2004] [ethiopia]

Demere Legesse was born on February 19, 1969 from his father Legesse Tesema Bilhate and his mother Debre Beshah Ayele. He was born in Agarfa, Bale in a small town called Galema Hebeno. He attended grade 1 up to 6 in Galema Hebeno Sefera Mender School, 7 and 8 in Agarfa Melestegna Primery School, 9 and 10 Batu Terara Secondary School, 11 and 12 in Addis Abeba Nifas Silk and Maremiya Betoch School.

     In February 8, 1987 he traveled to Addis Ababa and employed as a police officer in Maremiya Betoch. After 6 month military technical course in Aleltu he was introduced as a vocalist in Maremiya Police Orchestra. After working for 14 years from 1987 to 2001 in Maremiya Police Orchestra he formed his own music band named DL Band. He handled numerous music concerts and matrimonial festival for bride and bridegroom in Ethiopia and for those who come from America, Canada, Europe, Australia and different countries.

Demere Legesse - Serg

Demere is one of the members of Yellow Page which is Ethiopian musicians community. He has a great roll in Ethiopian musical industry of wedding and culture. As a mater of fact he presented cultural and nuptial music such as Kana Zgelila (Special Church Song), Melkam Kelebet (Reggae Style Nuptial Music), Awddeamet 2001, Awddeamet 2003, Kotu Malo, Sendelewa, Burtukkee, and others.

Back in Maremiya Betoch Orchestra, Demere found his soul mate Etenesh Girma Bogale and married in March 18, 1990. One year later they have their first baby Nathnael in May 1991, the second baby Abel in October 1996 and the third Rodas in August 2008. And now Demere has 3 children and 3 houses plus personal band.

Demere Legesse - 01 - Musheraye / Des Yilal (6:43)

Demere Legesse - 02 - Kulun Manqwalesh (7:22)

Demere Legesse - 03 - Shinet / Tewubeshal Alu (5:43)

Demere Legesse - 04 - Enshoshela (5:46)

Demere Legesse - 05 - Yebete Zemedu (5:47)

Demere Legesse - 06 - Musheroch Des Yebelachuh (6:08)

Demere Legesse - 07 - Shelmuat Shelimut (6:48)

Demere Legesse - 08 - Debalkisen / Oromogna (6:22)

Demere Legesse - 09 - Musher Abeba (6:29)

Demere Legesse - 10 - Hi Loga (4:58)

Demere Legesse - 11 - Muna Minjaр (5:22)

Demere Legesse - 12 - Sendel Gela Welo (6:26)

Demere Legesse - 13 - Wubitu Gonder Gonder (5:02)