Setegn Atanaw - Gonder [1997]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       The masinko is a violin-like instrument widely used in Ethiopia where it is played by secular poet-musicians rather like the troubadours of medieval Europe. These professional musicians play at festivals, family celebrations such as weddings, and in bars. Some are beggars who play in the street for alms.

       The masinko is made out of wood with a sound box covered by an animal skin. The single string is made out of braided horse hair. Some ethnomusicologists think the masinko is related to a similar Muslim instrument called the rebabah. Both instruments are stringed and are played with a bow

     Over the years, Setegn Atanaw has become known as one of the best Masinko players in Ethiopia. 

      Although Gonder is Setegn's first solo album, he has performed on many other artists' recordings while in Ethiopia, most notably the renowned Ethiopian arranger Mulatu Astatke. Setegn has also written compositions for many Ethiopian artists. While in Ethiopia, Setegn was selected to represent Ethiopia in an international cultural concert tour, bringing the music of his homeland to such countries as Korea, Japan, Italy, Russia, Canada and the United States.

       Setegn Atanaw started his professional career in 1995 with the Gish Abaye musical group in Bahir Dar, Gojam (a northern Ethiopian province). In 1990, he moved to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, and joined the National Theater Cultural Center.Over the years Setegn has become known as one of the best Masinko players in Ethiopia. 

       In 1993, Setegn Atanaw emigrated to the United States and joined the well-known traditional group the Nile Ethiopian Ensemble in Washington, D.C. With this exciting musical group, he has performed in places like the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Lincoln Center, Harvard University and many more!

Bahru Kegne - The Best Of [2000]

        Bahru Kegne (1929-2000) was a legendary azmari, who was even a private court-player under Haile Selassie, then the ‘free newspaper’ in the communist days and recording some amazing ‘modern’ cassettes in the last years of his life. 

He sings and played masinko, traditional ethiopian instrument.

Deep, hypnotic, trance-like music, and unlike things published before.

1. Bahru Kegne - Ashebel Gedaye (4:58)

2. Bahru Kegne - Derbabaye (7:10)

3. Bahru Kegne - Mela Mela (6:39)

4. Bahru Kegne - Yaz Ejwan (7:40)

5. Bahru Kegne - Bati (5:41)

6. Bahru Kegne - Yehuna (7:51)

7. Bahru Kegne - Kalu (8:01)

8. Bahru Kegne - Ambasel (5:59)

9. Bahru Kegne - Shelela (4:55)

Quantic - Traditional Ethiopian selection by Quantic [2011]

           Quantic is an umbrella name for UK-born, Will Holland : acclaimed producer, musician, and DJ for over 15 years, who’s projects incorporate various influences, from funk & jazz to electronic & folk music, to Latin, reggae, dub and cumbia.  

         He recently put together this mix of rare 45s he found in Ethiopia, calling it ”a mix of folkloric and outer-regional music of Ethiopia, all 45s and some records that I think need to be heard. Less of breaks & wah wah and this time more of krar, claps, howling sounds and organ melodies. For fans of previous mixes Axum to Addis and Addis Sheckla Explosion.”  

        Listen to and download the whole mix by clicking on the link below, and let’s he hope he continues the crate digging!

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)