Ethio Cali is a Los Angeles-based Ethiopian jazz ensemble led by trumpeter/arranger/composer Todd Simon and featuring a cast of the finest musicians from Southern California. The ensemble's sublime sound is inspired by the Golden Age of Ethiopian music of the 1960's and 70's, filtered through a lens that is uniquely Los Angeles and roots-inspired. Acknowledging the diverse musical foundations of Ethio-jazz, the ensemble also draws inspiration from the rhythmic and melodic textures of Sudan, Somalia, Ghana, and Columbia.
Wax and Gold (aka Semena Werq) is a form of traditional Ethiopian poetry that has one surface meaning, known as wax, and multiple hidden meanings, known as gold. Musicians in Ethiopia have used Wax and Gold to explore topics such as spirituality, politics, and matters of the heart throughout the ages. On November 17, 2013, the Ethio-Cali Ensemble performed a special set of music at the Blue Whale (the best place in Los Angeles to go see live Jazz) inspired by the concept of Wax and Gold. Ethio-Cali's 'Minister of Information', Sonny Abegaze, curated compositions from the catalogues of Hailu Mergia and Walias, Alemayehu Eshete, The Police Orchestra, and other Ethio-Jazz luminaries to be performed on this special night. The mix below features these songs in their original form. Enjoy…
Track-by-track info :
01. Emahoy Tsegue-Mariam Guebru - Mother's Love
Emahoy Tsegue-Mariam Guebru is a classical pianist and composer who was born in Addis Abeba in 1923. She was ordained as a nun at the age of 21 and now lives in an Orthodox monastary in Jerusalem. Emahoy's music is intimate, delicate, joyful, and melancholy all at the same time. We draw a lot of inspiration from her music and personal journey. At 90, Emahoy is finally starting to get some of the recognition she deserves.
02. Lieut. Mesfin Haile, Hirut Beqele and The Police Orchestra - (track title unknown)
This song comes from a Voice of America reel that was recorded in 1961. It features Lieutenant Mesfin Haile and Hirut Beqele accompanied by the Police Orchestra, along with an amazing violin player. They sing, 'Life is Tough. This world is an unforgiving and bitter place, and now you are leaving me'. Sublime.
03. Getatchew Mekurya - Ambassel (Slow)
This waltz-like tune is by the most popular saxophonist in Ethiopia, Getatchew Mekurya. It was recorded in 1972 and was originally released on the Philips record label during the heyday of Ethio Jazz. It was later released on 'Ethiopiques Vol. 14: Negus of Ethiopian Sax'. Getatchew draws much of his inspiration from Shellela, a traditional vocal style sung by warriors before going into battle. You can hear this sentiment in his melismatic style of playing. Getatchew still performs regularly in Ethiopia, Europe, and Canada.
04. Alem Girma Band ft. Alemayehu Eshete - Ambassel (Fast)
Referred to as the Ethiopian James Brown, Alemayehu Eshete is a talented and spirited vocalist who first got his break with Addis Ababa's famous Police Orchestra. Ambassel is an area found in the Amhara region of Ethiopia with the root word ‘amb' meaning fortress. It is also the name of one of the major musical scales in the country. There are various versions of Ambassel that have been recorded by different musicians over the years. The lyrics to this version speak of a man who is out of luck in his pursuit of love. Alemayehu Eshete also has a slow version of Ambassel that has a completely definitely feel... definitely worth checking out!
05. Mulatu Astatke - Yefikir Tezeta
This slow burner by Mulatu Astatke is a favorite amongst the members of Ethio Cali. So much so that one of our drummers/percussionists, Te'Amir Yohannes Sweeney, produced a tune that sampled this track. This song was originally released on Philips International as a 45. It was later reissued on the compilation 'New York - Addis - London: The Story of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975'. Eternal gratitude to master Mulatu!
06. Alemayehu Eshete and Hirut Beqele - Temeles
This is a love duet that features Alemayehu Eshete and Hirut Beqele. The lyrics speak of a man who has left his lover for work. His lover misses him dearly and is pleading for his return. This is a classic example of an unrequited love ballad, a theme commonly found in Ethiopian music. Our interpretation of this tune has energy and intensity, and we substitute horns for the vocal lines.
07. Mahmoud Ahmed - Fitsum Dink Lidj Nesh
Mahmoud Ahmed is a beloved vocalist from the Gurage region of Ethiopia. He shined shoes as a boy before getting his break as a singer with Emperor Haile Selassie I's Imperial Body Guard Band. He later recorded with groups such as The Venus Band, Ibex Band, and Walias. Fitsum Dink Lidj Nesh finds Mahmoud Ahmed singing poetically about the beauty of an Abyssinian woman. He goes into great detail describing her lovely features. He wonders what her name is and finally calls her Fitsum Dink Lidj Nesh, which translates to 'you are an absolute miracle”.
One of the most beautiful things about music is its influence on both the past and present. The music of today owes an incalculable debt to the musical forefathers and foremothers of yesteryear.
Most recently, DJ Sirak - representing both NYC and Ethiopia - dropped a mix invoking the music of Ethiopia's Golden Era...reminding us how these musical masterpieces have influenced music of today - with artists such as Common and K'naan sampling what are undisputedly some of the hottest break beats of all time.
Sirak describes his lastest mix - Addis Soul Vol. 1 as "Ethiopian Music in it's Funkish, Afrobeatish days with some modern mixes and blends as how it is used today... this is Vol. 1 out of 4 parts.. stayed tuned and we will keep you dancing like your uncle from the 60's and 70's..."
Africology by DJ Sirak
01. Intro - Dj-Sirak 02. Mary Jane - Burns 03. Tizita - Seyfu Yohannes 04. CommonBuy - The Game 05. Shellela - Getachew Mukurya 06. I Come Prepared - By K'Naan 07. Eruq Yaleshee - Alèmayéhu Eshèté 08. Dr. No - Ethio-Soul 09. Hagerwa Gonder - Alèmayéhu Eshèté 10. Ené Nègn Bay Manèsh - Girma Bèyènè 11. Astawisalew - Lemma Demissew 12. Mulatu Astatke - Interlude 13. Tchero Adari Negn - Alèmayéhu Eshèté 14. Almokerkum NeberBuy By Hirut Beqele 15. Fiqer Fiqer New - Alèmayéhu Eshèté 16. Aykedashim Libe - Tilahun Gessesse 17. Hasabe - Ayalew Misfin 18. Lèzèlalèm Nuri - Lemma Demissew 19. Gizie Degu NegerBuy - Mahmoud Ahmed 20. Freestyle At The Africology Studio's - M.Anifest
Some of the artists featured on the "mix tape" are Gigi, Teddy Afro (Tewodros Kassahun), Gossaye Tesfaye, Theodros Tadesse, Aster Aweke, Abeba Lakew, Roha Band, Gedion Daniel, Shewanday Hailu, Manalemosh Dibo, Hebist Tiruneh, Henock Abebe, Girma Gemechu, Hamelmal Abate, Monica Sisay, Tsehaye Yohannes, Betelhem Dagnachew, Abinet Agonafer, Neway Debebe, Netsanet Mellesse, Abyssinia Band, Lafonte (Brihanu Tezera & Tadele Roba), Zeritu, Abdu Kiar, Mikael Belayneh, Dawit Malese, Tilahun Gessesse, Shewanday Hailu and more...
To download this Amharic music mix for free and for Part II : http://www.facebook.com/JaBig This New 2011 YouTube Exclusive DJ Mix of music of Ethiopia by JaBig showcases Ethiopian Synth-Pop songs that are popular in Addis & worldwide. ____________ About this Mix: -----------------
In August 2011 as I was organising my music to decide on what to bring along on my 8-year DJ world tour by car, I stumbled across a large collection of Ethiopian music given to me by a friend four years earlier that I had never really had taken the time to listen to because with over 50 000 songs that I own, it takes forever to go through it.
One night I could not sleep because for a reason that I forgot so I decided to give the music a listen. I stepped onto the SL 1200s and booted up my DJ set recording software and got mixing.
Keep in mind that it was the first time listening to 99% of the Ethiopian songs found in the mix and the synth-sound style were completely new to me coupled with the fact that some of the music was originally poorly recorded so this was the most impromptu and unprepared DJ set ever so kindly bear with the not-so-perfect session.
One day when I have the time, I will write down the complete tracklisting for those interested. I am a very, very busy man so don't count on it anytime soon unfortunately...
Feel free to send me your feedback (good or bad!) at JABIG@JABIG.COM and do visit http://www.JaBig.com if you'd like to listen to more music, read my travel tales and discover the reason behind my 8-year journey around the world by car.
Enjoy! -- JaBig (Montreal, August 2011)
PS: If you enjoyed this why not show your support by donating at least $5 to the UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME, the largest humanitarian agency in the world fighting child hunger worldwide including Ethiopia?
Every single dollar counts so please donate? 25 cents (US$) feeds a 1 child so imagine what $5 at least could do. Thanks! https://www.wfp.org/donate/fillthecup
This is a great CD of Alemayehu's (the Ethiopian Elvis) greatest works of his seasoned musical career. The old authentic Ethiopian melodies are composed with mixed symphonyish, jazzy, rich musical extrvaganza. With his powerful bass voice, his vibrant and jubliant immersion in his performance is apparent in his songs.
He offers his beatuful versions of Tizita and Ambassel (classis Ethiopian melodies). My favorite is however, Marign Biyeshalo with poetic rhymes ('Kodaye tegefo yihunilish chama'- peel my skin off and make a shoe out it for her). I recommend it to anyone who loves the original Ethiopian melodies and appreciates its composition with 21st century instruments.
Dur Dur's songs are almost always drenched in love. To the best of my knowledge, they didn't address social or political issues during the military dictatorship and that's why their lyrics didn't make a lasting impression on me or flare up my interest in the band; hence my sketchy knowledge about their work and background. I was really delighted with the post-Siad Barre cassette Andreas posted at Kezira, in which they've several socially engaged tracks.
These songs are mainly in southern vernacular languages. I hail from about 1100 kms further up North and, though I understand the basics fairly well, I don't have the required baggage to fathom the linguistic and literary subtleties inherent to these dialects. Neither can I contextualize the songs since I don't know if, as was common during the military dictatorship, some of the songs were meant as protest double entendres, were adopted as such by the general public, if events were associated with them etc. That's why I'd rather not venture into summarizing, let alone publicly interpreting, the lyrics.
Nevertheless, all the songs are conspicuously about love and I've tried to translate the tracktitles. Corrections are, of course, most welcome!
The following six songs are from the soundtrack of "Rafaad iyo Raaxo" ("Misfortune and Comfort"),a 1986 tragicomedy that was also filmed a couple of years later.
01 - Dur Dur - Duruuf Maa Laygu Diidee
"Duruuf Maa Laygu Diidee" means "Rejected Due to My Circumstances." The vocals are by Muktar "Idi" Ramadan.
02 - Dur Dur - Saafiyeey Makaa Samraayee!
In this song vocalistShimaali Axmed Shimaalipleads, "Oh, Saafi! I Won't let You Go" (Saafi is a female name).
03 - Dur Dur - Waanada Waxtarkayga Waaye
"Waanada Waxtarkayga Waaye"means "This Advice Does me Good/I'm Well Advised". Vocals by Cabdullaahi Shariif Baastow & Maryan Naasir.
04 - Dur Dur - Muraadkay Waa Helee
"Muraadkay Waa Hellee" means "We've Reached Our Goal." Vocals by Muktar "Idi" Ramadan & Sahra Dawo.
05 - Dur Dur - Ma Hurdee
"Ma Hurdee"("I Can't Sleep"). Vocals by Sahra Dawo & Muktar "Idi" Ramadan.
These next songs are from two tapes without album or song titles. The track names are thus the popular titles under which the songs were dubbed by the public (see the post on Iftin).
07 - Dur Dur - Waxan Sugi Ma Helayaa?
"Waxan Sugi Ma Helayaa?" ("Shall I Get What I'm Waiting For?") is also known as "Saqda Dhexe Riyadiyo Sariir Maran" ("Midnight Dream in an Empty Bed"). Vocals bySahra Dawo.
08 - Dur Dur - Shaacaan Ka Qaadaa
"Shaacaan Ka Qaadaa" ("I'm Revealing all of it") is also known as "Shallay Ma Roonee" ("Remorse Is Pointless"). Vocals by Sahra Dawo & Cabdullaahi Shariif Baastow.
09 - Dur Dur - Rag Kaleeto Maa Kuu Riyaaqayee?
"Rag Kaleeto Maa Kuu Riyaaqayee?" ("Are Other Men Admiring You?"), aka "Reerkaagaa Joogee" ("Stay With Your Family"). Vocals by Cabdullaahi Shariif Baastow.
10 - Dur Dur - Boodhari Sidiisii
Cilmi Ismaaciil Liibaan (better known as Boodhari) is the main protagonist in a true love story that took place in in the 1930s in Berbera, a town in the current Somaliland. He was in his thirties when he fell head over heels in love with Hodon, a teenage girl whose parents were opposed to a relationship between the two due to the difference in age and social class; he worked in a bakery and she belonged to one of the richest families in the area. Hugely burdened and dismayed by the unrequited love, Boodhari composed numerous poems and songs about this forbidden love. Hodon eventually got married to another man and, though this is not corroborated by watertight evidence, Boodhari became so disconsolate that he finally committed suicide. It's not established beyond doubt that all the poems and songs attributed to Boodhari were indeed written by him, but his legend and compositions have certainly been part and parcel of Somali love stories ever since. The song "Boodhari Sidiisii" ("In Boodhari's Footsteps") is also known as "Maruun ii Bishaarey!" ("Surprise Me Once With Good News!"). The vocals are by Cabdullaahi Shariif Baastow.
11 - Dur Dur - Doobnimaadey Maka Dogoownee
"Doobnimaadey Maka Dogoownee" ("Getting Old Single") is also known as "Dersi Anaa Lahaa" ("I Need A Lesson [In Love]"). Vocals by Sahra Dawo.
12 - Dur Dur - Ilwaad Quruxeey!
"Oh, Angelic Beauty!"Vocals by Cabdullaahi Shariif Baastow.
13 - Dur Dur - Jaajuumoow Jees
The title of this song means "A Joking Madman." Vocals by Cabdullaahi Shariif Baastow & Sahra Dawo.
14 - Dur Dur - Waxla Aaminaan Jirin
"Waxla Aaminaan Jirin" ("Nobody To Confide In/NothingTo Trust"), aka "Is Yeelyeel" ("Simulation, Pretense"). Vocals by Sahra Dawo.
Most people are familiar with the Ethiopian music of the ‘golden seventies’. The great CD-series of ‘Ethiopiques’ focuses on this remarkable period of truly amazing and rich music. The era of the big brass bands came to an end in the period of the ‘Derg’, the military government in Ethiopia from 1975 till 1991. After that, the scene seemed confused.
Many great musicians were forced into exile or passed away. The horns mostly disappeared and were replaced by cheap keyboards everywhere. Awful bombastic overproduced ‘plastic’ pop productions flooded the market. Synthesisers, vocoders, drummachines and hasty productions that all sound alike.
But in the last few years something new is emerging. Young producers have started combining traditional rhythms and strong dance beat production. The result is very original, uplifting and very danceable music. The gurage, wollo, gondar, oromo and other traditional rhythms work wonders for this new dance music. And the Ethiopian youth loves it. It can be heard not only in the hip areas like Bole, but all over Addis and other Ethiopian urban areas. Blasting from restaurants, taxi’s, coffeeplaces, grocerystores and Addis’ giant market, the Mercato.
The ‘Ililta’ CD is a compilation of this new Ethiopian dance music, recorded with a new generation of singers over the last decade. A cross-selection of the production work of Mesele Asmamaw and some of his close colleges.
Tlahoun Gésséssé is widely regarded as the "Voice" of Ethiopia. Born in 1940, his singing and recording career began in the 1950's until his recent death earlier in 2009. As many followers of the Ethiopiques series will know, the incredible 17th installment is dedicated to Tlahoun, largely featuring arrangements by Mulatu Astatke and a selection of the country's finest ensembles. This record is essentially another "Best Of..", featuring a selection of tracks taken from the 60's & 70's golden period of Ethiopian music, when Tlahoun's tenor was recognised as the best around, playing to Haile Selassie I on numerous occasions.
It's standard practice in any country for the most celebrated singers to receive backing from the best players they can offer and Tlahoun worked with the top musicians in Ethiopia. His powerful vocals are well matched by blazing funk, heartfelt soul and superb Ethiopian rhythms, that still sound as fiery and impassioned today as we can only imagine they did back then. The hot and hazy swing of 'Kulun Mankwalesh' or the steaming funk of 'Aykedashem Lebé' show Tlahoun's diversity and range perfectly and are worth the price of admission alone. If you dig any of the Ethiopiques series or Sublime Frequencies Group Doueh this is an absolute must.
