Sleeping In The Market [Ethiopian Music & Sounds From Amhara] [2005]

                           R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

         Basically an audio travel scrapbook, Sleeping in the Market takes listeners on a tour of the Ethiopian region of Amhara. 

       Our guides are Mehari Smon and his son Yayehe. The former is making a pilgrimage back to his roots; the latter is pointing a microphone at local musicians, whether they are professionals performing in an Adiss-Abbaba teahouse or children singing and dancing in the streets of poor neighborhoods. 

           The Smons are quiet guides, letting the people and places speak for themselves. Their document presents music caught in the social act, music embedded in everyday life. 

        A young girl greets us first on the street, singing to support her family. Her "Laluyeah" is quite moving. She belongs to a small group of children coming back regularly throughout this short album -- their songs offer a counterpoint to their elders' music, of which "Endaw Mela Mela" is the most significant. Captured in a teahouse and 13 minutes in duration, it features a male/female duo of singers. The man also plays the accordion in a style very typical of that part of Africa, while the vocals hint at Muslim cultures, especially the art of qawwali (both in the vocal inflections and the call-and-response system). 

       The album is slightly short at 39 minutes, but it offers a pleasant listening curve. 

1. Laluyeah (Yearning Song)      (3:38)

2. Bale-Whashinto      (3:20)

3. Berewoo Taha Taha (The Bull, Taha, Taha)      (8:03)

4. Demam Era Dema      (1:36)

5. Aderch Arada (Sleeping In The Market)      (1:47)

6. Bale Ageru      (2:29)

7. Ney, Ney, Ney (Come, Come, Come)      (5:08)

8. Endiaw Mela Mela (Compassion)      (13:03)

     The production/compilation approach is somewhat similar to Sublime Frequencies' line of field recordings (Streets of Lhasa, for instance). ~ François Couture

Krar Collective - Ethiopia Super Krar [2012]

         'one of the most rousing, reliable new African bands of the year' 

                                                                                                          The Guardian

         'there’s something about the soulful bluesy sound that has a wide appeal ...  captivating' 4****stars, 

                                                                                       The Evening Standard

         'rousing, driving songs... a no-nonsense set that provides a reminder of the great African music to be found in the UK' 3*** stars 

                                                                                                      The Guardian

         'the fireworks are spectacular' 3***stars

                                                                                           The Financial Times

          'primed to deliver a raw, yet updated blast of Ethiopian Blues' 3***stars 

                                                                                                              Songlines

       THE KRAR COLLECTIVE (aka Geata Krar Collective) are Temesegen Tareken (aka Temesgen Zeleke), a former pupil of veteran Ethiopian vibraphone player Mulatu Astatke, on Krar, Robel Tesfaye on traditional 

Ethiopian Kebero drums, and singer-dancer Genet Asefa. They are sometimes joined by other musicians, singers and full dance show with 4 dancers.

         Krar Collective brings mind-blowing Ethiopian grooves, dazzling Krar and kebero drums, and stunning vocals rooted in tradition and soaked with contemporary attitude. Dubbed “the White Stripes of  Ethiopia’ for its minimalist rocky sound, the unstoppable trio— Temesegen Zeleke on the krar (a five- or six-stringed harp), singer Genet Asefa, and drummer Grum Begashaw—bases its repertoire on traditional Ethiopian songs but creates a unique style with timeless appeal: All Music Guide says it’s “unlike any other music from Africa in recent years. … at once accessible, beautiful, and energetic.” 

        With vocals full of collective cadences and long solo poems, musical stops and starts that create an organic syncopation, and a krar that alternates from lead to rhythm instrument, Krar Collective is rhythmically spellbinding, and uniquely powerful.

Ethiopia Super Krar

       Ethiopia Super Krar is Krar Collective’s dazzling debut release. The unstoppable trio, dubbed ‘the White Stripes of Ethiopia’ for their minimalist rocky sound, are favourites on the London and increasingly on the international live circuit. They are renowned for dynamic performances of their contagious music and equally infectious dance moves. Ethiopia Super Krar was recorded to tape on an original 1960s 24-track reel to reel machine, an approach which helped to capture Krar Collective’s music as close as possible to the live experience– the sound is real and honest, not a manufactured perfection.

        The instrumental line-up features the krar and bass krar lyre, kebero drums, a one stringed masenqo fiddle, and a washint flute accompanying the band’s distinctive vocals. Band leader Temesgen Zeleke and Genet Assefa share lead singer role. Genet is magnetic in performance and recording – her soaring ululations and perfectly delivered melodies fill the spacious sound. Temesgen Zeleke is a revolutionary krar player – standing to strum and pick his electrified instrument, often kneeling to the floor during his killer solos in intense Hendrix fashion, all on just six open strings. As a young student Temesgen was mentored and encouraged by legendary Ethio-jazzman Mulatu Astatke, and an instrumental arrangement by Astatke features on Ethiopia Super Krar. The famous Ethiopian actress Asnakech Worku, who pioneered the krar as an accompaniment to her emotional ballads during the 1960s and 70s, is also paid a tribute via a cover of her spine-tingling song ‘Endye Eyerusalem’.

        Other songs in the repertoire are traditional and represent different Ethiopian tribes. The names of the tracks (‘Ambassel’, Guragigna’, ‘Konso’, ‘Oromigna’, ‘Wello’, ‘Welaita’) are related to the names of ethnic groups or geographical regions. ‘Tizita’ is a ballad form in Ethiopian music associated with remembering loved ones and the ‘King of Tizita’ Mahmoud Ahmed, and ‘Ete-mete’ is a children’s song.

       Krar Collective present their sound and their philosophy – rural music in urban clothes, and a belief  Ethiopian traditions need to be respected, enjoyed and preserved. Influenced by their London home - in 2012 they represent Ethiopia in the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad - their Ethiopian roots and their own abounding creative streak, they are setting the scene alight with 2012 shows in India, Canada, Germany, Finland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, and Poland even before their first album release– Ethiopia Super Krar looks set to spread their fire even wider and even wilder!

Track List

01.  Guragigna       (6:07)

02.  Oromigna        (7:49)

03.  Ambassel        (5:28)

04.  Wello           (6:01)

05.  Konso           (6:01)

06.  Mr Astatke      (3:12)

07.  Ete-mete        (4:06)

08.  Welaita         (5:02)

09.  Tizita          (7:20)

10. Ende Eyerusalem  (7:23)

Eyob Mekonnen - Ende Kal [2010]

   R.I.P.   

 Popular Ethiopian reggae singer 

Eyob Mekonnen has died.

    Eyob Mekonnen (12 October 1975 - 18 August 2013) was an Ethiopian reggae singer. His songs were well known for their themes of "love, understanding, and respect".

     Eyob was born in Jijiga in 1975, during the start of the Ethiopian Civil War. His father, Mekonnen Yalem, was an officer in the Ethiopian Army during the war in Eritrea, which was credited with inspiring him to impart peaceful messages in songs such as "Nekchalehu" and "Negen Layew".

He moved to Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, when he was young, and attended school whilst maintaining an interest in music.

       He joined a five-person band called the Zion Band, which was described as having a "reggae beat with a distinctive Ethiopian cast".The band became a fixture at popular clubs in Addis Ababa, performing opening acts for popular singers like Haileye Tadesse, who sung songs like "Song of the Dominions" and "Anthem of the Movement". His musical style was unique, not only mixing popular Amharic music with reggae, but also Oromo popular music, counting Ali Birra as one of his major influences, alongside Bob Marley. 

       In 2010, he released his first album, Ende Kal. Although lukewarmly received by audiences at first, as it differed from the often synthesized, electronic music that had prevailed since the era of the Derg and the demise of the big bands of the Haile Selassie era. Slowly, however, the album gained a following and "great national acclaim".

       His songs dealt with issues of and promoted "morality, love, peace and social consciousness", themes that made them popular and hard-hitting. In 2010 he embarked on a campaign called "Finding Peace" to help heal rifts caused by the disputes in the parliamentary elections.

     In 2012 he released two singles; "Beyemehalu" and "Negen Layew". He was beginning to tour abroad, particularly in Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.

       On 13 August 2013 Eyob suffered a ischemic stroke brought on by atrial fibrillation and entered a coma, however he was in otherwise good health. His fans and his promoter, Yisakal Entertainment, took to Facebook to post updates on his conditions and raise funds for his treatment on a page called "Let Us Pray for Eyob Mekonnen". Due to these efforts, Eyob was moved to Nairobi on 17 August, however he died on 18 August due to complications. He was credited with sparking a movement towards live music and away from so called "one man bands" and furthering the popularity of reggae and roots music in Ethiopia.

01. Eyob Mekonnen - Nekchalehu (3:44)

02. Eyob Mekonnen - Negen Layew (5:35)

03. Eyob Mekonnen - Yene Konjo duet with Zeritu Kebede (3:51)

04. Eyob Mekonnen - Yemeder Dershaya (6:09)

05. Eyob Mekonnen - Endatefash (4:02)

06. Eyob Mekonnen - Debezezesh (6:26)

07. Eyob Mekonnen - Yezebarekalu (5:04)

08. Eyob Mekonnen - Ye Ewenetuan New (4:45)

09. Eyob Mekonnen - Yekunkua Felasefa (4:45)

10. Eyob Mekonnen - Wekil Nesh (3:07)

11. Eyob Mekonnen - Rekeda (5:06)

12. Eyob Mekonnen - Man ende kal (Nothing like a promise) (4:16)

Teshome Mitiku - 10 years [1999-2009]

Teshome Mitiku - Senseless War

          Teshome Mitiku has had a legendary 40-year career at the heart of Ethiopian music, forming the massively popular Soul Ekos Band in Addis Ababa in the 1960s.

       The Soul Ekos Band was the first to combine traditional Ethiopian music with the sounds of electric soul and popular music from the West. They were absolute superstars, playing regularly in front of crowds of 60,000 in Ethiopia, Sudan & Kenya.

       In the late 60's, Teshome (singer/keyboard), Theodros "Teddy" Mitiku (alto saxophone), Tamrat Ferendji (trumpet), Fekade Amde-Meskel (bass), Tesfaye Mekonnen (drums), Alula Yohannes (guitar) and Seifu Yohannes (singer) joined to form the influential Soul Ekos Band. The band released numerous songs, including 4 tracks written by Teshome like Gara Ser New Betesh, Yezemed Yebada, Mot Adeladlogn and Hasabe. 

Teshome Mitiku is featured on volumes 1, 4 and 10 of the celebrated Ethiopiques series from Buda Records, featuring thrilling discoveries from the vibrant Ethiopian music scene of the 1970s. 

His songs have also appeared on the popular Rough Guide series of world music compilations.

            Here is a compilation from his latest three albums : Yegna Neger, Yesterday & Today, Topia's Deluge and collaboration with Frehiwot Lemma from album Zefen.

01. Teshome Mitiku - Ambati (5:11)

02. Teshome Mitiku - Almazye (5:15)

03. Teshome Mitiku - Yegna Neger (8:13)

04. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Bati (7:46)

05. Teshome Mitiku - Photoyen Ayechew (4:52)

06. Teshome Mitiku - Senseless War (6:57)

07. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Eshururu (5:06)

08. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Kante Gar (5:58)

09. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Susegnash (6:08)

10. Teshome Mitiku - Leader-less People (6:10)

11. Teshome Mitiku - Gimash Sewenete (6:45)