v.a. - New Ethio Jazz [dbl cd] [2013]

Merry Christmas to all my friends and blog readers. 

Consider this double compilation cd as Christmas present!

I made it in an effort to introduce recent ethiopian jazz & grooves to wider public.

Enjoy music and send some comments.

   cd 1   

01. Arat Kilo - Aykedashem Lebe (3:57)
02. Tezeta Band - Tey Geryeleshem (Forget It, Don't Worry) (2:55)
03. The Budos Band - Aynotchesh Yererfu (3:50)
04. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Le Le Le (6:26)
05. Le Tigre (des Platanes) & Etenesh Wassie - Ney-Ney Weleba (4:27)
06. Samuel Yirga - Tiwista (Tinish Mix) (5:57)
07. JAzmaris - Far From Ambasel (6:11)
08. Yared Tefera - Uuta Ayaskefam ° (6:05)
09. Akale Wube - Ragale (5:09)
10. Arat Kilo - Get a Chew (4:48)
11. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Selam Temagwet (5:36)
12. Ethioda - En plein dans le Nil (4:56)
13. Wudasse - Aba Gerima [Morning Song] (8:20)



   cd 2   


01. Skeletons - Mulatu (2:55)
02. The Shaolin Afronauts - Amhara (5:17)
03. Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - Ethio (3:41)
04. Tezeta Band - Hametegnaw (5:18)
05. Ukandanz - Belomi Benna (3:09)
06. Arat Kilo - Lonmewo Lalie feat. Mimi (3:23)
07. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Korahu (5:54)
08. Debo Band - Mignoten Man Yawkal (4:06)
09. uKanDanz & Asnake Guebreyes - Aykedeshem Lebe (6:34)
10. Jungle by Night - Ethiopeno (3:28)
11. JAzmaris - Aha Gedawo (6:06)
12. Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex & Friends - Aha Gedawo (5:03)
13. Trio Kazanchis - Ende eyerusalem (5:10)

Ethiopian mixtape by Marc Teissier du Cros [2012]

originaly posted : here

       Marc Teissier du Cros, one half of the brains behind Paris label The Record Makers,  home to some of Paris’ strongest music acts the likes of Sébastien Tellier lent his talents this past July to summer festival Les Siestes Electroniques.

     Mining the music archive of the Left Bank’s Musée du Quai Branly, Teissier du Cros complies Ethiopia!  an Ethio Jazz & modern music mixtape featuring some of the genres biggest names Mahmoud Ahmed, Bahta Gebre-Heywet, Tilahoun Gessesse, Mulatu Astatke, Mohammed Jimmy  Mohammed and more.

     Without a doubt the inclusion of tracks like ‘Tezeta’ by Mahmoud Ahmed makes this mixtape tug hard on nostalgic strings for any listener familiar with the Addis Ababa music scene of the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s.

       Marc tells that he delved into the genre when music label Buda Musique began releasing the ‘Ethiopiques‘ series  curated by Francis Falceto in the late 90′s.  A fan of Pharaoh Sanders in his student days, he mentions that "listening to Ethiopian music was like discovering where Pharoah Sanders found some of his inspiration from. Ethiopia was the heartbeat of the American free jazz scene of the late 60′s, Coltrane, Pharoah!  A bit the same way seeing Fela Kuti live in Lagos gave James Brown enough guts to move from soul to funk music.”

Roha Band - Tour 1990 [The Best of Roha Band]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       When the Ibex Band disbanded in 1979, three of its members – Selam Seyoum, Giovanni Rico and Fekadu Amdemeskel – joined with Dawit Yifru, keyboard player for the also recently disbanded Dahlak Band, to form the now-legendary Roha Band. 

      Specializing in modern Ethiopian music with a traditional blend, the band’s first contract was with the Addis Ababa Hilton, where they performed together six days a week, perfecting their signature sound. The Roha Band traveled extensively, in Ethiopia and abroad, and performed on Ethiopian television. They made over 250 recordings with a multitude of celebrated Ethiopian singers, including Aster Aweke, Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, Muluken Mellesse, Theodros Tadesse, Hamelmal Abate and Neway Debebe. Although the band broke up in 1994, with the members pursuing individual interests, no other Ethiopian group has matched the number or quality of their recordings.

         The Ibex band-of Ere Mela Mela fame-was renamed Roha band and along with Ethio Stars and Wallias Band,they became the leading bands of the time.

      Roha has produced over the years 250 recordings with all the stellar Ethiopian singers: Aster Aweke,Tilahun Gesesse, Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete.

      Recorded during their first North American tour,this album introduced singers Neway Debebe,Hamelmal Abate,and Berhane Haile to the States and the large Ethiopian community there.

the Artists

Hamelmal Abate: vocals

Neway Debebe: vocals

Berhane Haile: vocals

Ashenafi Awel: drums

Giovanni Rico Bonsignori: bass

Yonas Degefie: saxophone

Selam Syoum: guitar

Yared Tefera: saxophone

Dawit Yifru: keyboards

Menelik Wossenachew - mixtape [ethiopia]

Enjoy a mix of 10 of Menelik’s songs in 15 minutes.

01.Wub Nat, 

02.Yachi Lij Qonjo Nat, 

03.Aderech Arada, 

04.Chereqa, 

5.Meqaberen Liyew, 

06.Tebeb Teqami New, 

07.Fiqrachin, 

08.Mambo Sambo,

09.Bati, 

10.Tizita  

Wub Nat:  Written and arranged by Girma Beyene when Menelik was a member of the second Ras Band

Yachi Lij Qonjo Nat: Backed by Haile Selassie Theatre Orchestra–arranged by Nerses Nalbandian

Aderech Arada:  Lyrics by Getachew Debalke arranged by Nerses Nalbandian; backed by Haile Selassie I Theatre Orchestra

Chereqa:  A children’s song-arranged by Girma Beyene backed by All Star Band

Meqaberen Liyew:  Lyrics and music by Menelik Wossenachew arranged by Girma Beyene backed by the All Star Band

Tebeb Teqami New:   arranged by Nerses Nalbandian backed by Haile Selassie Theatre Orchestra

Fiqrachin: Lyrics  by Menelik Wossenachew: music and arrangement  by Mulatu Astatke; backed by the All Star Band

Mambo Sambo:   Lyrics by Menelik Wossenachew; music and arrangement  by Mulatu Astatke; backed by All Star Band

Bati:    Lyrics traditional and Menelik Wossenachew; arranged by Girma Beyene; backed by Marathon Band

Tizita:   Lyrics traditional and Menelik Wossenachew; arranged by Mulatu Astatke

v.a. - Assiyo Bellema - Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music [2013]

             All hits compilation of late 1960s to early 1970s Ethiopian soul and R 'n' B. Very intensely groove oriented material by some of Ethiopia's top musicians. Includes songs by Mulatu Astatke, Seyfou Yohannes, Ayelew Mesfin, Getatchew Kassa, and the mighty Abbebe Tessemma. Nonstop party. Old school 'tip on' sleeve.

         Class side of Ethio R&B hits dating to late ’60s and early ’70s. It comes out of the blocks hard with Astatke’s Assiyo Bellema and Tessemma’s Ashasha Beyew both boasting irresistible polyrhythmic grooves, the former bouncing along with queasy steel drum details, while the latter is driven by organ chords and lovely bright brass.

       While other highlights come courtesy of Yohannes’ lounge jazz-inflected Yekermo Sew with smooth sax, bubbling guitar work and a fascinating cyclic piano line, Mesfin’s bouncy funk-soaked Lene Antchi Bitcha Nesh and the irresistible polyrhythmic call-and-response simplicity of Damtew Ayele’s ‘Wefe Yelala’, the whole LP is a delight, although with these warm exotic shuffle grooves it feels like more of a soiree than a party.

01. Mulatu Astatque - Assiyo Bellema (2:54)

02. Abbebe Tessemma - Ashasha Beyew (3:36)

03. Getatchew Kassa & Soul Ekos Band - Bey Lesnabetesh (4:03)

04. Seyfou Yohannes - Yekermo Sew (4:18)

05. Abbebe Tessemma - Gebru Guratch Gute (2:45)

06. Samuel Belay - Lebene Sheweshew (3:12)

07. Seyfou Yohannes - Metche Dershe (3:58)

08. Ayalew Mesfin - Lene Antchi Bitcha Nesh (4:00)

09. Damtew Ayele - Wefe Yelala (2:57)

10. Tamrat Molla & Venus Band - Ber Anbar Seberelewo (3:26)

Alèmayèhu Eshèté & Badume's Band - Le Festival Fiest' a Séte [2010]

                            R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   


Live at " Fiest'A Sete" (Théätre de la Mer, Sete, France), on the 5th of August 2008.

       Despite a 1948 Imperial edict banning the distribution of Ethiopian pop music, Amha Eshete  launched a record label,Amha Records, and released 103 singles and a dozen albums by Ethiopian artists between 1969 and 1975. In addition to making Ethiopian music known throughout the world, Eshete helped to spark a modern period of creativity in his homeland. During an interview in the early-1990s, Eshete said, "I had a gut feeling that it was the right thing to do. I took the risk.". The governmental resistance against Eshete's efforts proved ultimately insurmountable. By the mid-1990s, Eshete had emigrated to the United States.

v.a. - Ethiopia Bleeding [Bleeding Panda Blog] (2009)

original source : Bleeding Panda Blog

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

01. Alemayehu Eshete - Telantena Zare (3:47)
02. Shebele's Band (Vocals: Alemayehu Eshete) - Tequr Gessla (3:13)
03. Tèsfa-Maryam Kidané - Yètèsfa Tezata (2:39)
04. Beyene Habte - Embi Ila (4:03)
05. Tewelde Redda - Milenu (5:02)
06. Hirut Beqele - Essu Nèw Mèssèlègn (2:47)
07. Tlahoun Gèssèssè - Sego Mènor (2:52)
08. Mulatu Astatke - Yègellé Tezeta (My Own Memory) (3:18)
09. Girma Bèyènè - Ené Nègn Bay Manèsh (4:02)
10. Girma Bèyènè - Sét Alamenem (5:28)
11. Bahta Gebre-Heywet - Ewnet Yet Lagegnesh (2:46)
12. Heywete - Tesfa-Maryam Kidane (5:16)
13. Menelik Wesnatchew - Tezeta (4:32)
14. Mulatu Astatke - Tezeta (Nostalgia) (6:16)
15. Alem Girma Band - Ambassel (Fast) (4:20)
16. Alemayehu Eshete & Shebelle's Band - Tashamanaletch (4:09)
17. Ayalew Mesfin & Black Lion Band - Gedawo (4:05)
18. Wallias band - Musicawi silt (3:47)
19. Lèmma Dèmissèw - Adrashash Tèfabegn (2:52)
20. Alemayehu Eshete - Mekeyershin salawq (1:45)
21. Mahmoud Ahmed - Etu Gèla (5:53)
22. Mahmoud Ahmed - Bèlomi Bènna (3:54)
23. Mulatu Astatqe - Yekatit (3:58)
24. Getatchew Mekurya - Yègènèt Muziqa (4:33)
25. Mulatu Astatke - Asmarina (My Asmara) (4:58)
26. Getatchew Mekurya - Ambassèl (5:44)
27. Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou - Mother's Love (3:38)
28. Alemu Aga - Abatatchen Hoy (Pater Noster) (3:33)

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!

Debo Band - Flamingoh [EP] [2010]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

FLAMINGOH (Pink Bird Dawn)

       This live recording documents the brief period around our second trip to East Africa in Winter 2010, a journey that took our Ethio-groove collective across the world to share our interpretations of 1970s-era brass band-style Ethiopian funk. During this time we played a five-part hometown residency, a cosmopolitan Addis Ababa nightclub, and one of the largest music festivals in Africa. Along the way, we once again collaborated with dear friends and outstanding traditional artists: Melaku Belay and his group Fendika.

The flamingo is a majestic bird that thrives in the volcanic lake regions of East Africa's Great Rift Valley. Like many African animals, mystery and myths surround the origins of this long-necked pink bird. Our "flamingoh" is no exception: Flaming feathers (re)birthed from a breaking dawn. A dawn that rips open the sky.

The four tracks offered here are just the beginning: we have a documentary, featuring our escapades with Fendika, and a full-length live album on the way. This is our dawn: goh qeddede.

released 04 September 2010 

Bruck Tesfaye - vocals 
Stacey Cordeiro - accordion 
Kaethe Hostetter - five-string violin 
Jonah Rapino - electric violin 
Danny Mekonnen - tenor and baritone saxophones 
Abye Osman - alto saxophone 
David Harris - trombone 
Brendon Wood - guitar 
Arik Grier - sousaphone 
PJ Goodwin - electric bass 
Keith Waters - drums 

guests 

Selamnesh Zemene - vocals 
Asrat Ayalew - kebero (traditional drums) 

1. Debo Band - Musicawi Silt [Girma Beyene] (6:02)

2. Debo Band - Belomi Benna [Abrar Abde/Mahmoud Ahmed] (4:40)

3. Debo Band - Mignoten Man Yawkal [Seyfu H. Mariam/Tezera H. Miuchael] (4:06)

4. Debo Band - Lantchi Biye [For You] [Menelik Wossenachew] (5:27)

Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Hulgizey [Always, forever] [2007]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       Blind Ethiopian vocalist Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed, influenced by the legendary vocalist Tlahoun Gessesse (heard on the Ethiopiques CD series), has been a legend in Ethiopia for many years, mostly singing Gessesse's songs. Incredibly this is his first proper full length CD, which The Ex and Han Bennink made possible after hearing Mohammed perform in Europe and Ethiopian; so impressed were they that they made these recordings possible. 

    Han Bennink plays on several tracks, as does Zu bassist Massimo, Ethiopian saxophonist Getatchew Mekuria, alongside Mohammed's frequent collaborator Mesele Asmamaw on krar, a kind of 5-string harp. But above all this release is fueled by Mohammed's clear and powerful voice, making this intricate and ecstatic music so impressive and passionate.

1. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Sethed Seketelat (5:26)

2. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Mela Mela (5:07)

3. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Eywat Setenategagn (5:08)

4. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Antchin Keto (6:26)

5. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Hulgizey (6:13)

6. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Yaselamo Lalo (8:02)

7. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Ende Jerusalem (10:40)

8. Mohammed 'Jimmy' Mohammed - Sevetchi Men Yilala (26:50)

Mulatu Astatke - Live @ Altstadtherbst, Düsseldorf Sep-18th-2011

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

                  Excellent performance, exquisite sound. Enjoy!

        Mulatu Astatke - Live at Altstadtherbst, Düsseldorf, Sep-18th-2011 

01 Mulatu's intro             00:19

02 Dewell                      12:59

03 Yakermew Sew           11:19

04 Netsanet                   09:37

05 Azmari / Chic Chica     18:11

06 Yegelle Tezeta           05:54

07 Yekatit                      04:57

Walias Band - [1981] - The Best Of Walias [ethiopia]

         Walias Band (sometimes spelled Wallias Band) were an Ethiopian Jazz and funk band active from the early 1970s until the early 1990s. Formed by members of the Venus Band, Walias backed up many prominent singers with a hard polyrhythmic funk sound influenced by western artists like King Curtis, Junior Walker and Maceo Parker. 

      In 1977 they recorded one of the few albums of Ethiopian instrumental music (Hailu Mergia and The Walias Band – Tche Belew) in collaboration with vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke, whose role as a bandleader and composer was also a major influence on Ethiopian popular music.

     In 1981 Walias became the first modern Ethiopian band to travel to the United States, playing on a tour with singer Mahmoud Ahmed primarily to audiences of Ethiopian refugees.

     Four members Girma Bèyènè, Mogès Habté, Mèlakè Gèbrè and Haylu Mergia stayed in the U.S. and formed a new group called Zula Band in favor of returning to live in Ethiopia under its dictatorship.

     Mergia took work in Washington DC driving a taxi cab and released solo cassette tapes of traditional Ethiopian music played on analog synthesizer, electric piano and accordion.The remaining members, Yohannes Tèkola and Tèmarè Harègou, continued to play together under the Derg dictatorship for another decade.

    In the late 1990s Walias Band found a wider audience in the west when the French label Buda Records reissued much of the group's music on the Ethiopiques series of compact discs. Their instrumental, "Musicawi Silt", became a popular dance number and has been covered by a number of artists.

     The Walias Band's name derives from the walia ibex, an endangered species of the Capra genus native to the mountains of Ethiopia. They share no members with the similarly named Ibex Band who also backed up Mahmoud Ahmed during the same epoch.

1.Walias Band - Malada                        [Woubishet Fisseha]    (5:11)
2.Walias Band - Kalatashew Akal                                                (2:35)
3.Walias Band - Tizzita                         [Getachew Kassa]      (10:25)
4.Walias Band - Ashkaru                        [Mahmoud Ahmed]     (3:06)
5.Walias Band - Ye Kereme Fikir            [Getachew Kassa]     (4:47)
6.Walias Band - Inchi Libbe Echo Naw  [Mahmoud Ahmed]    (6:32)
7.Walias Band - Eyuwat Sitnafikagn                                           (3:41)
8.Walias Band - Wa Hoyye                  [Woubishet Fisseha]     (5:13)

Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Steps Ahead @ Glatt & Verkehrt [Krems, Austria - 30.7.2011]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

1. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - I - Dewel (13:07)
2. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - II - Yekermo Sew (11:46)
3. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - III - Netsanet (8:17)
4. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - IV - Chik Chikka (19:06)
5. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - V - Motherland (12:05)
6. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - VI - The Way To Nice (7:04)
7. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - VII - Yegelle Tezeta (5:07)
8. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - VIII - Yekatit (5:42)
9. Mulatu Astatke - Krems 30.07.2011 - IX - Mulatu (12:18)

Mulatu ASTATKE | vibraphone, congas, piano; 
Shabaka HUTCHINGS | saxophone; 
Byron WALLEN | trumpet; 
Richard Olatunde BAKER | percussion; 
Tom SKINNER | drums; 
John EDWARD | double bass; 
Alexander HAWKINS | keyboards; 
Danny KEANE | cello

v.a. - Old Gold of Ethiopia [4 cd]

       Here is a small summer present for all readers of this blog. Music for dance, talk and love. Rare and old ethiopian grooves. 210 minutes of pure joy and happiness

      The author of this blog is preparing for the vacation. There will be no new posts untill mid of september.

      Enjoy ethiopian music, write, comment and suggest.

                                                                                                    B.

cd 1 

01. Telahun Guesese & Mohamud Ahmed - Ye Meegeeb Aynetoch (6:11)
02. Telahun Gesese - Abat Des Yelewahal (6:53)
03. Wubshaw Sileshi - Yih New Getinet (3:24)
04. Abebe H. Micael & Walias Band - Ya Gabrie (2:49)
05. Samuel Belay - Aynotchesh Yerefu (3:08)
06. Alemayehu Eshete and Hirut Beqele - Temeles (3:20)
07. Menelik Wossenachew - Lantchi Biye (3:07)
08. Menelik Wossenachew - Mekaberene Liyew (3:31)
09. Menelik Wossenachew - Chereka (3:14)
10. Bizunesh Bekele - Felagote (2:54)
11. Bezunesh Bekele - Meegnoten Man Yawkal (4:13)
12. Bezunesh Bekele - Sintun Ayehu Bante (4:23)
13. Hirut Bekele - Almokèrkum Nèbèr (3:23)
14. Hirut Bekele - Essu Nèw Mèssèlègn (2:47)
15. Wallias Band - Muziqawi Silt (3:46)



cd 2

16. Hirut Bekele - unknown track (5:03)
17. Seifu Yohanes - Metche Dershe (3:58)
18. Seifu Yohanes - Hana (3:53)
19. Girma Beyene - Ene Negn Bay Manesh (4:02)
20. Girma Negash - Yen Hassab (3:50)
21. Girma Beyene - Fikir Ende Kirar (3:35)
22. Lema Demissew - Astawesalehu (4:05)
23. Lema Demissew - Adrashash Tefabeegn (2:42)
24. Mulatu Astatke - Maskaram Setaba (1:47)
25. Bahta Gebre Heywet - Ancheem Ende Layla (2:49)
26. Bahta Gebre Heywet - Tessassategn Eko (4:05)
27. Merwaye Yohanes - Soube Keremela (3:08)
28. Bezunesh Bekele - Fikir Habeet Iko New (3:03)
29. Bezunesh Bekele - Wode Metahubet Mender (3:47)



cd 3

30. Bahta Gebre Heywet - Ewnet Yet Lagegnesh (2:47)
31. Tesfa Maryam Kidane - Yetesfa Tezeta (2:40)
32. Mulatu Astatke - Kasalefkut Hulu (2:46)
33. Mulatu Astatke - Yekermo Sew (4:15)
34. Mulatu Astatke - Emnete (3:26)
35. Mulatu Astatke - Netsanet (5:35)
36. Tesfa Mariam Kidane - Heywete (5:17)
37. Teshome Mitiku - Yekermo Sew (4:18)
38. Teshome Mitiku - Hassabe (3:57)
39. Seyoum Gebreyes & Alem-Girma Band - Hametagnaw (3:25)
40. Teferi Feleke - Aynamayé (2:15)
41. Alemayehu Eshete and Hirut Beqele - Temeles (3:20)
42. Getatchew Kassa & Soul Ekos Band - Bey Lesnabetesh (4:03)
43. Wubshèt Fisseha & Exception Five Band - Sew endayhin Yellem (3:38)



cd 4

44. Getatchew Mekurya - Almaz Yeharerwa (3:48)
45. Muluken Mellesse - Embwa Belew (3:59)
46. Bezunesh Bekele & Imperial Bodyguard Band - Bezunesh Bekele & Imperial Bodyguard Band (1:58)
47. Bezunesh Bekele - Tegel New (3:31)
48. Hirut Bekele & Police Orchestra - Ewnetegna Feqer (3:15)
49. Hirut Bekele - Demam Konjo (5:24)
50. Abbebe Tessemma - Gebru Guratch Gute (2:45)
51. Seyoum Gebreyes and Wallias Band - Muziqa Muziqa (3:46)
52. Teshomé Mitiku - Yèzeèmèd Yèbaed (3:52)
53. Ayalew Mesfin - Lene Antchi Bitcha Nesh (4:00)
54. Tamrat Ferendji & Sensation Band - Antchin Yagegnulet (4:04)
55. Ayalew Mesfin - Hasabe (4:00)
56. Alemayehu Eshete - Eskegizew Bertchi (3:17)
57. The Ashantis - I Wanna Do My Thing (3:54)