Jano Band - Live Performance [2016] [ethiopia]

       Setting the trend for the Jano sound is a new synthesis which injects Ethiopian music into the genre of rock to create hot and harmoniously wild sounding of Ethiopian rock. Behind it is Jano, a band consisting two female vocalists, two male lead vocalists and six musicians who play bass guitar, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, keyboards and a drum. The two things the players have in common is that all of them are in their twenties and all share a single dream – to become the first international rock phenomena from Ethiopia.

         The man behind the making of Jano is Addis Gassesse, a renowned Ethiopian music manager who shuttles between Addis Abeba, New York and Kingston, Jamaica. Now Addis wants to get Jano play at international concerts and compete with any rock band on the world stage.

Jano Band - Darigne

       Jano has a unique way of showing the flare of its members, who, some of them came from different gospel choirs. The fusion of Ethiopian music with Rock is a complete detachment from the long tradition of music norm. But the songs are partly written by the band members themselves and partly by Yilma Gabreab, a popular Ethiopian song writer. The result is the first ever rock band in Ethiopia.

       While some of the band members have been heavily influenced by rock stars such as the Rolling Stones and Metallica, others have been influenced by jazz, pop and reggae. This diverse background of the members can be clearly seen in the unique sound of their music that takes its nuances from an eclectic assortment of styles that, deep down, didn’t abandon an Ethiopian flavor.

Jano Band are:

Kirubel Tesfaye (Band Leader and synthesizer)
Michael Hailu (Musical Director and Lead Guitar)
Dibekulu Tafesse (vocals)
Haleluya Tekletsadik (vocals)
Hewan Gebrewold (vocals)
Hailu Merga (vocals)
Yohannes Mekonen (drums)
Daniel Negash (bass)

Jano Band - 01 - Andnen (ft. Pamfalon) (6:14)

Jano Band - 02 - Darigne (3:35)

Jano Band - 03 - Yinegal (4:09)

Jano Band - 04 - Gude (Live) (6:20)

Jano Band - 05 - Mariye (Live) (6:28)

Jano Band - 06 - Mehed Mehed (Live) (7:09)

Jano Band - 07 - Gara Sir New Bete (Live) (3:50)

Jano Band - 08 - Ayrak (Live) (6:50)

Hirut Bekele - Hirut Bekele with Dahlak Band [1973] [ethiopia]

Hirut Bekele - Zemewal goradew

Hirut Bekele - 01 - Shgeye [ሸግዬ] (3:29)
Hirut Bekele - 02 - Zemewal goradew [ዘሟል ጐራዴው] (4:55)
Hirut Bekele - 03 - Yetedar melekyaye [የትዳር መለከያ] (5:51)
Hirut Bekele - 04 - Beabeboch mehal [በአበቦች መኻል] (4:54)
Hirut Bekele - 05 - Web new [ውብ ነው] (4:31)
Hirut Bekele - 06 - Mengizem Yantew negn [ምንጊዜም ያንተው ነኝ] (7:01)
Hirut Bekele - 07 - Yelewem Acha [የለውም እቻ] (5:21)
Hirut Bekele - 08 - EndeGebete Weha [አንደገበቴ ውሃ] (4:30)
Hirut Bekele - 09 - Tsebay Kewebet Gar [ጸባይ ከውበት ጋር] (5:52)
Dahlak Band - 10 - Instrumental (3:36)

Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Gigi [2001] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

        Ejigayehu Shibabaw, known by her stage name Gigi, is one of the most successful contemporary Ethiopian singers worldwide. She has brought the music of Ethiopia to wider recognition and developed it in combination with a wide variety of other genres often in collaboration with her husband Bill Laswell, a bassist and producer.

       Gigi was born and raised in Chagni in northwestern Ethiopia. She has described learning traditional songs from an Ethiopian Orthodox priest in the family home. She lived in Kenya for a few years before moving to San Francisco in about 1998.

       Gigi recorded two albums for the expatriate Ethiopian community, but it was her 2001 album, titled simply Gigi, that brought her widespread attention. She had been noticed by Palm Pictures owner Chris Blackwell, who had years earlier introduced reggae to the mainstream through his former label, Island Records. Blackwell and Gigi's producer (and later, husband) Bill Laswell, decided to use American jazz musicians (including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders, and others) to accompany Gigi on the album.

      The result was a fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds. The album was a critical success internationally and generated controversy in her home country for such a radical break with Ethiopian popular music. This release was soon followed by Illuminated Audio, an ambient dub style remix of the album by Laswell.

      2003 saw the release of Zion Roots, under the band name Abyssinia Infinite. Bill Laswell played guitar and keyboard (instead of his usual bass), and several of Gigi's family members contributed vocals. The album was a return to a mainly acoustic sound for Gigi, incorporating instruments such as the krar and the tabla. The track "Gole" is in Agaw, the language of Gigi's father's village.

    Gigi is married to her producer Bill Laswell, and they have a son, Aman, who has accompanied his parents with vocals. Her younger sister, singer Tigist Shibabaw, died under unknown circumstances in 2008.

Gigi - Gud Fella

Gigi - Vocals
Bill Laswell - Producer, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
Abonesh Adenew, Dawit Melesse, Hebest Tirunehe, Imani Uzuri, Mizanekristos Yohannes, Tigist Shibabaw - Backing Vocals
Thomas Gobena - Bass
Hamid Drake, Mikias Abebayehu - Drums, Percussion
Karsh Kale - Drums, Tabla, Keyboards
Mark Taylor - French Horn
David Gilmore, Nicky Skopelitis, Zakki Jewad - Guitar
Abegasu Shiota, Amina Claudine Myers, Dereje Mekonnen, Herbie Hancock - Keyboards
Abdou M'Boup, Aiyb Dieng, Melaku Gelaw, Setegne Satenaw - Percussion
Henry Threadgill, Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter - Saxophone
Art Baron - Trombone- Accordion






01. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Gud Fella (5:35)
02. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Mengeoegna (5:33)
03. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Tew Ante Sew (4:20)
04. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Abay (5:18)
05. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Bale Washintu (5:35)
06. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Guramayle (4:27)
07. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Sew Argen (5:16)
08. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Aynama (5:05)
09. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Kahn (3:47)
10. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Zomaye (4:00)
11. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Abet Wubet (4:07)
12. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Nafeken (5:23)
13. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Adwa (5:02)

Nebiyu T. Kebede - Rhythm of Life [2005] [ethiopia]

                                                          R E U P L O A D  

       Nebiyu T. Kebede started playing keyboard at the tender age of 10. Growing up in Italy during the 80s where MTV was just starting to influence young kids, he and his brothers were strongly drawn to the music scene. Once back in Ethiopia, his interest in music further developed when his brothers started playing for their school bands. Looking at the interest that the brothers had in music, except his sister Liya Kebede which was interested in modeling, his parents bought them a keyboard. 

       With a gift for playing music by ear, he quickly taught himself how to play everyone's favorite tunes, including Tizita and the instrumentals that used to play on Ethiopian Television. Even though his brothers (Samson Kebede and Ermias Kebede) used to play for their high school's band at St. Joseph, he never went the route of the performer but kept his interest at home.

      Later on in college he discovered his ability to write melodies while spending long hours at the school's recording studio. To balance off the demanding studying required pursuing a degree in computer science, he spent many hours in the recording studio learning the art of arrangement and the science of recording music as well. Since then, he built his own recording studio and production company called Rhythm And Soul productions - all while maintaining his day job as a software consultant.

        After college, the passion for writing continued and Berhane Nesh was the first single released at the Ethiopian Soccer Tournament in 2000. Following the good reception from the single, his first album Mood Swings / Ye Simet Kana was released in 2001. It was sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines and sold aboard their flight for 4 years consecutively until the release of the new album Rhythm Of Life / Tirita which replaced it. 

     During the years, his interest in guitar and bass grew as well. From his collaborations with Abera Alemu (guitar) and his brother Ermias Kebede (bass), both from Abogida band, he witnessed the flavor the two instruments added to his Mood Swings album. Since then he has started practicing guitar and bass to a point where he recorded guitar tracks on his new Rhythm of Life album and on other CDs he produced for other artists, like Danny Gofferae and Neway Afe.

      He is currently working on his third album as well as producing other artists as his demand for  his musical touch grows...

Hirut Bekele - Hirut Bekele with Roha Band [ethiopia]

Hirut Bekele- Gudaye

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 01 - Gudaye [ጐዳዬ] (7:10)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 02 - Lebe feseselet [ልቤ ፈሠሠለት] (4:55)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 03 - Hode Shefetebegn [ሆዴ ሸፋተብኝ] (6:16)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 04 - Yawqehut Ahun New [ያውቅሁት አሁን ነው] (5:19)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 05 - Ayaschelen [አያስችለን] (5:34)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 06 - Yeqirta [ይቅርታ] (3:27)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 07 - Yezehe Ezoralehu [ይዤው እዞራለሁ] (6:18)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 08 - Menew Akale [ምነው አካሌ] (7:35)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 09 - Engedaye Neh [እንግዳዬ ነህ] (5:25)

Hirut Bekele [ሂሩት በቀለ] - 10 - Addis Abeba New Betu [ኣዲስ ኣበባ ነው ቤቱ] (7:10)

Alemayehu Eshete - Yefeker Kal Vol.8 [1997] [ethiopia]

           Alemayehu Eshete (Amharic: ዓለማየሁ እሸቴ?) (also written Alèmayèhu Eshèté in French) is an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer active since the 1960s who primarily sings in Amharic. Eshete's talent was recognized by colonel Rètta Dèmèqè who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa's famous Police Orchestra. Eshete had his first hit ("Seul") in 1961 before moving on to found the orchestra Alèm-Girma Band with Girma Bèyènè. Over the course of 15 years, Eshete released some 30 singles until the arrival of the communist Derg junta, which forced Eshete and many other artists into exile.

      Alemayehu Eshete has since gained fame in Europe and the Americas with the release of Buda Musique's Ethiopiques series of compilations on compact disc. Ethiopiques Volume 9 is devoted entirely to recordings of Eshete's earlier music, and Volume 22 covers his career between 1972 and 1974. Other songs have also appeared on Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13 or the series. In 2008 Eshete toured the United States with fellow Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed, backed by Boston's 10-piece Either/Orchestra.

Alemayehu Eshete & Badume's Band - Yeweyn Haregitu / Feleqleqe

         Alemayehu Eshete is one of the living legends of modern Ethiopian popular culture and one of the outstanding Ethiopian vocalists who emerged during the golden age of Ethiopian popular culture in the turbulent 1960s. Alongside Mahmoud Ahmed (who opened last year's Hullegeb Festival), Tilahun Gessesse and Bizunesh Bekele, he was among the first to adopt elements from rock-n-roll and American soul, including body movements, dance and hair styles, eventually coming to be known as "the James Brown of Addis." In the following years Eshete released over 30 albums that became enormous hits in Ethiopia and led various orchestras, including the famous Police Orchestra and groups that he himself established.

    Following the rise of the military junta, like many other artists, Eshete left Ethiopia and established himself in Europe and the US as a vibrant and exciting vocalist, including performances alongside Ahmed. The highly regarded Ethiopiques series devoted two albums to his works, the first focusing upon his earlier works and the second, upon his career during the early 1970s.

Alemayehu Eshete - 01 - Yemewded Kal (4:57)

Alemayehu Eshete - 02 - Hello Hello Bil (4:52)

Alemayehu Eshete - 03 - Kurate Nesh (6:17)

Alemayehu Eshete - 04 - Sesete Nesh (5:09)

Alemayehu Eshete - 05 - Mignote (6:22)

Alemayehu Eshete - 06 - Tsebay (5:26)

Alemayehu Eshete - 07 - Shalala (5:03)

Alemayehu Eshete - 08 - Ande Negne (6:54)

Alemayehu Eshete - 09 - Wey Nedo (5:28)

Alemayehu Eshete - 10 - Yene Gela (5:51)

v.a. - ethio jazz compilation [2012] [ethiopia]

                             
   R E U P L O A D   

       


       One of my first compilations made for this blog. Brief introduction to the beginings of ethiopian jazz music, with some newer authors.

         Enjoy and comment!

1. Mulatu Astatke - Maskaram Setaba (1:47)
2. Teshome Mitiku - Yekrmo Sew (4:18)
3. Tesfa Maryam Kidane - Heywete (5:16)
4. Bahta Gebre-Heywet - Ewnet Yet Lagegnesh (2:47)
5. Charles Sutton quartet - Uuta ayaskefam  (5:40)
6. Girma Beyene - Set Alamenem  (5:28)

7. Sax Summit - Feker ende sekuar  (8:18)
8. Addis Acoustic Project - Selam Yihoun Lehoulachin (4:43)
9. Mulatu Astatke - Netsanet (5:35)
10. Arat Kilo - Get a Chew (4:48)
11. Akalé Wubé - Ragalé (5:10)
12. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Selam Temagwet (5:36)

13. Debo Band - Akale Wube [trad.] (4:53)
14. Asmara All Stars - Bloom Brothers Mood (6:36)
15. Tesfa Mariam Kidane - Victim of Famine (4:35)
16. Girma Wolde Michael - Loga [Nesh Loga] (6:23)
17. Daniel W/Gabriel - Befikirish Meyaze (6:10)
18. Abiyou Solomon - Munane Agew (5:54)

19. Nebiyu T. Kebede - Groovy (3:46)
20. Ethio Band - Ethiopian melody (7:29)
21. Theodros Mitiku - Teddy's Mood (6:29)
22. Moges Habte - Alchalkum (6:17)
23. Yared Tefera - Anchi Hoyew Lene (6:01)
24. Tilaye Gebre - Yenigat Kokeb/Yelelit Berehane (9:31)

Kiros Alemayehu - Best of Kiros Alemayehu [2007] [ethiopia]

       Kiros Alemayehu (Ge'ez: ኪሮስ ዓለማየሁ)(1948–1994) was an Ethiopian Tigrigna singer. He was born in Tigray region, Saesi Tsaedaemba and was the only child to his parents.

       Kiros was born to his father Girazmach Alemayehu Meles and Mrs. Qeleb Gebremeskel in the eastern part of Tigray region, in a village known as Saesi Tsaedaemba in 1948 (1940 EC). He went to school in the nearby city of Wukro and then joined Atse Yohannes High School in Mekelle.

Kiros Alemayehu - Aymenekuwan

       Kiros was a prolific song writer and singer. He popularized Tigrigna songs through his albums to the non-Tigrinya speaking Ethiopians. Before joining Ras Theatre in 1975E.C (circa 1982-1983) where he published his first Album, Kiros had worked as assistant trainer of Tigray Musical Troupe (ትግራይ ኪነት). Some of his songs include "Anguay fisis", "Fililiy","Selam Hawa", "Suwur Fikri" "Adey Mekele". Kiros along with other musicians had played in Libya and other middle eastern countries. A memorial library is under construction in Wukro near his birthplace.

Kiros died from intestinal complications in 1994.

Kiros Alemayehu - 01. Selam Hawa (5:38)

Kiros Alemayehu - 02. Anchb Taerif (7:32)

Kiros Alemayehu - 03. Mase (7:08)

Kiros Alemayehu - 04. Sebdeyeley (6:34)

Kiros Alemayehu - 05. Zeyettsgib Fikrie (4:51)

Kiros Alemayehu - 06. Baeley Kmaleaki (6:36)

Kiros Alemayehu - 07. Filieyiliey (5:00)

Kiros Alemayehu - 08. Megalewa (5:30)

Kiros Alemayehu - 09. Gezana (5:52)

Kiros Alemayehu - 10. Ayekungina (6:41)

Kiros Alemayehu - 11. Lewey Lewey (4:21)

Kiros Alemayehu - 12. Zeyieresaekinie (4:30)

Kiros Alemayehu - 13. Siwir Fikirie (4:55)

Kiros Alemayehu - 14. Meseretu Selam Eyu (3:01)

Yeshimebet Dubale - unknown album [ethiopia]

Yeshemebet Dubale - Tiz Alegn

Yeshimebet Dubale - 01 - Menew [ምነው] (5:20)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 02 - Ateshfetebte [አትሽፍትበት] (5:57)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 03 - Hakime [ሐኪሜ] (6:05)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 04 - Men belehegn Nebere [ምን ብለኸኝ ነበር] (6:51)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 05 - Yekere [ይቅር] (6:16)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 06 - Yeshalale [ይሻላል] (4:46)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 07 - Bamarlegn [ባማረልኝ] (4:36)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 08 - Ateketatelegn [አትከታተልኝ] (7:17)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 09 - Yante Yalehe [ያንተ ያለህ] (4:59)

Yeshimebet Dubale - 10 - Eresaw [እርሳው] (6:10)

v.a. - Oromo Guitar Songs [ethiopia]

Abitew Kebede - Ijaan Nalaalte [በአይኗ አይታኝ]

        Poor rip of 7 folders containing some of the famous Oromo guitar players and singers, such as Abitew Kebede, Adem Harun, Kedir Said, Abdullahi Jirma, Abdi Qophee and many other.

Abitew Kebede

Adem Harun and  Kedir Said 

Yishak Banjaw - Love Songs Vol. 7 [ethiopia]

       Yishak Banjaw, composer and keyboard player from Addis Ababa known to his country for his innovative compositions and unique sound. His ability to transform traditional Ethiopian songs into spacey Minimal-Wave gems creates an ultra hypnotic and psychedelic atmosphere, a sound that you have never experienced before. A genuine talent who carried the long tradition of Ethiopia into another level..

Yishak Banjaw - Gonder

Yishak Banjaw - 01 - Amalele (7:38)

Yishak Banjaw - 02 - Sadule (5:52)

Yishak Banjaw - 03 - Gonder (5:40)

Yishak Banjaw - 04 - Yene Hasab (6:34)

Yishak Banjaw - 05 - Tegregna (10:29)

Yishak Banjaw - 06 - Abaye Molalesh (6:43)

Yishak Banjaw - 07 - Bertukane (7:25)

Yishak Banjaw - 08 - Sudan (5:42)

Yishak Banjaw - 09 - Askeregn Neger (5:00)

Yishak Banjaw - 10 - Eyewat (8:44)

Yishak Banjaw - 11 - Muna (6:57)

Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - [1980] - album [ethiopia]

Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - Seleyneh Mended [ሲለየኝ መንደድ]

Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - A 1 - Seleyneh Mended [ሲለየኝ መንደድ] (6:21)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - A 2 - Yene Alem [የኔ አለም] (5:16)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - A 3 - Dehena Hun [ደህና ሁን] (5:15)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - A 4 - Shegeye [ሸግዬ] (5:25)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - A 5 - Begofereh [በጐፈሬህ] (3:52)


Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - B 1 - Lebehen Atahut [ልብህን አጣሁት] (5:10)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - B 2 - Bene Alemetenkak [በኔ አለመጠንቀቅ] (5:58)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - B 3 - Tizeta [ትዝታ] (4:51)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - B 4 - Ereke Andenew [አርቅ አንደነው] (6:56)
Hirut Bekele ሂሩት በቀለ - B 5 - Yenew Tesefa [የነው ተስፋ] (3:35)