Nazarenes - Rock Firm [2008] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D  

       The Nazarenes sound is a fresh and vibrant blend of Roots-Reggae with an array of melodies and savvy arrangements that are complimented by haunting vocals. The music is both spiritual and inspirational and carries a much-needed message of love, hope, pride and respect for one another.

       Their debut album "Orit" was released in 2001 by Insteel Sounds and the much anticipated second album "SONGS OF LIFE"  was released in Europe (autumn  2004) by Heartbeat/Rounder Europe. The album is also released in USA & Canada (summer 2005) by Heartbeat label.  

     Their music is a unique and powerful addition to the ever expanding Diaspora of reggae music as well as a stunning tribute to the talent and dedication of this duo.  

       Since the release of, Orit, Nazarenes has built up a solid reputation throughout Europe and have consequently developed large and devoted followings of fans.  The duo is especially well known in Europe and their unique talent has also gained them recognition in England, Canada, U.S.A. and the world wide reggae scene.  After the release of their first album, Nazarenes have been touring and performing at many of the larger festivals in Europe, such as, Summer Jam (Germany), Roskilde festival (Denmark), Oslo world music festival (Norway), Rototom Sunsplash (Italy) and Uppsala reggae festival (Sweden), to name few. Their powerful stage presence and extraordinary musical arrangements has won them the title of being one of "The most excellent, hypnotic and unforgettable" live act of every festival and concert in which they perform.

        Growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the mid 70´s among a large close-knit family, the two brother’s love of reggae distinguished them from their peers. Reggae was considered underground, not mainstream, and was not featured on the radio or played in the cafés and clubs that dotted the city.  Despite the scarcity and the lack of due promotion, the hypnotic rhythms and conscious message of the music engulfed the heart and soul of the entire Tewolde family. It was around this time that 12-year-old Medhane received his first guitar and began to scratch. The course of the Nazarenes was set.

       Over the years many precious experiences have been gained. In the 80´s, Medhane and Noah played with various bands in Europe (mainly Sweden and Germany) with Medhane on guitars and lead vocals and Noah on bass and back vocal.

       In the 90´s, Medhane teamed up with some well known Jamaican Reggae bands including Iqulah, Culture Knox and Mamma Booker (Bob Marley´s Mother!) for a European and African tour. 

       At this time, Noah took up lead singing and in 1992 he was discovered in Gothenburg, Sweden.  A solo record deal with Virgin Records followed along with the release of three singles, one of which became a big hit in Sweden. In 1994 Noah´s debut album was released through Virgin Records under the name Anbessa.

       In 1996, Medhane and Noah reunited their forces and engaged on a new venture, which encompassed their own style and vibe as well as their spiritual and conscious views of life. 

      The culmination of this partnership is the phenomenal Nazarenes, musical pioneers that are going forward to blaze a trail for a music that they have made their own. 

01 - Solid As A Rock 

02 - Same Shit 

03 - Don't Let Me Down 

04 - Roots 

05 - Let's Chill Down 

06 - Walking In The Rain 

07 - Crash Dem Wid Love 

08 - I Wanna Shout Loud 

09 - Your Time Is Up 

10 - Marvellous 

11 - Our World 

12 - We Stand Firm 

13 - Jungle

Mister Ott - Live at Bohemian Grove [2012] [aus+eth]

       Mister Ott is the alter ego of Matt Ottignon, Sydney based Kiwi saxophonist. In particular, Matt has a keen interest and involvement with the very unique sounds of Ethiopian music. It’s that unique mixture of traditional music with jazz and soul from the 50's and 60's that is the inspiration for Mister Ott - music that washes away the dust of everyday life and gives the soul room to breathe.

MISTER OTT - Gonder [composed by Matthew Ottignon]

     Live at Venue 505, 15th June 2013

Recorded live on Sep 2nd, 2012, at Sydney's underground Sunday music series at Bohemian Grove. 

This was the band's first performance, and features all covers of Ethiopian music. The band name became Mister Ott some time after the artwork was created for this recording.

released 09 February 2012 

01 - Mister Ott - Akale Wube (Getatchew Mekuria) (5:32)

02 - Mister Ott - Yekermo Set (Mulatu Astatke) (7:27)

03 - Mister Ott - Ye Woyen Haregitu (Alemayehu Eshete) (6:13)

04 - Mister Ott - Chik Chikka (Mulatu Astatke) (7:22)

05 - Mister Ott - Kulun Mankwalesh (Mulatu Astatke) (3:53)

06 - Mister Ott - Yekatit (Mulatu Astatke) (8:40)

07 - Mister Ott - Eywat Sentenafegagn (Getatchew Mekuria) (5:12)

08 - Mister Ott - Muziqawi Silt (Wallias Band) (5:42)

Matt Ottignon - tenor sax, flute 

Ellen Kirkwood - trumpet 

Mick Stuart - guitar 

Luke Dubber - keys 

Eden Ottignon - bass 

Dan Kenedy - drums 

Engineer - Mick Stuart (on his portable recording rig) 

Mystraw - Ethiobeats / part 1 DEMO [2014] [ethiopia+france]

originally posted here > __________

Discover the man: his name is William Bayakimissa.

       Driven by his relatives, he finally launches in a daring project. William presents the first part of Ethiobeats: substantive work, drawing on Ethiopian jazz samples (Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astake and other masters of the genre!). 

         Marvelous product from shoestring: iPod Touch first generation's hearts (It takes you to invest my guys if you read this). Although the project is still only a demo, it has strong arguments to make. The first track, fresh and rhythmic, introduced the album perfectly. It is composed by a dozen beats full of groove. By exploiting this rich resource of Ethiopian music, and successfully William offers us a varied program very attractive. The tracks keep coming one after the other and are not alike. In short, everything that we love.

        Ethiobeats is available at free prices. Do not hesitate to encourage, financially or verbally, the boy to buy some equipment. I think the iPod has been amortized by now.

01. Ethiobeat 01 - 02:05

02. Ethiobeat 02 - 01:57

03. Ethiobeat 03 - 02:58

04. Ethiobeat 04 - 01:47

05. Ethiobeat 05 - 02:01

06. Ethiobeat 06 - 02:33

07. Ethiobeat 07 - 02:02

08. Ethiobeat 08 - 02:13

09. Ethiobeat 09 - 03:01

10. Ethiobeat 10 - 02:28

11. Ethiobeat 11 - 02:12

12. Ethiobeat 12 - 02:40

13. Ethiobeat 13 - 02:55

14. Ethiobeat 14 - 03:08

Samson Kidane Band - [eritrea + germany]

Samson Kidane and Friends

       Samson Kidane, singer and songwriter from Eritrea, live in Cologne, Germany and  writes his songs on the krar, the national musical Instrument of Eritrea. This plucked instrument is similar to the ancient lyre European and West African kora harp. 

This rare instrument is played today only in the zones adjacent to the Nile countries of Africa, and the Arabian peninsula. 

With his music Samson Kidane miraculously combine his African roots with modern music styles such as hip-hop, reggae and rock. But still you can hear his songs with East African and Arabic influences. 

           Samson Kidane is as cosmopolitan who is looking for the unifying between cultures. He sings in Tigrinya, the outsider a melodious, musical language. The lyrics of his songs are influenced by his early life in a war-torn Eritrea, and deal critically with the situation of his homeland. 

       They also tell of depth and passion, love and religion. His band plays in a classic line: with guitar, bass, drums and percussion support the four musicians discreet and reserved the own music style.

01 - Samson Kidane Band - Celdi (3:24)

02 - Samson Kidane Band - Fithi (3:22)

03 - Samson Kidane Band - Mesiluni ich dachte (2:56)

04 - Samson Kidane Band - Natuju sein (3:56)

Samson Kidane - krar, singing 

Wolfgang Reinermann - guitar 

Peter Dickas - drums 

Miguel Diaz - bass

The Black Jesus Experience - Yeluinta [2010] [aus+ethiopia]

The Black Jesus Experience and Mulatu Astatke

       2010 release, a superb Funk/Hip-Hop album from the Australian band Black Jesus Experience - Yelluinta fuses an irresistible blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove. The rhymes and chimes of the band deliver the musical strength and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Jazz.

01 - The Black Jesus Experience - Arada (3:49)

02 - The Black Jesus Experience - Guraginya (4:18)

03 - The Black Jesus Experience - Don't Cry For The Fallen (4:41)

04 - The Black Jesus Experience - Yeluinta (5:05)

05 - The Black Jesus Experience - Lonnie's Lament-Dawitt Abatachew (5:15)

06 - The Black Jesus Experience - Let's Call Her (2:46)

07 - The Black Jesus Experience - Bohemia (5:38)

        Black Jesus Experience (BJX) is an 8 piece band playing an irresistibly danceable blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove. As diverse as the 5 continents the members of 'BJX' hail from, their music reflects the multicultural vibrancy of the band's hometown, Melbourne, Australia. 

       When not touring BJX run a weekly session at cultural hub The Horn where BJX create new songs live on stage. The comfort BJX has with this practice lies in the improvising traditions of that feed BJX including Hip Hop, Jazz, Azmari and Rutu Pa'u. 

        The music is also fed quite literally before each performance by the ritual of a group meal prepared by singer Enushu and MD Peter Harper in the Ethiopian tradition, "those who eat from the same plate will not betray each other". This inspires and reinforces bonds musical, social and spiritual, bonds BJX invite their audiences to join. 

      Enushu began entertaining her local community as a child in Addis Ababa. Forced to leave Ethiopia, Enushu migrated to Australia bringing hauntingly beautiful compositions inspired by her remarkable life story and the unique vocal traditions of Ethiopia. Enushu is joined on vocals by poetic giant and lyrical miracle The Monk, Zimbabwe born and Outback bred. 

     Highlights for BJX include two tours of "the Motherland" Ethiopia, performing with Ethiojazz legend Mulatu Astatke in Europe and Australia (an association which won BJX and Mulatu "The Age Best Tour" award) Glastonbury and other great festivals. 

    The rhymes and chimes of Black Jesus Experience deliver the power and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Funk.

members  :

Enushu Taye

Peter Harper

Ian Dixon

Liam Monkhouse

Chris Frangou

Matt Head

Zac Lister

The Black Jesus Experience - Arada/Brand New World [2011] [EP] [australia+ethiopia]

The Black Jesus Experience - Arada

       Black Jesus Experience is an 8-10 piece band playing an irresistibly danceable blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st century groove. With backgrounds as diverse as the 5 continents the members of 'BJX' hail from, their music reflects the multicultural vibrancy of the band's hometown, Melbourne, Australia.

         When not touring BJX run a weekly session at cultural hub The Horn where BJX create new songs live on stage. The comfort BJX has with this practice lies in the improvising traditions of that feed BJX including hip hop, jazz, azmari and rutu pa'u.

           The music is also fed quite literally before each performance by the ritual of a group meal prepared by singer Enushu and MD Peter Harper in the Ethiopian tradition, "those who eat from the same plate will not betray each other". This inspires and reinforces bonds musical, social and spiritual, bonds BJX invite their audiences to join.

         Enushu began entertaining her local community as a child in Addis Ababa. Forced to leave Ethiopia, Enushu migrated to Australia bringing hauntingly beautiful compositions inspired by her remarkable life story and the unique vocal traditions of Ethiopia. Enushu is joined on vocals by poetic giant and lyrical miracle The Monk, Zimbabwe born and Outback bred.

      Highlights for BJX include two tours of "the Motherland" Ethiopia, performing sellout shows with Ethiojazz legend Mulatu Astatke in Europe and Australia (an association which won BJX and Mulatu "The Age Best Tour" award) Glastonbury, Big Chill, City Of London Festival, WOMADdelaide, the Big Day Out, Golden Plains and Melbourne International Jazz Festival and supporting Tony Allen among other great festivals.

        The rhymes and chimes of Black Jesus Experience deliver the power and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Funk.

   Discography :    

Dark Light (2009)

Yeluinta (2010)

Migration (2014)

    band members are :    

Enushu Taye - vocals
Peter Harper - tenor saxophone, composer
Ian Dixon - trumpet, flugelhorn, composer
Liam Monkhouse - mc/vocal
Chris Frangou - electric bass
Matt Head - drums
Hue Blanes - keyboards
Nashua Lee - electric guitar

                 listen Black Jesus Experience live stream here                

Gabriel Teodros - GT's Ethiopium: A Jitter Generation Mixtape [2009] [usa+ethiopia]

Gabriel Teodros - Cycles

       Gabriel Teodros (born 1981), is a hip hop artist and a member of the groups Abyssinian Creole and CopperWire. He is of Ethiopian, Scottish, Irish and Native American descent,and was raised on Beacon Hill, Seattle, Washington. Teodros' music often features socially conscious themes, and he was a catalyst in the surge of dynamic underground rap acts from the Pacific Northwest during the first decade of the 2000s.

       Born and raised in Seattle, Washington to an Ethiopian mother and a father of Scottish, Irish and Native American descent. His parents met through anti-war organizing in the 1970s, and they split up around the time Gabriel was born. He stayed with his mother, where he met grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins as they first emigrated to the United States and all stayed in the same house.

His relationship with hip hop culture began at a young age within the South Seattle neighborhood of Beacon Hill. “A lot of kids in my neighborhood were affected by gang culture. And I kind of had a death wish. I felt like, at an early age, that I wasn’t going to live to 21” he said in an interview with Sheeko Magazine. He spent his high school years in Las Vegas, Nevada where as one out of approximately 30 students of color in a predominantly white school, something within him changed. “It was the first time I understood that there was a system in place that wanted kids like me to want to die. And understanding that in high school made me want to live.” he says in the same interview. 

The former breakdancer, graffiti writer and closet-emcee finally began to take his career path seriously at age 16, using hip hop to both understand and explain his world.

       In December 2009, Teodros released GT's Ethiopium: A Jitter Generation Mixtape. This release shined a light on the realities of Ethiopia, touched on America’s own imperfections & stressed the importance of exploring one's own intelligence and spirituality. It was made completely using instrumentals from Oh No's Ethiopium, which was made completely using old-school and rare samples of Ethiopian music.

Discography

   Albums   

Sun To A Recycled Soul - Gabriel Teodros (independent, 2001)

Sexy Beast - Abyssinian Creole (Khingz & Gabriel Teodros) (MADK/Pangea, 2005)

Westlake: Class of 1999 - Gabriel Teodros (independent, September 11, 2006)

Lovework - Gabriel Teodros (MassLine, 2007)

Crow Hill - Air 2 A Bird (Amos Miller & Gabriel Teodros) (independent, 2010)

Colored People's Time Machine - Gabriel Teodros (Fresh Chopped Beats/MADK Productions, 2012)

Earthbound - CopperWire (Meklit Hadero, Burntface & Gabriel Teodros) (Porto Franco Records,  2012)

Children Of The Dragon - Gabriel Teodros & AirMe (independent, 2014)

   EPs   

Sexy Beast - Abyssinian Creole (Khingz & Gabriel Teodros) (MADK/Pangea, 2005)

No Label - Gabriel Teodros (MassLine, 2007)

The Lentil Soup EP - Gabriel Teodros & DJ Ian Head (Everyday Beats, 2011)

   Mixtapes   

GT's Ethiopium: A Jitter Generation Mixtape - Gabriel Teodros (independent, 2009)

Rasselas [canada+ethiopia]

Rasselas

[Rasselas Alemayehu Asfaw, born 1982]

       Born in the land of heritage and culture, Rasselas has been fortunate to grow up familiarized with tradition. He was the only son out of three children. His father traveled very often on business. When he returned home from his business trips, he would always bring along many souvenirs from the country he has visited. 

Rasselas - Abesha Party

      Rasselas was most interested in the records that his father would bring. These records grew into a considerable collection of a variety of music from around the world. As a result, he was familiarized with many genres of music and he enjoyed all of them very much. Among the records he used to listen to as a child were The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and many other Ethiopian and African artists like Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, Ephraim Tamiru, Aster Aweke, Mariam Makeba. Some of his favorite Hip-Hop artists include Tupac, Snoop Dogg, KRS-One, Rakim.

       During his school years, he grew up exposed to different cultures and languages other than his mother tongue Amharic. He had the opportunity to learn English and French. In high school, he was known as the class musician, always entertaining his friends with a new rap verse he has learned. His English teacher was very impressed by his rap and often called him to the front of the class to demonstrate his art.

       In December of 1997, Rasselas moved to Canada with his family. They first landed in Montreal, where he had his first chance to record his independent album, Pure Science. He also joined a local Ethiopian band called the Tis Abay Band. They played in many community events, entertaining with traditional songs from Ethiopia. This gave him the idea of blending hip-hop with traditional Ethiopian music.

     Even though the band separated, Rasselas did not give up on his dream of making music. Since he is the type who is actually fueled by challenge, he worked very hard to make his dream come true. He moved to Toronto, where he became well known performing at the Ethiopian night club, then known as Cottage. At this club, he was able to sell-out his second independent CD, Here I Come, which included the title track, well accepted by his community.

    On his newly released album, Injera Music, he has teamed up with producer Gezahegn Mamo, a well-known producer and keyboardist in his community. Also featuring is many authentic Ethiopian traditional musicians who add a unique flavor to the Hip-Hop style of Rasselas.

1. Rasselas - Abesha Party (4:39)
2. Rasselas - Clap Your Handz (3:32)
3. Rasselas - Doro Wot (4:50)
4. Rasselas - Ride (4:31)
5. Rasselas - Tizita / Memories (4:11)

Adib Kadir - Harari Love + Harar Hop [ethiopia]

        Adib Kadir - Harari Love [2006]   

      

    Harari cultural music in a language that originated deep in the mountains of Ethiopia.

1. Adib Kadir - Gizmaanay (3:21)
2. Adib Kadir - Kamen Darar (4:55)
3. Adib Kadir - Ayanana (3:30)
4. Adib Kadir - Oreetay (5:03)
5. Adib Kadir - Ifatcheshakh (4:57)
6. Adib Kadir - Subti Orti (4:35)

      Adib Kadir - Harar Hop [2009]   

       A beautiful blend of Ethiopian Hip Hop & Reggae music. Album features Harari, Amharic, and English language vocals.

1. Adib Kadir - Yehunzal Yehunal (3:41)
2. Adib Kadir - Aruzay Aruzay (3:14)
3. Adib Kadir - Kahatay (3:48)
4. Adib Kadir - Iferkumaykh (3:59)
5. Adib Kadir - Baday (2:54)
6. Adib Kadir - Eye Lay (4:05)
7. Adib Kadir - Shungo (4:08)
8. Adib Kadir - Nay Nay Nay (4:32)
9. Adib Kadir - Atundoqing (5:35)

Nati Haile - Beka [2010] [ethiopia]

      Nati Haile is an Ethiopian artist who presides in Toronto, and is a famous and upcoming Ethiopian singer. His first single 'Ken Saymesh' was one of Ethiopian classic favourite songs by Tewodros Taddesse. 

     Nati gave it a new groove and made it even popular. His second single is the one that has made Nati a super star. The song was originally sang by Muluken Mellesse and Nati titled it 'Legenetuwa' and showed his amazing talent.

     His first album 'Let yinegal' was released in 2005 and has sold hunders of thousands of cds world wide. Before he released this album, he released two amazing songs. 

    His second album ' Beka' was released on July 31, 2010. The critics have given it good ratings and it is one of the "must have amharic cds of 2010". 

      Nati Haile is known to have a magnificent voice that has been compared to very popular artist like Muluken Mellesse and Tewodros Taddesse. His current album, according to Nati and his producers at Nahom Records, will have popular Ethiopian beats, Reggae, Blues and Hip-hop. 

     Nati has been working on his new album 'BEQA' for three years. He has been perfecting his skills as a singer and song-writer. As a tastement to his potential, all the songs in his new album have been written by himself. All the songs in his new album have been composed by talented artists from Ethiopia and abroad. 

     Nati Haile currently resides in Canada studying different types of music from across the world. 

    This what's said about he's up coming 3rd CD "I'm actually working on my 3rd CD Nati 

                 “now I’m in a very, very, very, very different place than I’ve     ever been It’s going to be a very interesting album, conceptually one of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on, just cause there’s so many new things going on in my life. I work hard trying to build my singing, and musical skills and I feel like I owe it to my fans and supporters to deliver the best music I ...  I'm ready and willing to work hard to bring you good music and take it to the next level all I can do is leave it in God's hands and I know he will help me he stated. ... I hope that my fans feel where I'm coming from. God Bless All…!!!" 

01. Nati Haile - Beka (5:49)
02. Nati Haile - Aselamaliku (5:32)
03. Nati Haile - Endet nesh (4:53)
04. Nati Haile - Enetarek (5:53)
05. Nati Haile - Be edel fanta (6:38)
06. Nati Haile - Asekatalehu (5:04)
07. Nati Haile - Telemegni (5:26)
08. Nati Haile - Konjo lej (3:41)
09. Nati Haile - Atamnem (5:28)
10. Nati Haile - Wub nat ye key dama (4:20)
11. Nati Haile - Belata (5:31)
12. Nati Haile - Temesgen malet new (5:04)
13. Nati Haile - Balawekush (6:31)