Anbessa Orchestra - Negestat [2018] [usa+eth]

       Anbessa Orchestra is a 7 piece band based in Brooklyn NY that draws its inspiration from the diverse musical culture of Ethiopia, combining these unique sounds with the more western sounds of Funk, Jazz, R&B and Rock. The band has been a prominent figure on the NY scene and has played alongside legendary Ethiopian keyboardist and composer Hailu Mergia. The band has also been featured on the "Beyond Addis Vol.2" compilation featuring new music inspired by Ethiopia.

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"No one does Ethio-Jazz quite like Anbessa Orchestra" - Popmatters.com

Anbessa Orchestra Live at National Sawdust - LIONS

     In the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, during the 1960’s and ‘70s, the sounds of American jazz and James Brown-style funk rocketed through the clubs there, combining with Ethiopia’s own exotic scales to produce the golden age of Ethiopian pop. The New York-based 7-piece band Anbessa Orchestra draws from this era and aims to take the listener on a musical journey from Addis Ababa to Brooklyn, with the loping grooves, buoyant brass lines, moody organ, crisp guitars, and solid percussion. Their new album is called "Negastat", which means “Kings” and it is full of Ethiopian-style, horn-heavy funk. 

Anbessa Orchestra - 01 - Negestat (Kings) (5:59)

Anbessa Orchestra - 02 - Gurage (3:42)

Anbessa Orchestra - 03 - Gize Suite (6:16)

Anbessa Orchestra - 04 - Get'err (Village) (4:47)

Anbessa Orchestra - 05 - K'edema (City) (2:35)

Anbessa Orchestra - 06 - Yeleleu Hager Lidl (Son of No Country) (6:00)

Anbessa Orchestra - 07 - T'sahai (Sun) (3:29)

Anbessa Orchestra - 08 - Gurage *Single (3:42)

Yishak Banjaw - Ambassel Tewesta Instrumental, Vol. 9 [2017] [ethiopia]

Yishak Banjaw - 01 - Yeshebel & Deneyew (6:51)

Yishak Banjaw - 02 - Aweyegn & Yileyelet & Welebe & Tsegrwa Werdo (9:58)

Yishak Banjaw - 03 - Kotu Malo (6:05)

Yishak Banjaw - 04 - Lomi Tera & Molalesh (9:46)

Yishak Banjaw - 05 - Humera (7:33)

Yishak Banjaw - 06 - Aya Belew (9:12)

Yishak Banjaw - 07 - Seberta (7:16)

Yishak Banjaw - 08 - Akal Gela & Lebo Ney (7:37)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - Teddy Mak 2002 [2002] [ethiopia]

Teddy Mak - Truth

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 01 - Fikir (6:18)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 02 - Baigermish (6:24)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 03 - Meskerem (6:12)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 04 - Teyim (7:58)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 05 - Hagere (4:58)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 06 - Mejemeria (4:47)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 07 - Eyut sikora (5:35)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 08 - Wolela (6:05)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 09 - Lijinet (4:16)

Teodros Teddy Makonnen - 10 - Zimita (4:23)

Moges Habte - Kebena Godana [1999] [ethiopia]

     



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         Moges Habte was member of the school band at the Kokebe Tsbah Haile Sellasie primary school. He later joined the St.Yared Music School and studied music. He used to play saxophone at the Zula night club. Moges and his friends later set up the Walias Band, which regularly played at the Hilton and Wabe Shebele hotel. Moges had a big role in the production of Hailu Mergia’s instrumental. He as well toured America with the Walias Band in 1980 and never came back. He established himself in America and besides accompanying famous singers. Moges had released albums of instrumental music.

       Moges Habte's talent is well known to many avid listeners of Ethio Jazz. For those who may not know, however, Moges is an amazing saxophone player whose musical roots date back to the fourth grade at Kokebe Tsibah Haile Selassie Day School and the Yared School of Music. After studying music for years and performing in some of Ethiopia's best marching bands, Moges began playing in nightclubs. 

     In the 1970s, Moges and other musicians formed the Walias Band -- a group whose music is highly sought after by music collectors 30 years later! (One Walias LP sold for US$120 a few years ago!!!) In "Kalen Alatefewm," a hit originally popularized by Mulatu Astatke and Teshome Mitiku, Moges seduces and hypnotizes you with his saxophone -- seamlessly blending Ethiopian melodies with jazz elements to create what I believe is a masterpiece! The percussion by Mikias Abebayehu perfectly reinforces Moges' playing while showing restraint so as to not overwhelm either Moges or keyboard playing by Brihane Kidan. 

     I can guarantee you will not be disappointed!!! Moges' interpretation of "Musicawe Silt," a timeless composition by Girma Beyene and made famous by the Walias Band, is amazing for what it is and for what it is not. Once again, Moges' saxophone playing is phenomenal!!! The Ethiopian melodies are given an update -- the playing is less funky and much more.

Moges Habte - 01 - Kisseh New Wodajeh (7:32)

Moges Habte - 02 - Kalen Alatfewem (5:58)

Moges Habte - 03 - Musicawe Silt (6:00)

Moges Habte - 04 - Kebena Godana (7:36)

Moges Habte - 05 - Alchalkum (6:17)

Moges Habte - 06 - Sewenetua (5:49)

Moges Habte - 07 - Walias Groove (6:41)

Moges Habte - 08 - Anchen Messay Konjo (7:48)

Nega Addisu - Ambassel Tewesta Instrumental Vol 6 [2017] [ethiopia]

Ambassel

Nega Addisu - 01 - Guramayle (6:37)

Nega Addisu - 02 - Esele (7:31)

Nega Addisu - 03 - Selamu (4:15)

Nega Addisu - 04 - Gumaye (6:39)

Nega Addisu - 05 - Mejemeriya Fikri (4:58)

Nega Addisu - 06 - Segemeye (5:47)

Nega Addisu - 07 - Leminey (6:38)

Nega Addisu - 08 - Meley (7:31)

Nega Addisu - 09 - Saba Sabina (6:00)

Nega Addisu - 10 - Bekutaki (5:44)

Nega Addisu - 11 - Keren Tse'ada (5:47)

Hailu Mergia - Instrumental Music [1983] [ethiopia]

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           Instrumental album of Hailu Mergia. These tracks came to me without tags, only with 1983 as year of release (ethiopian or western calendar, I dont know).

Hailu Mergia - 01 - Hailu Mergia (8:29)

Hailu Mergia - 02 - Hailu Mergia (7:18)

Hailu Mergia - 03 - Hailu Mergia (6:40)

Hailu Mergia - 04 - Hailu Mergia (8:23)

Hailu Mergia - 05 - Hailu Mergia (8:36)

Hailu Mergia - 06 - Hailu Mergia (8:30)

Hailu Mergia - 07 - Hailu Mergia (6:54)

Hailu Mergia - 08 - Hailu Mergia (7:04)

Ompa Bompa - [2016] - Ethio Jazz Project [fra+eth]

       No more significant than the term "jazz" but funny and percussive, "Ompa Bompa" becomes the name of the formation after being the title of a piece. Inaugurated around the compositions of the pianist, Ompa Bompa was born in June 2001 with five musicians who, through this training, will exploit their taste for exploration and creation. This repertoire gives rise to a first disc: "Clap Mental" (2003).

    In 2004, Ompa Bompa revisits the music of Duke Ellington and creates the "Duke, Jungle" repertoire, on the occasion of "Jazz en scène" (federation of jazz scenes and improvised music). ". Two new instruments (trumpet and alto saxophone) add to the copper section. This repertoire marked an important shift in the style and play of the group.

    "To Our Dearly Beloved" was created in 2009. The compositions of this repertoire offer the listener a personal and original reading of the famous novel by Toni Morrison "Beloved". This project gave rise to many performances and a record (2011) which you can purchase on this site (cf homepage).

    The band has performed in several festivals (Rhino Jazz Festival, Charlie Jazz Festival, Les Jazzeries d'Hiver in Saint Etienne, Alphonse in Madness in Prissé, Festival du Haut Livradois, Jazz au Sommet, Jazz in Vienna, Jazz en Scène ...), theater productions (The Peristyle of Lyon Opera, Cavajazz in Viviers, Presles Inns, Médiathèque de Firminy, Jazz Club de Savoie, Le Périscope in Lyon, Moulin à Jazz in Vitrolles, Pax in Saint Etienne, Le Puy de la Lune in Clermont-Ferrand, the Hot Club of Lyon) or cultural seasons (Miramas, Saint-Victor on the Loire, Horme, Saint Quentin Fallavier ...)

Ompa Bompa - Zethions

The musicians: 

Julien Bertrand: trumpet, bugle
Ludovic Murat: alto saxophone, flute
Vincent Périer: tenor saxophone, clarinet
Franck Boyron: trombone
Emmanuel Déplaude: piano, keyboard
Julien Sarazin: bass
Olivier Génin: drums

Paulos Tadesse - Ethiomystic [2016] [ethiopia]

       Ethiomystic is a fusion of traditional and contemporary jazz, reggae and rock that makes you want to listen to it again and again. I tried to offer simplicity using just a few instruments. Yet, there’s a layered approach, with rhythm, melody, and harmonies that unlocks a unique, refined sound. - Paulos Tadesse

     Instrumental music situated at the crossroads of many of influences- traditional song, afro-beat, reggae, jazz and funk.

Paulos Tadesse - Hageray

Paulos Tadesse - 01. Hageray (4:20)

Paulos Tadesse - 02. Ethiomystic (4:13)

Paulos Tadesse - 03. The Lonely Road (3:38)

Paulos Tadesse - 04. Eyaleh Kalhone (5:00)

Paulos Tadesse - 05. Birtukane (6:22)

Paulos Tadesse - 06. Yezare Abebawoch (3:55)

Paulos Tadesse - 07. Ououta Ayaskefam (5:15)

Paulos Tadesse - 08. Freedom (5:16)

Paulos Tadesse - 09. Set Alamnem (4:34)

Paulos Tadesse - 10. Yeayne Tesfa (4:44)

Paulos Tadesse - 11. Astawesalew (5:21)

Paulos Tadesse - 12. Ethiomystic Dub (4:16)

Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu of Ethiopia [1972] [FLAC]

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        Mulatu Astatke might be most known to international audiences through his tracks on the excellent Ethiopiques CD anthology series of Ethiopian music. Long before those tracks were compiled for that series, however, he had an American release with this 1972 instrumental album, on which he's billed as "Mulatu of Ethiopia." 

   

       Like much of the best of the circa-early-'70s contemporary Ethiopian music on Ethiopiques, it's a fine, at times captivating blend of late-'60s American soul and jazz with Ethiopian music, resulting in something not quite comparable to anything else. 

     It is undeniably funky, with wah-wah guitar and organ aplenty. There's plenty of contemporary jazz in the arrangements, too, the sax runs sometimes showing the influence of the likes of John Coltrane. Yet there's a melancholy minor cast to the melodies that marks this off as something quite different, and the rhythms likewise have irregularities that are more African than American. The only major strike against the LP is its short running time, with the seven tracks adding up to a mere 26-and-a-half minutes or so.

get it in FLAC !!!

Dereje Mekonnen - Dereje Mekonen With Shebele Band [ethiopia]

                  Dereje Mekonnen began his career in the early 1980s as a keyboardist in the Ibex band, who accompanied the R&B singer Mahmoud Ahmed on three albums. He then founded the formation Dallol, a reggae band with whom he played in Chicago and accompanied Ziggy Marley on his albums Conscious Party (1988) and One Bright Day (1989), which were awarded the Grammy. 

              After numerous tours with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, he founded the band Gizzae in 1991, with whom he performed primarily in Chicago and the Midwest of the USA. He also worked with Ethiopian musicians such as Tilahun Gessesse and Ephrem Tamiru. He also produced the first album of Ejigayehu Shibabaw, One Ethiopia (1998). 

                     Dereje Mekonnen died at the age of 49.

Dereje DJ Makonnen - Alemen Zorialehu [ደረጄ መኮንን አለምን ዞሪያለሁ]

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 01 - Etitu Beredegn (6:13)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 02 - Yagere Lidje (6:34)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 03 - Selewebetu Sadenk (5:02)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 04 - Atawerulegn Lela (4:33)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 05 - Laley Laley (Tegregna (6:14)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 06 - Temar Lidje (5:49)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 07 -Emu Eadigere (Guragegna) (4:23)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 08 - Besebara Fole (6:23)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 09 - Shilela (3:52)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 10 - Hagerua Wasa Megera (4:43)

Dereje Mekonen with Shebele Band - 11 - Yaleselesea (Oromegna) (4:27)

Teodros Makonnen (with Mulatu Astatke) - Memories [2000] [ethiopia]

Teddy Mak - Wetatuan Lij

Teodros Makonnen - 01 - Japanwan Wedije (6:54)

Teodros Makonnen - 02 - Ere Min Yishalegneal (4:54)

Teodros Makonnen - 03 - Senibet (3:26)

Teodros Makonnen - 04 - Setihed Siketelat (3:04)

Teodros Makonnen - 05 - Temari Negne (3:45)

Teodros Makonnen - 06 - Ene Yalanchi Alnorem (4:11)

Teodros Makonnen - 07 - Anisiyada (4:49)

Teodros Makonnen - 08 - Tiz Alegne Yetintu (4:01)

Teodros Makonnen - 09 - Ououta Ayaskefam (2:37)

Teodros Makonnen - 10 - Alchalkum (3:42)

Teodros Makonnen - 11 - Ewedish Nebere (3:47)

Teodros Makonnen - 12 - Kifu Ayunkash (4:52)

Teodros Makonnen - 13 - Meleyayet Motnew (6:54)

Teodros Makonnen - 14 - Jazz (4:05)

Roha Band - Instrumental Music [ethiopia]

         This album was already posted on Awesome Tapes From Africa blog, but without tags. This is a different rip. Enjoy!

                                                                            

Roha Band - Instrumental Music

Roha Band - 01 - Kememot Aldenem (7:07)

Roha Band - 02 - Endegena, Yeshi Haregitu & Mekeran Bitchelew (4:34)

Roha Band - 03 - Hode Mela Mela (5:52)

Roha Band - 04 - Akale (4:43)

Roha Band - 05 - Lale Lale (Guragegna) (5:07)

Roha Band - 06 - NegaJiredu (Oromegna) (3:11)

Roha Band - 07 - Enetarek (5:19)

Roha Band - 08 - Tizita Garedew (8:56)

Roha Band - 09 - Eyekorekoregn (6:12)

Roha Band - 10 - Fikrey Telemeni (Tegregna) (5:08)

Roha Band - 11 - Haderegna (4:46)

Theodros Mitiku - Fiker Ayaregim [Instrumental] [2016] [ethiopia]

Theodros Mitiku - Awash

Theodros Mitiku - 01 - Enigenagnalen (6:33)
Theodros Mitiku - 02 - Balegariw (6:06)
Theodros Mitiku - 03 - Fiker Ayaregim (3:08)
Theodros Mitiku - 04 - Ene Weshetennew (7:36)
Theodros Mitiku - 05 - Ketesmamash (6:34)
Theodros Mitiku - 06 - Man Ende Enat (8:12)
Theodros Mitiku - 07 - Yeabay Wuha (6:49)
Theodros Mitiku - 08 - Eshiruru (6:07)
Theodros Mitiku - 09 - Tegegnetual (2:10)
Theodros Mitiku - 10 - Mushiraye (6:58)
Theodros Mitiku - 11 - Teshebere Hode (6:29)
Theodros Mitiku - 12 - Mewdeden Wodedcut (5:36)