Arat Kilo - AK [Ethiopic Jazz] [2009]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

Arat Kilo 

       Ethiopian jazz is a major branch of African music that comes from the bars of Addis Ababa and draws its influence from jazz and traditional Ethiopian music, azmari, Latin sounds and Anglo-American funk. Choosing to adapt this music in a contemporary and more urban style, Arat Kilo draws inspiration from rock music and the hypnotic sounds of dub. 

       Their show alternates compositions and standard Ethiopian arrangements (a beautiful meeting was held at RFI’s studio with Mulatu Astatké, the father of Ethiopian jazz)

       Ever since the Ethiopiques CD releases reminded the west about the extraordinary music that could be heard in Addis Ababa in the golden era of the 1960s and early 70s, there has been a flurry of very different fusion bands making use of Ethiopian influences, including this young French five-piece who take their name from an Addis monument. 

      They are good players who mix funky guitar with bass, drums and horns – brass was often a crucial ingredient in the Addis sound – and they have mastered the distinctive, at times Arabic-sounding Ethiopian style. All that's lacking is a sense of energy and fun, especially in their instrumental treatment of a piece by the country's best-loved singer, the late Tlahoun Gèssèssè. 

Fabien Girard - guitar, balafon 

Michael Havard - saxophones, flute 

Camille Floriot - trumpet, bugle, ney 

Samuel Hirsch - bass guitar, kalimba 

Arnold Turpin - drums, melodica 

TRACKLIST

1. Arat Kilo - Falaga (6:23)

2. Arat Kilo - Addis Polis (3:16)

3. Arat Kilo - Get a Chew (4:48)

4. Arat Kilo - Mètché Nèw (5:31)

5. Arat Kilo - Farenj Blues (8:01)

6. Arat Kilo - Yékatit (3:32)

Kegnete Mesele - VII - [Ethiopian Traditional Instrumental Music]

Kegnete Mesele - Le Le Le

Kegnete Mesele - 01 - Ererna Gedamu (8:31)

Kegnete Mesele - 02 - Shegiye Selitu (11:55)

Kegnete Mesele - 03 - Yeshrishri (5:32)

Kegnete Mesele - 04 - Ney Ney yagere lij (6:45)

Kegnete Mesele - 05 - Damay Anchin new (4:52)

Kegnete Mesele - 06 - Yager Fikir tizitaw (7:28)

Kegnete Mesele - 07 - Le Le Le (4:57)

Kegnete Mesele - 08 - Yalew gelel (4:43)

Kegnete Mesele - 09 - Ahay Lalay Lalay (5:46)

Kegnete Mesele - 10 - Weyin Abeba Nesh (7:35)

Kegnete Mesele - VI - [Ethiopian Traditional Instrumental Music]

Bati - Ethiopian Instrumental Music

Kegnete Mesele - 01 - Anchi Lidj (9:59)
Kegnete Mesele - 02 - Ethiopia (10:34)
Kegnete Mesele - 03 - Twar (3:58)
Kegnete Mesele - 04 - Ambassel (6:23)
Kegnete Mesele - 05 - Befekresh Men (11:16)
Kegnete Mesele - 06 - Woye Fikir (10:58)
Kegnete Mesele - 07 - Yehar Shireret (8:49)

Sunshine Music Band - Unknown Album [ethiopia]

       It's almost impossible to find any piece of information about this legendary ethiopian band in 1980's. 

Sunshine Music Band - 01 - Yene Hasab (5:12)

Sunshine Music Band - 02 - Yefikir Ketema (4:49)

Sunshine Music Band - 03 - Satwodegn Wodijat (5:24)

Sunshine Music Band - 04 - Guragigna (4:55)

Sunshine Music Band - 05 - Zemede (5:04)

Sunshine Music Band - 06 - Shegiye Shegiye (3:36)

Sunshine Music Band - 07 - Yeshi Haregitu (7:23)

Sunshine Music Band - 08 - Oromigna (4:17)

Sunshine Music Band - 09 - Bertukane (6:44)

Sunshine Music Band - 10 - Astawusalehu (3:53)

Sunshine Music Band - 11 - Engedih Jemeregn (6:57)

Sunshine Music Band :


Tadesse Biyadgu - piano, keyboards
Tamere Haregu - drums, keyboards
Aregahegn Werash - vocal,
Girma Tefera 
Ashebir Belay
Birehanu Reta

Qwanqwa - Live [November 6 2014] [2014] [ethiopia]

       Qwanqwa is an experimental rock and traditional band that plays beloved and rare Ethiopian tunes with a unique twist. At its core, is instrumental, the band believes that to reach the widest audience, a single singer can limit the effect. However, the list of guests and collaborations is long, including both beloved and famous singers such as Fikeraddis, Habte Michael, Amelmal Abate, as well as beloved Azmari singers Selamnesh Zemene and Etenesh Wassie. Not limited to only singers, Qwanqwa also has invited the virtuoso masinqo player Endris Hassen, washint player Johannes Aferwork, Dawit Frew, Ethiopia’s foremost clarinetist and many other treasures of traditional instrumentalists to join them.

Qwanqwa - Tizita (Live at Mulatu's African Jazz Village)

      Qwanqwa comprises four members: Mesele Asmamaw, kirar, has been a composer and arranger in Ethiopia for over 20 years. He has released many albums of his compositions as well as traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa. Dawit is a master of the bass kirar, his interests and experience have informed his unique sound which is at times funky, at times sentimental but always solid and appropriate. Sami, Qwanqwa’s rhythmic backbone, brings a young fresh enthusiasm to the group’s sound. He incorporates tambourine, bells and other homemade percussion to increase the variety of moods. Kaethe Hostetter, five-string electric violin, has been playing Ethiopian music for more than six years. She is a founding member of the critically acclaimed Debo Band, the first Ethiopian band based in the US.

Qwanqwa - Live November 6 2014 (62:45)

                                                                               143 MB (320 kbps)

Nebeyu Tesfaye - Enate [ethiopia]

Nebeyu Tesfaye - Tizita

Nebeyu Tesfaye - 01 - Medina (6:23)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 02 - Wede Harar Guzo (5:53)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 03 - Birtukane (8:38)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 04 - Tizita (6:29)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 05 - Yefeker Shemane (6:28)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 06 - Nunuye (5:20)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 07 - Tetintu Tiz Alegne (5:53)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 08 - Yagere Lidge (6:47)
Nebeyu Tesfaye - 09 - Yedenkal (5:06)

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)

Dereje Mekonnen - Tarik [ethiopia]

       Dereje Mekonnen began his career in the early 1980's as a keyboard player in the Ibex band, which accompanied the singer Mahmoud Ahmed on three albums. Then He founded the formation Dallol, a reggae band with which he concerted in Chicago. He also 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 band Gizzae in 1991, with which he appeared mainly in Chicago and the Midwest of the USA. He also worked with Ethiopian musicians like Tilahun Gessesse and Ephrem Tamiru. Dereje also produced the first album of Ejigayehu Shibabaw, One Ethiopia (1998). 

Dereje Makonnen died young, at the age of 49 years.

Ibex Band - Yezemed Yebada

       To most of his adoring fans that got close to knowing him by first name, he was just simply known to them as "DJ" and more importantly to his own family and ours, we called him Dereje. The 5th one down from a family of eleven (also his favorite chord progression...) and in my humble opinion: the most gifted keyboard player there is among Ethiopian Musicians. 

      Dereje "DJ" Makonnen was not one to drop names nor pre-occupy his time and energy with whom he has worked with and/or help bring them to stardom, he wanted to play music since he can actually see the blueprint of what the song should be each time the singer/artist bring the lyrics and the "Zema" (pronounced Zay_MAH: a word in amharic which means melody). 

     Dereje Makonnen was one of the key element in revolutionizing modern Ethiopian Music (meaning using non-traditional musical instruments) He was always playing the guitar [his favorite instrument] the keys and also the bass at the forefront of trying new sounds and arrangement styles that no one was attempting. Many of the current Ethiopian musicians refer to him as a mentor.

Dereje Mekonnen - 01 - Che belew (3:49)

Dereje Mekonnen - 02 - Anchi Hoye (5:28)

Dereje Mekonnen - 03 - Ethiopia (5:00)

Dereje Mekonnen - 04 - Yekermo sew (4:52)

Dereje Mekonnen - 05 - Mamaye (3:51)

Dereje Mekonnen - 06 - Yidenekal (5:16)

Dereje Mekonnen - 07 - Ambassel (4:18)

Dereje Mekonnen - 08 - Sileyat (4:21)

Dereje Mekonnen - 09 - Tarik (3:06)

Dereje Mekonnen - 10 - Eyuat sitinafikegn (4:52)

Jorga Mesfin - The Kind Ones: Degagochu [2008] [ethiopia]

       Jorga Mesfin is a self taught musician with influences that span the spirit and innovation of Jazz and the ancient and diverse sounds found in Ethiopian music. 

Wudasse - Ete Mate

    A professional performer since the age of 17, his career boasts appearances with Tsegaye Gebremedhin, Carolyn Beard Withlow, The Last Poets, Vijay Iyer, Wayna Wondossen, Kirk Whalum, Takana Miyamoto, Gizze Reggae band, Dionne Farris, Aster Aweke, Mahmoud Ahmed and Mulatu Astatke. 

     He is the founder of Ethio-jazz group Wudasse, and composed the score to Haile Gerima’s epic Ethiopian movie Teza, for which he won the award for Best Music Selection at the 22nd Carthage Film Festival and Best Composer Award at the 5th Dubai International Film Festival. As a saxophone and piano instructor, Jorga teaches at the at African Jazz School, Mekanisa Mekanyesys Music School and the Wusate Berhan Abere Music Training Center for the Visually Impaired.

Jorga Mesfin - 01 - Eretcha (Thanksgiving) (8:05)
Jorga Mesfin - 02 - The Portal (1:10)
Jorga Mesfin - 03 - Longing (7:50)
Jorga Mesfin - 04 - Pilgrimage (12:15)
Jorga Mesfin - 05 - The Kind Ones (12:57)
Jorga Mesfin - 06 - Tizita (11:42)
Jorga Mesfin - 07 - Spring Water (7:58)
Jorga Mesfin - 08 - Yeabay Gizo (6:18)

Melaku Tegegn - Classical Music [ethiopia]

Melaku Tegegn - Mela Tistegn

Melaku Tegegn - 01 - Alemush Mambo (6:50)
Melaku Tegegn - 02 - Kebetbata (6:31)
Melaku Tegegn - 03 - Tiztaye nesh (4:57)
Melaku Tegegn - 04 - Chelo malif tiru (3:57)
Melaku Tegegn - 05 - Endeanchi Alayehum (3:48)
Melaku Tegegn - 06 - Ayechewalew (4:04)
Melaku Tegegn - 07 - Bonbu Fikirsh (4:43)
Melaku Tegegn - 08 - Menew Teleyeshign (7:35)
Melaku Tegegn - 09 - Lebe Deg Yetenal (5:26)
Melaku Tegegn - 10 - Mela tisetiegn (5:23)
Melaku Tegegn - 11 - Yelebe Lay Esat (6:24)

Mesele Asmamaw - Ethiopian Traditional Songs (vol. 2) [ethiopia]

Mesele Asmamaw is one of the best ethiopian krar players. He has been playing in the Mohammed Jimmy Mohammed Trio touring Europe since 2004.  He is also member of Qwanqwa band.

Mesele Asmamaw - Minew ene, Sekota

Mesele Asmamaw - 01 - Minew ene, Sekota (8:29)
Mesele Asmamaw - 02 - Yehager fikir, Zeraf (7:27)
Mesele Asmamaw - 03 - Lele (4:53)
Mesele Asmamaw - 04 - Woin abeba, Tiz alegn (7:37)
Mesele Asmamaw - 05 - Damaye (4:49)
Mesele Asmamaw - 06 - Shegeye, Kemekem (11:02)
Mesele Asmamaw - 07 - Hailaloye (5:30)
Mesele Asmamaw - 08 - Yagere lij (6:43)
Mesele Asmamaw - 09 - Yashirishire (5:17)
Mesele Asmamaw - 10 - Yalew gelel (4:39)

Nebiyu T. Kebede - Mood Swings [2002] [ethiopia]

                        R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       The highlights of "Mood Swings" are its originality, smoothingness and musical variety: Ethiopian, jazz, reggae, African Soukous, ballads and more. Every song, as the title of the album insinuates, possesses its own mood. 

       The album's "Nostalgia" and "Visions of Love" account for a mellow mood, "Eskesta" and "Sweet Soukous" are upbeat songs, "Night Life" and "Urban Life" possess a jazzy groove and the romantic "Berhane Nesh" and "Hiwot" are more reflective. 

"Endegena Degmo" has received high popularity for it's traditional yet modern feel. The last song on the album "All My Love" is a dance music produced in collaboration with a young and talented singer Yolanda Davis.

Nebiyu T. Kebede - 01 - Nostalgia (5:26)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 02 - Berhane Nesh (5:02)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 03 - Endegena Degmo (4:39)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 04 - Hiwot (4:28)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 05 - Eskesta (4:26)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 06 - Night Groove (4:12)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 07 - Visions of Love (4:30)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 08 - Urban Life (4:03)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 09 - Sweet Soukous (3:40)
Nebiyu T. Kebede - 10 - All My Love (4:41)

Teshome Assegid - various songs [ethiopia]

Teshome Assegid - Yene Akal

Teshome Assegid - 01 - Yene Akal (6:50)

Teshome Assegid - 02 - Bishaan-Addis-Ababa (4:01)

Teshome Assegid - 03 - Wetatwa (4:16)

Teshome Assegid - 04 - Yekubaya Wetet (4:18)

Teshome Assegid - 05 - Shega Melelo (5:42)

Teshome Assegid - 06 - Instrumental 2 (5:18)

Teshome Assegid - 07 - Instrumental 3 (5:19)

Teshome Assegid - 08 - Instrumental 4 (5:41)

Teshome Assegid - 09 - Instrumental 5 (4:20)

Teshome Assegid - 10 - Instrumental 6 (5:35)

Teshome Assegid - 11 - Instrumental 7 (5:33)

Teshome Assegid - 12 - Instrumental 8 (8:00)

Teshome Assegid - 13 - Instrumental 9 (4:34)

Teshome Assegid - 14 - Instrumental 10 (5:26)

Teshome Assegid and Rahel Yohannes - 15 - Gelaye Nana (4:01)

Mathias Makonnen - Insma [2007] [ethiopia]

       Mathias  Makonnen started music at the age of 16 with his friends: Abegaz, Henock, Minassie, Mebratou and Abiy. 

      The late Genene Nebebe was the pioneer person in bringing Mathias into the Music world. 

     Teodros Desta soon after, offered Mathias to join the Sevans Band upon Mathias' Return from overseas studies. 

     In 1989, after migrating to the USA, Mathias was approached by legendary singer and song writer, Aster Aweke, to join her Band in Washington D.C. with Teodros Mitiku(Sax) and Mesfin GM(Bass). 

      Mathias continued backing Aster Aweke in the 1989 International Music Fest at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, hosted by David Sanborne. 

       Mathias still performs with legendary and upcoming singers world-wide.

Mathias Makonnen - 01 - Abeba Yehonsh (5:33)

Mathias Makonnen - 02 - Fekre Lemehonish (6:04)

Mathias Makonnen - 03 - Chiki Chiku Kerto (3:34)

Mathias Makonnen - 04 - Nuro Tesmamash Wey (5:42)

Mathias Makonnen - 05 - Temar Leje (4:57)

Mathias Makonnen - 06 - Mathi's Mood (4:55)

Mathias Makonnen - 07 - Qe'zebiye (7:41)

Mathias Makonnen - 08 - Zele'ssegna (5:01)

Mathias Makonnen - 09 - Atawrulegn Lela (3:46)

Mathias Makonnen - 10 - Bemen Sebebe Litlash (4:25)

Mathias Makonnen - 11 - E'leli (4:38)

Mathias Makonnen - 12 - Wellela (5:54)