The Lalibelas - The Lalibelas with Harry James Angus [2015] [aus+eth]

       The Lalibelas are led by bassist and composer Yoseph H. Bekele who arrived in Australia in 2012 from Ethiopia. He has toured internationally with leading East African musicians, including Aster Aweke, Samuel Yirga, Mahmoud Ahmed, and has been a mainstay of the Ethiopian music scene, having played bass and guitar with a huge variety of singers. 

     The Lalibelas bring together talented Australian and Ethiopian musicians, that perform Yoseph’s Ethio-Jazz and funk compositions. Yoseph developed a strong friendship with Harry James Angus through MAV’s Visible Music Mentoring Program in 2013 and are continuing to collaborate musically. 

Guitar - Adam Halliwell 

Saxophone - Solomon Sisay 

Drums - Zelalem Negatu 

Baritone Saxophone - Macks Dowling 

Harmonica - Chris Maunders

Bass - Yoseph Hailemariam 

Keyboard - Stephen Khlentzos 

Trumpet - Harry James Angus

       This recording captures the raw sound of The Lalibelas, created in a few short but high-energy hours full of improvisation, twists and turns, and no overdubs or turning back.

The Lalibelas with Harry James Angus - 1. Awdamet (4:40)

The Lalibelas with Harry James Angus - 2. That Song (4:51)

The Lalibelas with Harry James Angus - 3. Atamba Sil (7:26)

The Lalibelas with Harry James Angus - 4. Kendegena (5:48)

The Lalibelas with Harry James Angus - 5. Selam (8:32)

Daniel WoldeGebriel - Slow Tracks [2011] [ethiopia]

Daniel WoldeGebriel - Piano Improvisation

Daniel WoldeGebriel - 01 - Ambasel (8:03)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 02 - Kalien Atiybgne (5:03)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 03 - Gidyelem (4:36)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 04 - Endenie Sewinet (7:16)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 05 - Endemalselechat (6:09)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 06 - Betizita Kignit (5:53)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 07 - Kumetish Loganew (7:01)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 08 - Worashi Yata Fikir (6:32)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 09 - Tizita (8:42)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 10 - Melkam Wuleta (7:19)
Daniel WoldeGebriel - 11 - Tizitashe Zewetir (6:52)

Elias Negash - Various Singles [2014] [ethiopia]

       Elias Negash is an accomplished musician who has combined his Native Ethiopian music with his jazz education, and influences from the world music segment. He played through the seventies and became one of the pioneering figures to have brought Reggae and African music to the Bay Area with smash hit groups including Obeah, Axum, Caribbean All Stars and the Rastafarians. After moving to Los Angeles Elias worked on the Royal Princess Cruise ship out of South Hampton England for four months. He has also done sound track for Television Movie in titled Glitz and also preformed on a TV series Murder She Wrote. Elias has also traveled as a Solo pianist and with Magyk Band to Japan.

Elias Negash - Saba (Sheba)

     In addition to his role as a musician, Elias dedicates his time in multiple humanitarian efforts such as fundraising HIV Aids research and treatment, building schools and water-well in the rural areas of Ethiopia. Further, Elias is currently the president of Ethiopian Arts forum that strives to accomplish its objectives through the presentation of Ethiopian Music, Dance, Poetry, Drama and Visual Arts to the community.

    Elias has put out five solo CDs titled Love, Harrambe (lets pull together), Peace, Feel Like Dancin’ and his last CD titled “JAZZED UP”

Elias Negash - 01 - My Eyes Are Hungry / Aynoche Terabu (6:55)

Elias Negash - 02 - Miss Ethiopia (Ene Negn Bay Manesh) (6:03)

Elias Negash - 03 - Addis Ababa Bete (My Home Addis Ababa) (9:06)

Elias Negash - 04 - Ye Hare Shererit / Tezeta (6:34)

Elias Negash - 05 - Meskerem (Ethiopian New Year Song) (6:21)

Elias Negash - 06 - Be Bega (Summer Time) (5:30)

Elias Negash - 07 - Sunset Piano (4:53)

Elias Negash - 08 - Zemen (Era) (6:15)

Elias Negash - 09 - Tabia (Station) (7:03)

Elias Negash - 10 - Saba (Sheba) (6:42)

Elias Negash - 11 - Africa Unite (4:25)

Elias Negash - 12 - Summer Time (Be Bega) (4:28)

Elias Negash - 13 - Summer Time (4:28)

Elias Negash - 14 - Muziqawi Silt (6:32)

Alemseged Kebede - Nostalgia [feat. Teddy Mitty & Moges Habte] [Instrumental] [2016] [ethiopia]

    Alemseged Kebede (Electric Bass) has influenced most of the new generation of Ethiopian bass players.

   He first started playing professionally in the late 1970’s with famous singers such as: Tilahun Gessesse, Menilik Wosenachew , Muluken Melese, Aster Aweke and  with many more Ethiopian singers in recent memory. 

    After moving to Canada and later to the US, he started playing in local restaurants, and clubs. In addition to bass, he also plays drums and keyboards. 

       He has arranged  and produced more than 2 albums of his own and played bass almost on every Ethiopian singers music CD’s in recent times. Traveled allover the world and shared the stage with the great African bands like Manu Dibango, Hugh Masakela,  and Ellis Marsalis. Alemseged remains a first call musician for many artists, who need his soulful, funky bass lines to complement their music.

Feedel Band - Meskerem

       Feedel band’s original pentatonic melodies are repurposed with mutated instrumentation like 60s and 70s-era Ethiopian grooves played on congas, electric guitar, bass, saxophone, krar, mesenko, piano, organ, trombone and drums.

        The members of Feedel Band are all acclaimed musicians in their own right Feedel’s sax player Moges Habte can be heard performing the funky James Brown Band influenced cut “Muziqawi Silt” on Éthiopiques’ Volume 13 with his ’70s group the Walias Band. Their bass player Alemseged Kebede's groovy bass lines could be found in many of Aster Aweke and Tilahune Gessesse's music. Also in the band is Araya Woldemichael who is the founder of the band, composer, keyboardist and a producer. They will be joined by Mikias Abebayehu on drums/congas, Kaleb Temesgen on electric guitar, Kenneth Joseph on drums, Omar Little on trumpet, Minale Bezu on krar (stringed lyre)/vocal, Setegn Atenaw on mesenko/vocal, Feleke Hailu on alto sax, Thomas Young, Fasil Bezabeh and Almaz Getahun on traditional dances.

Alemseged Kebede - 01 - Behele new Bewne [በህልሜ ነው በውኔ] (6:52)
Alemseged Kebede - 02 - Kalatashew Akal [ካላጣሺው አካል] (4:40)
Alemseged Kebede - 03 - Enkwan kome [እንኳን ቆሜ] (6:01)
Alemseged Kebede - 04 - Alwedatem Yalkuwat [አልወዳትም ያልኳት] (5:30)
Alemseged Kebede - 05 - Awasa Langano [አዋሳ ላንጋኖ] (5:46)
Alemseged Kebede - 06 - Nigerigne Menew [ንገሪኝ ምነው] (5:59)
Alemseged Kebede - 07 - Gedam Yefeker Gedam [ገዳም የፍቅር ገዳም] (6:07)
Alemseged Kebede - 08 - Tole (Slow) [ቶሌ] (5:11)
Alemseged Kebede - 09 - Tole (Fast) [ቶሌ] (3:53)

Mulatu Astatke / Oscar Sulley - Mulah 2 / Uhuru Mash Up [Nephews of Phela remixes] [2005] FLAC

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

A / Mulatu Astatke - Mulah 2
B / Oscar Sulley - Uhuru Mash Up

         Ethiopian Mulatu Astatke's unique blend of jazz, funk and afrobeat has found its way into many peoples record collections recently since the three quality "Ethio Jazz" LPs were reissued on the L'Arome imprint, and further popularised when the "Modern Jazz Instrumentals" record was used as the soundtrack to the Jim Jarmusch film "Broken Flowers". 

        Even before all of that people were unwittingly hearing some of these killer breaks on Mo' Wax era breakbeat and triphop tracks, all this combined should be telling you - this is music of the highest quality!!!And what we've got here is a remix for the dancefloor that's gonna be a monster, an esteemed West London producer has brought the heaviest of broken beats to create an exquisite piece of broken beat Ethio funk fusion. 

         The b-side is an equally strong rework of Ghanian Oscar Sulley's "Bukom Mashie".

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)