Martha Ketsela - Welo Mejen [2007] [ethiopia]

         She is a painter, a poet, a "flower designer," and, for a stake in life, a dutiful mother. But, in the main, Martha Ketsela is one of the very few female Ethiopian artists struggling for a breakthrough in her expertise in the United States. And, with all due respect to possible future commentaries by critics (we expect that to come in the future), she appears to have surfaced as an artist that even more makes her one of the very few to make things of their craft happen.

Martha Ketsela - Welo Mejen

        According to art watchers, in her current works Martha brings a refinement of what once was a roughly hewn skill. She now combines a schooling that blends an Ethiopian upbringing whose influence she highlights in her discourse as well as her art and a western libertarian mark that possibly might have resulted from her further training as an artist (and, of course, living) first in Germany and later in the United States. 

     Martha nevertheless says she remains first and foremost an Ethiopian. If we are to judge her by the works she presented at the WorldSpace lobby in Washington DC. some of Martha's paintings indeed subscribe to an Ethiopian spirit. Though very much gripped by what she has lived through since 1979 when she left Ethiopia, principally western landscape and western ideas and thoughts; she occasionally managed to probe into her Ethiopian beginnings. Some of her recent paintings such as "Music" and a few more manifest a mix of Ethiopian calligraphy (not new to Ethiopian artists in the Diaspora) and western tendency for abstraction.

Martha Ketsela - 01 - Tezeta (6:04)

Martha Ketsela - 02 - Hagere (4:57)

Martha Ketsela - 03 - Welo Mejen (6:18)

Martha Ketsela - 04 - Fegegta (6:00)

Martha Ketsela - 05 - Fekere (5:44)

Martha Ketsela - 06 - Musica (5:13)

Martha Ketsela - 07 - Geze (4:36)

Martha Ketsela - 08 - Zemeta (5:22)

Martha Ketsela - 09 - Audamet (4:38)

Martha Ketsela - 10 - Gebre (4:35)

Martha Ketsela - 11 - Egesegesalhu (4:42)

Amsale Mitkie - Abereregn [2010] [ethiopia]

Amsale Mitkie - Babajalew

Amsale Mitkie - 01. Megenbelo (5:50)
Amsale Mitkie - 02. Yizemelishal (7:05)
Amsale Mitkie - 03. Baybay (5:24)
Amsale Mitkie - 04. Abereregn (6:36)
Amsale Mitkie - 05. Yakem Yaleh (5:47)
Amsale Mitkie - 06. Lalo Bel (5:34)
Amsale Mitkie - 07. Alchalkum Lazare (5:10)
Amsale Mitkie - 08. Engeda Negn (5:11)
Amsale Mitkie - 09. Meshmonmon (4:53)
Amsale Mitkie - 10. Golual (5:05)
Amsale Mitkie - 11. Ayer Mengedachen (6:16)
Amsale Mitkie - 12. Babajalew (5:44)

Teshome Wolde - Achaye Melse [2003] [ethiopia]

             Teshome Wolde is born 8 September 1957, Shoa, Ethiopia. A soul singer in the style of Mahmoud Ahmed, Wolde first found success in the mid-70s with a series of acclaimed performances at the City Hall Theatre in Addis Ababa. In 1981 he released his first cassette in Ethiopia and he has subsequently released eight more for the local market. He has performed throughout Ethiopia and in neighbouring countries including Djibouti and Saudi Arabia. He has also toured in Europe and the USA. 

          His debut CD, The Ethiopian Soul Review, was recorded at a concert at the Rocket Hall in London in 1994, with backing supplied by the Ethio Stars. Released four years later it features a mixture of high-energy dance tunes and soulful ballads and resembles an intense North African version of the Memphis Soul Reviews of the 60s.

Teshome Wolde

            Teshome Wolde’s love of music took root at a very young age. Early on, he imitated popular artists such as Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed and Teshome Mitiku, singing their hits to his friends and family. A turning point came when the Soul Echos Band staged a live performance at his middle school; Teshome heard Alemayehu Eshete and Getachew Kassa sing and, at that moment, decided that music was his true calling. Against his parents’ advice, he left school to pursue his dream. After being tested by renowned music instructor and band conductor Nerses Nalbandian, Teshome was hired at the City Hall and has been performing there ever since. Eight years into his professional career, home entered the recording studio for the first time, along with the Dahlak Band, and has since recorded eight albums with a variety of bands, including the legendary Roha Band.

         Teshome’s career has afforded him the opportunity to travel worldwide, sharing his songs with music lovers across the globe. He participated in the 11th World Young Festival in Cuba and the 13th World Young Festival in North Korea and has performed concerts in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. One of his fondest memories is sharing the stage with the Ethio-Stars Band during the AIT-sponsored 1991 North American Tour.

Teshome Wolde - 01 - Achaye Melse (4:54)
Teshome Wolde - 02 - Yinager Fikir (5:33)
Teshome Wolde - 03 - Ye-Shewa Alemena (5:18)
Teshome Wolde - 04 - Tingirt (5:15)
Teshome Wolde - 05 - Yamiral Dem-Gibatish (5:13)
Teshome Wolde - 06 - Litishegnegn New Fikire (4:31)
Teshome Wolde - 07 - Wanchaye (6:35)
Teshome Wolde - 08 - Fikiriye Atleyign (5:32)
Teshome Wolde - 09 - Gura-Maile Sendesh (5:16)
Teshome Wolde - 10 - Ye-Gile Nat Yalkush (4:56)
Teshome Wolde - 11 - Kanchi Wodia Lene (3:42)
Teshome Wolde - 12 - Shertet Aletch (5:44)
Teshome Wolde - 13 - Hagere (4:12)
Teshome Wolde - 14 - Engida Mekebel (3:58)

Aklilu Seyum - Yachew Megednga [2013] [ethiopia]

Aklilu Seyum 

1954-2010

        Aklilu Seyum was one of the most talented singers and songwriters from Ethiopia. He has born 1954 in Gonder and started music career at the age of 18, by joining Police Orchestra.

        Aklilu Seyum was not lonely among a list of artists who succeeded and reached the public consciousness of modern Ethiopian music. He published  9 solo albums  and 1 collaboration album

         Aklilu left Ethiopia in 1990 and went to Israel.

        He died on saturday, 04/12/2010. after a long struggle that lasted four years as a result of cancer.

Aklilu Seyum - 01 - Ese Ney (5:05)
Aklilu Seyum - 02 - Yanchw Mengedemga (6:09)
Aklilu Seyum - 03 - Shtish Kangete (4:46)
Aklilu Seyum - 04 - Hememe Nesh (5:37)
Aklilu Seyum - 05 - Gedamye (5:11)
Aklilu Seyum - 06 - Alebngi Woleta (4:55)
Aklilu Seyum - 07 - Zeb Nesh Lene (4:56)
Aklilu Seyum - 08 - Hod Alchil Alengi (5:28)
Aklilu Seyum - 09 - Tizita New Sinku (5:12)
Aklilu Seyum - 10 - Dehna Hungi (6:00)

Sileshi Demissie [aka Gash Abera Molla] [erhiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

      Seleshe Damessae (also known as Sileshi Demissie and Gashe Abera Molla) is an extraordinary singer and musician from Ethiopia. He uses a complex vocal styling, sung in Amharic, his native language. He accompanies himself on the krar, a 6-string lyre which dates back to the ancient civilizations of the Nile.

Sileshi Demissie (aka Gash Abera Molla) - The Master of Kirar

     Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Seleshe Damessae began studying the krar at an early age with his father, and later attended the Yared School of Music. He spent nearly four years studying traditional Ethiopian culture in northern rural areas, and today is highly respected for his knowledge of the vocal and instrumental music of his native land. 

     Seleshe is also a skilled instrument maker who builds and plays a variety of folk instruments such as krars, fiddles, harps and drums. He has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Africa.

       Seleshe Damessae founded the Gash Abera Molla Association, upon returning to Addis Ababa after 20 years as a successful singer in the United States and decided to address the social and environmental problems that plagued his home city. He set up the new organization and named it after a character in his songs - Gashe Abera, the old man who takes care of his local community. 

       Sileshi Demisse is a master of his craft. He is a legend. What actually sets Sileshi apart from other artists is what is mainly lacking in the industry these days... An authenticity! 

       He is nothing like any artist you know. You can't compare his works to no one or say I've heard that somewhere. He is totally in a league of his own. Often accompanied by his kirar (a traditional string instrument), Sileshi plays melodious songs with lyrics that leave you astonished. In his live sets, he incorporates folk tales and stories that inspired the specific song. And as he start strumming his self made custom kirar, the audience is already all on board to take the journey with him and get lost in his music. This special way of interaction he has with his audience often leads to a sing along. You can't help it but to chant, clap or snap along even if you don't know the words. 

      Gash Abera is also one of the very rare artists who made an album for kids. 'Dankira', one of his children's song.

       Sileshi is not only known for his outstandingly unmatchable creativity but also for the positive impact he made in everyday lives of Ethiopians around the country. He does a phenomenal job in motivating the youth to keep their environment clean and helping tackle related health issues. In Ethiopia, the name 'Gash Abera Molla' is a synonym for 'Clean your neighborhood'. He has done almost the unthinkable in helping change the image of cities around Ethiopia. He inspired the youth around the country not only by teaching them the importance of a clean environment but also by participating in action. 

    Sileshi and his army of young Ethiopians were out picking up trash, cleaning up streets and setting up public parks where children and adults enjoy themselves. Places where people use as dumpster were turned into a green zone. Eventually, the mission grew from  being 'Gash Abera and the youth' to inspiring the entire community get involved. He had accomplished what the city municipals around the country couldn't even attempt. His mission of creating a cleaner and healthier environment is still an ongoing effort that every Ethiopian should support.  

   Although it has been a minute since he has released a new album, Sileshi has recorded several albums and collaborated with the big names in African music scene. Currently, he resides in Addis Abeba  where he performs and does features  occasionally.

  Sileshi Demissie / Gash Abera Molla - 16 tracks (69 minutes)  

v.a. - The Ethiopian Millennium Collection [CD 4 - Traditional] [2007] [ethiopia]

     The golden age of Ethiopian popular music (as heard on the fabled ETHIOPIQUES series) is famous in part for the sparsity of material that it yielded: The state-owned recording industry was largely a ramshackle government vanity, and while music of the music it captured was strikingly haunting, only a few dozen tracks were recorded in the 1960s and '70s... 

Shambel Belayneh - Yezenaye

       Since then, the floodgates have opened as Ethiopia has more or less entered the modern world -- more artists are making and recording more music than was dreamed possible back in the politically repressive "good old days," and the fruits of this renaissance are heard on this 6-CD set. 

      The tracks are from the late 1990s and early '00s -- the artists are generally younger, more modern musicians, although a few old-timers like Mahmoud Ahmed are still alive and kicking, and sound as cool as ever. Although this collection doesn't have the same eerie power as the '70s-era recordings, anyone who got into the ETHIOPIQUES discs will want to check this out as well, to see where the music has gone since then.

01 - Shambel Belayneh - Kalem Alemnew (7:47)

02 - Rahel Yohannes - Menelik (5:37)

03 - Woretaw Wubet - Tey Minew (7:30)

04 - Setegn Atanaw - Dejish Teselife (6:36)

05 - Berhane Haile - Ferait Weyni (3:38)

06 - Shambel Belayneh - Endennesh Endennesh (5:49)

07 - Woretaw Wubet - Ethiopia (5:50)

08 - Rahel Yohannes - Yiwedes Gonder (5:47)

09 - Setegn Atanaw - Gonder (7:40)

10 - Shambel Belayneh - Arheebu (6:17)

11 - Rahel Yohannes - Arada (6:24)

12 - Woretaw Wubet - Woy Dire (7:52)

Chalachew Ashenafi & Birtukan Dubale - Yebachl Mezekir [2011] [ethiopia]

Chalachew Ashenafi - Yabay Darwa

01 - Birtukan Dubale - Aynama (5:40)
02 - Chalachew Ashenafi - Akale (6:37)
03 - Chalachew Ashenafi & Birtukan Dubale - Tey Manesh (9:45)
04 - Birtukan Dubale - Anteye (5:25)
05 - Chalachew Ashenafi - Hyle Abeba (6:47)
06 - Birtukan Dubale - Dera New (4:14)
07 - Chalachew Ashenafi & Birtukan Dubale - Endet Neh (7:12)
08 - Chalachew Ashenafi - Ehehe (5:38)
09 - Chalachew Ashenafi - Shilela (8:25)

Fasil Demoz - Enqoqlish [2014] [ethiopia]

Fasil Demoz and Jacky Gosee - Enqoqlish [2014]

01 - Fasil Demoz - Enqoqlish (አንቆቅልሽ) [feat Jacky Gosee] (6:23)
02 - Fasil Demoz - Ere Gedaie (አረ ገዳይ) (6:32)
03 - Fasil Demoz - Chub Chub (ቸብ ቸብ) (5:34)
04 - Fasil Demoz - Himem Gela (ሀመም ገላ) (5:48)
05 - Fasil Demoz - Cher Niga (ቸር ንጋ) (7:59)
06 - Fasil Demoz - Anchiye (አንችዬ) (7:06)
07 - Fasil Demoz - Kelaie Kelaie (ከላይ ከላይ) (5:38)
08 - Fasil Demoz - Shashe Areferefech (ሻሼ አረፈረፈች) (6:34)
09 - Fasil Demoz - Endiyandiya Neber (እንዲያንዲያ ነበር) (6:15)

Shambel Belayneh - Arheebu [1999] [ethiopia]

       Shambel Belayneh  is a singer and master of the Masinko, the traditional one-string Ethiopian violin. He has performed with the greats of Ethiopian music, including Aster Aweke, Mahmoud Ahmed and the Roha Band, among many others. He currently lives in the United States.

      Arheebu, Shambel's seventh recording, is an attempt to blend traditional musical instruments (Masinko and Kirar) with western instrumentation.

Shambel Belayneh - Gonder

01 - Shambel Belayneh - Iyemetash Tegni (6:01)
02 - Shambel Belayneh - Arheebu (6:19)
03 - Shambel Belayneh - Ayiresam (5:03)
04 - Shambel Belayneh - Fetroshal (5:31)
05 - Shambel Belayneh - Nureelign Hagerë (7:06)
06 - Shambel Belayneh - Libesh Kabawin (6:57)
07 - Shambel Belayneh - Ye-Bët Emebët Nesh (6:09)
08 - Shambel Belayneh - Endashash Adirgign (4:52)
09 - Shambel Belayneh - Abekelesh Gonder (6:19)
10 - Shambel Belayneh - Weba Sew Cherese (5:40)

Maritu Legesse - Yebati Nigist [2007] [ethiopia]

01 - Maritu Legesse - Shemonmane (5:25)
02 - Maritu Legesse - Zerafewa (6:45)
03 - Maritu Legesse - Bati (5:13)
04 - Maritu Legesse - Tizita (6:46)
05 - Maritu Legesse - Zomawa (5:03)
06 - Maritu Legesse - Arada (6:26)
07 - Maritu Legesse - Akale Wube (5:00)
08 - Maritu Legesse - Wegene (4:54)
09 - Maritu Legesse - Weleba (4:35)
10 - Maritu Legesse - Beljigiye (8:34)
11 - Maritu Legesse - Ssekota (5:45)
12 - Maritu Legesse - Ambassel (7:25)
13 - Maritu Legesse - Maleda (5:26)

Yehunie Belay - Guzara [2007EC] [2014] [ethiopia]

      Yehunie Belay (Amharic: ይሁኔ በላይ, born December 9, 1961) is an Ethiopian singer, musical writer and entrepreneur. 

         At an early age, his exceptional musical talent got first exposure in the local kola Dega Damot regional talent group. It was in this group that Belay expanded his musical repertoire, learning among others, the unique styles of the Shankila ethnic group. In fact, Belay’s artistic talent was discovered at early age before he joined the Gojjam Gish Abay Cultural Group with whom he is famously known for.

       His first album, Yagere Lij Bal Game was a hit, but it was his second back-to-back hit album Ere Ney Gibe Gibe that earned him a spot among Ethiopia’s renowned folk singers. 

     Starting from his debut in 1987, Belay has risen to become a cultural ambassador of Ethiopia and Ethiopians performing to his fans throughout the world. In addition to his two single hit songs titled "Bahir Dar" released in 2013 and "Yegodelegne ale-Bezoro" that was released in 2011, Artist Yehunie has released six albums to his credit.

       Yehunie Belay was born to his Father Mr. Belay Melese, a farmer and a patriot of the people in the western part of the country known as Gojjam, and to his mother Mrs. Tadefalech Eneyew who was house wife raising taking care of three children including Yehunie. He started his early education in what is called Kes Temheret Bet attending from the age of four to seven. Then he joined Fenote Selame Kedamawe Haile Selassie Elementary School and further completed his secondary school in the year 1986 from Damote Comprehensive Secondary high school. Yehunie’s musical talent got its first exposure in the local kola Dega Damot regional talent group. In this group he expanded his musical repertoire, learning the unique signing & dancing styles of the Amhara, Benishangul gomez, Agaw and Oromo ethnicities. Artisit Yehunie’s musical richness at expressing the art of Ethiopia’s ethnicities is clearly displayed on his all- in-one unique song “Yangatom” that has a message of oneness and togetherness of all nations and nationalities. 

        Yehunie’s professional musical career started in the year 1986 when he was recruited into the Gojjam Gish Abay Cultural Group, a professional troupe that was touring Ethiopia throughout the 80's and 90's. It was after his very first televised performance of “Antuyewa” an authentic and original dramatic musical act that the name Yehunie Belay became a household trademark throughout the whole of Ethiopia. His success came as a result of hard work and strong dedication developed by mastering the art of music. To turn out and become as excellent exceptionally talented musician as he is now, Yehunie has to go through a refinement process through different stages beginning from Kebele (local) level, Woreda (district), Aweraja and finally to Kifle Hagre (state) level. 

       His first album “Yagere Lij Bale Game” a sensational hit, followed by his second back to back hit album “Ehe Na Na Hoy ena” and further release of “Ere Ney Gibe Gibe” on his third album release earned Artist Yehunie a spot among the few and the best Ethiopia’s renowned folk singers. His fame extended farther into the Ethiopian Community of the US, Europe and the Middle East. 

      After moving to the US in the early 90’s, Artist Yehunie yet released other hit albums like “alo lulo”, “Kuku Melekote”, “be-be Kefilaw”,“Yeman Nesh Wubetaw (Zegelila)”, Classic Collections and “Zengena”. Recently in the year of 2011, Artist Yehunie has released special Easter single song “Yegodelegne ale” for his fans all over the world. In this self-created and self-inspired sweet song, artist Yehunie sings about the love of his country- Ethiopia, its people, its great culture and way of life. Artist Yehunie Belay is not only a singer and performer but also an executive director of the Ethiopian Yellow pages Inc., a Washington DC based online & yellow pages publication and also Editor in chief of Bawza, an Amharic English newspaper publication. Yehunie seizes every opportunity to devote his time to promote the interests of the Ethiopian community in the US.

Yehunie Belay - Guzara 

01 - Yehunie Belay - Nafkeshigal (6:21)
02 - Yehunie Belay - Guzara (6:28)
03 - Yehunie Belay - Mesganaw Deg New (5:03)
04 - Yehunie Belay - Meshelem (6:19)
05 - Yehunie Belay - Betachin (5:44)
06 - Yehunie Belay - Endanchi Miyamer (6:13)
07 - Yehunie Belay - Siyamir Chewataw (7:00)
08 - Yehunie Belay - Hay Mulo (5:18)
09 - Yehunie Belay - Lisamish (6:23)
10 - Yehunie Belay - Dinye (4:51)

Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Bati [198?] [ethiopia]

originaly posted at Likembe blogspot > here

       Here's another long-lost cassette from the "Derg years" in Ethiopia. Bati (Ambassel Music Shop, ca. the early '80s), by Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh, was apparently quite popular in its day, and perfectly illustrates the confluence of the ancient and modern that is so typical of contemporary Ethiopian music.

     Rahel Yohannes (right) began her career not as a singer but as an entrepreneur. In Addis Ababa she managed a restaurant and often entertained the customers with impromptu a capella vocal performances. This led to her introduction to the late Ketema Mekonnen, a singer and player of traditional musical instruments. A professional career, and ten albums, soon followed. To this day she is both a performer and a restaurateur, entertaining audiences at her Fasika Restaurant & Nightclub in Addis.

     Shambel Belayneh (left) is a master of the masinko, the traditional one-string Ethiopian violin. He has performed with the greats of Ethiopian music, including Aster Aweke, Mahmoud Ahmed and the Roha Band, among many others. He currently lives in the United States.

Rahel Yohannes and Shambel Belayneh both have CDs available from AIT Records.

Shambel Belayneh & Rahel Yohannes - Bati

       As I discussed in my last post on Ethiopian music, music distribution in Ethiopia during the '80s was a "do-it-yourself" affair, cassettes being duplicated one-by-one by various music shops. Bati is no exception, and it shows in the recording quality. The musical quality is another matter. I'm sure you'll agree with me that this is an outstanding work of art.

Our opening tune, "Bati," is one of the standards of the Ethiopian repertoire, and has been recorded by innumerable artists. An exceptional version opened 2001's Éthiopiques 15: Jump to Addis (Buda Musique 82264-2). From the liner notes of that disc I got these lyrics:

Like the road to Bati, deep in the gorge,

I wonder if your love will last,

He ate a fruit in Dèssié and went crazy,

He saw a beauty in Kombolcha and went crazy,

I want to leave him before he gets what he deserves.

Unfortunately I have no idea what the other songs on Bati are about. If anyone out there knows Amharic, I'm sure we'd all like to know.

01 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Bati (Bähäbrät) (7:49)

02 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Änta Aynama (3:59)

03 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Endenäu (Bähäbrät) (6:45)

04 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Leqerbwe Leraqwe (4:28)

05 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Änaznegahe Hody (7:31)

06 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Bale Dere (Bähäbrät) (4:28)

07 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Zenay (Bamebele) (5:51)

08 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Klelelaye (9:01)

09 - Rahel Yohannes & Shambel Belayneh - Yedaoo (7:26)

       The tracklist on the cassette lists ten tunes in all. The ninth, "Anejetyne Balakewe," is missing. The song titles were transliterated by myself from a photocopy of the cassette inlay card (below) using the Geez syllabary, so I can't vouch for their accuracy. Anyone with a knowledge of Amharic is invited to correct any errors.