Roha Band - The Best of Roha Band [ethiopia]

           Roha Band has influenced the Ethiopian music industry as no other private music band has succeeded in. Perhaps one can safely say that Roha Band means to Ethiopia what “The Beatles” were to Britain.

            The establishment of “The Roha Band” draws upon heavily or has a strong relation with the fall outs from the wind down and disintegration of the Ibex and Dahlak bands. Members of these two bands recollect that the reasons for the dissolution of the two bands have to do with the emigration of band members to the Sudan and the US leaving a serious vacuum of skill in the bands.

             The Roha Band took it’s name from the historic town of Lalibela. The founding members of the band were Giovanni Rico (Bass guitar), Selam Seyoum (Lead guitar), Fekade Made Meskel (Tenor Sax), all these three hail from Ibex Band and those who joined the Roha Band after the disintegration of the Dahlak Band were Dawit Yifru (Key board and music arranger), Levon Fondachi (vocalist), Tekle Tesfazgi (drummer and vocalist joined the Roha Band leaving their private activities. After the band begun its work, it soon realized that it needed an additional skill and resources. This resulted in the second wave of outsourcing which brought Yonas Degefe (saxophone) and Elias Bekele, Berhanu Yoseph and Ashenafi Awel (both drummers) as well as Yared Teferra (saxophone) in to the fold of the band.

          The startup was difficult specially in terms of capital and musical instruments. Thus, the former Ibex Band members brought the musical instruments they got upon the dissolution of the band to use them in their new band assignments. The band also secured a loan of Birr 40,000.00 from Ato Abeselom Yihdego for the purchase of additional instruments. This well known philanthropist thereby left a deep sense of gratitude in the memory of the band member’s to date. In fact, the man is known for a helping hand he extends from time to time to those engaged in the activities of music and sports.

Roha Band reunion

       The beginnings of the Roha Band were pretty humble and it remains a relative unknown for some time. It was affiliated to the Hilton and Ghion hotels, not a great way to reach the wider public other than the small number of customers of these hotels. 

       The band’s introduction to the public rather came through its involvement in the recording industry where it accompanied and engaged in music arrangement. It benefited nearly all of the best known vocalists of the country both veteran and emerging talents. With this the fame of the band sky rocketed. The skill of the members was phenomenal, their rythems and arrangements were electrifying. The name Roha Band became synonymous with an paralled musical talent and it was the number one preference for a singer who contemplates an album release.

        Its excellence is such that music lovers never mind to buy cassettes even those released complete stranger if it is accompanied by the Roha Band and produced by the Ambassel Recordings. The two brands offer a guarantee through quality. The legacy of the Roha Band has influenced the music industry in some other ways. For instance, usually it is the singer or the vocalist that takes the lion’s share of the admiration and fame after a successful release. The public never asks about the band accompanying the singer. There is no doubt the Roha Band’s influence changed this in drawing the attention of the public to the bands behind the fame and glory of singers.

          Among the focalists in whose releases the Roha Band took part (both in accompanying and music arrangement) were Mahmoud Ahmed, Tehome Wolde, Muluken Melesse, Alemayehu Eshete, Melkamu Tebeje, Kuku Sebsbie, Hamelmal Abate, Neway Debebe, Tsehate Yohannes and many many others.

Roha Band - Oromigna

         Besides its regular engagement at the Hilton and Ghion hotels, the band also took part in several musical tours with the vocalists it accompanied. It’s tours took it to towns like Asmara, Assab, Massawa, Mekele, Bahar Dar, Jimma, Dire Dawa, Awassa, Nazareth e.t.c.The instrumental it released was an instant hit and exhibited the individual and collective skills of the band members. The cassette is still highly sought after, a limited release as it was.

     In the cassette Aster Aweke’s “Hode Mela”, Mahmoud Ahmed’s “Shegule ya lelawo”, Tekle Tesfazgi’s “Fikere telemeni” went instrumental showing how best the band can play both fast and slow music. Among the several music tours the band did the one that requires a special mention was the band’s tour to the areas of Metekel and Gambells where students and instructors of higher education institutions were on duty of building houses for a grand resettlement programme. The band toured these remote border areas and gave live shows free of charge. It has to be noted here that the government sent the band to these areas at the request of the students. The shows it gave were successful both in entertaining the tens of thousands of students who were in hostile and most basic of conditions ans in securing a good reputation to the band.

      The Roha Band further developed its resources and brought better musical instruments some of which were new to the domestic music industry. Having strengthened itself, the band toured even further, this time to voluntaries in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and several states in America.

    The fact that the band members were, besides their musical talent, versed in various individual skills and had different trainings, gave the band the opportunity of making use of this resource and be able to have a very good financial administration and resource management. For instance, the band’s music arranger and key board player Dawit Yifru is a professional accountant, Giovanni Rico studied management. In fact the band was a well managed one.

    In a band setting, working together for 13 years is a rare thing. The Roha Band did this until it finally dissolved in 1993. 

      Factors such as members desire to earn a living by engagements and businesses other than music, the hardship the entertainment industry faced with and the unfavorable and a business centered competition from second rate bands offering their service cheap e.t.c. all pushed the Roha Band out of the lime light and into oblivion. Out of the band members Dawit Yifru, Yonas Degefe (Simon Libanos), Yared Teferra and Ashenefi Awel are still in the music industry. Dawit Yifru is the current president of Ethiopian Musicians Association. The other band members gave up music for good and are leading their lives in other engagements. Apart from Tekle Tesfazghi who died in a car accident in 1987, the others are not only alive but also had a serious plan in mind. Following an over whelming request from the public ina recent radio programme on one of the FMs, the band members confirmed that they have a well thought over plan to regroup one again and give a show as a fare well bid to their fans wheather of not an age factong on musical talent is something to be seen.

Roha Band - 01 - Ambassel - Instrumental (6:24)

Roha Band - 02 - Kememot Aldenem (6:48)

Roha Band - 03 - Fikrey Telemeni [Tegregna] (4:58)

Roha Band - 04 - Haderegna (4:36)

Roha Band - 05 - Endegena, Yeshi Haregitu, Merekan Bito (4:36)

Roha Band - 06 - Hode Mela Mela (5:36)

Roha Band - 07 - Akale (4:21)

Roha Band - 08 - Lale Lale [Guragegna] (4:42)

Roha Band - 09 - Nega Jiredu [Oromegna] (3:05)

Roha Band - 10 - Enetarek (5:08)

Roha Band - 11 - Tizita Garedew (8:09)

Roha Band - 12 - Eyekorekoregn (5:56)

Ali Shebbo - unknown cassette [ethiopia]

   many thanks goes to Eric !!!

       Ali Shebbo origins from Dire Dawa. He is playing guitar and was along with Ali Birra, Abetew Kebede singing in Afaan Oromo when the government was trying to prohibit it. He also made some performances in Addis Abeba, gave out a 7’’ with Philips, and was an active performer and song-writer and popular amongst the Oromos in the 70s and early 80s.

Ali Shebbo - Dumbushie Ghela

Ali Shebbo - 01 - Garaan Soba Beeka (1:18)
Ali Shebbo - 02 - Ashitaa Hararii (4:46)
Ali Shebbo - 03 - Egnumtiin Dhaamsa Siidhaama (6:28)
Ali Shebbo - 04 - Koo Yaabareedu (6:20)
Ali Shebbo - 05 - Yaani kee Yoom Nadhiise (6:01)
Ali Shebbo - 06 - Asiyoobe (4:51)
Ali Shebbo - 07 - Askootu Assin Jira (5:33)
Ali Shebbo - 08 - Shagar Ba'huuree (6:01)
Ali Shebbo - 09 - Haaroon Haaramaayaa (6:01)
Ali Shebbo - 10 - Ija Lameen Kula (5:12)
Ali Shebbo - 11 - Bariidana Kee ti (6:25)

Mahmoud Ahmed - Classical Kirar [Traditional Tunes] [ethiopia]

        In recent months I got some interesting albums from my Ethiopian friends.  This Mahmoud Ahmed release is one of almost forgotten treasures. As usual, this came to me without any info, besides the names of the tracks. 

      Mahmoud's voice accompanied by the krar, a really unique album of the great Ethiopian singer.  Enjoy it!

Mahmoud Ahmed - 01 - Konjitiye (5:11)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 02 - Wogeney (3:52)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 03 - Tizita (8:13)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 04 - Ere Mela Mela (3:40)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 05 - Birtukaney (4:38)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 06 - Ambassel (6:00)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 07 - Gubiliye or Iyew Dimamu (5:24)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 08 - Fikir Indegena (5:07)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 09 - Bakish Tarekign (3:47)

Mahmoud Ahmed - 10 - Anchiye Hodiye (4:30)

Tamrat Molla - old tracks [ethiopia]

         Tamrat Molla was famous Ethiopian artist and singer. He was born in Gondar and began his career in Addis Ababa at young age performing alongside the likes of late Tilahun Gesesse, Mahmoud Ahemed, Bizunesha Bekele, Alemayehu Eshete and Ayalew Mesfin.

          Tamrat Molla died  in Addis Ababa in february 2013.

Tamrat Molla - Astawshegne

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 01 - Alat Liyu Wubet (5:00)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 02 - Astawshegne (4:37)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 03 - Sebebu (5:14)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 04 - Alikim Amalaj (3:35)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 05 - Siniwaded (2:54)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 06 - Tamime Tegnche (4:29)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 07 - Ye Shola Fere Nesh (6:42)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 08 - Yih Hulu Wubetish (2:32)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 09 - Ber Ambar Seberelewo (3:26)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 10 - Ene Yewodedquat (4:12)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 11 - Tizitawan Tita (4:36)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 12 - Zer Keleyenima (3:37)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 13 - Hedech Alu (5:09)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 14 - Bewelaju Yesake (3:24)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 15 - Gojam Lay (4:11)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 16 - Anchin Yagegnulet (4:30)

Tamrat Molla (ታምራት ሞላ) - 17 - Kanchi Lela (3:43)

Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - Aster Aweke's Best Music [ethiopia]

             When she arrived in her homeland in 1997 for the first time since she'd left in 1981, Ethiopian-born and Washington, D.C.-based songstress Aster Aweke was greeted by thousands of loyal followers awaiting her plane. During the month-long tour that followed, Aweke performed before more than 80,000 people and showed that she remains one of Ethiopia's best-loved performers. 

              Aweke has been equally successful throughout the world. Her second album, Kabu, spent four weeks in the top position on the CMJ New Music Charts, and was in the Top Ten of Billboard's World Music Charts for ten weeks in 1990. 

            A native of Gandor, a small town near Lake Tara, Aweke was raised in the capital city of Addis Ababa. The daughter of senior civil servant in the Imperial government, Aweke was determined to become a musician by the age of 13. By her late teens, she was singing in Addis Ababa clubs and hotels with such bands as the Continental Band, Hotel D'Afrique Band, Shebele Band, and the Ibex Band (before they became the internationally known Roha Band). Launching a solo career, Aweke was encouraged by musical entrepreneur Ali Tango, who financed and released five cassettes and two singles of her music. 

         By 1981, Aweke had become disillusioned by Ethiopia's oppressive political climate and relocated to the United States. Temporarily settling in the Bay Area of California with plans to pursue an education; within two years, Aweke continued on to Washington, D.C., the site of the largest Ethiopian population in the U.S. After building a following with her performances in local Ethiopian restaurants, Aweke toured the U.S. and Europe in 1985.

Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 01 - Hiywot New [ሕይወት ነው] (4:58)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 02 - Menew Kere [ምነው ቀረ] (4:57)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 03 - Shemonmana [ሸሞንሟና] (4:51)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 04 - Kelem Eshet [ቀለም እሽት] (5:34)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 05 - Ante Gela [አንተ ገላ] (7:33)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 06 - Awko Yedelelenal [አውቆ ይደልለኛል] (4:58)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 07 - Yeleben Abeba [የልቤን አበባ] (8:46)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 08 - Yanen Yene Shega [ያንን የኔን ሸጋ] (5:00)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 09 - Derbabaye [ደርባባዬ] (5:57)
Aster Aweke with The Walias Band - 10 - Gedamay [ገዳማይ] (6:43)

Tilahun Gessesse - Yachate Na [ethiopia]

   Tilahun Gessesse - Akale Ayeneshen   

Tilahun Gessesse - 01 - Terese beredo nat (5:37)

Tilahun Gessesse - 02 - Beny des yebelesh (5:19)

Tilahun Gessesse - 03 - Sewedesh (5:00)

Tilahun Gessesse - 04 - Astawesshalhu (5:43)

Tilahun Gessesse - 05 - Yachate na (8:05)

Tilahun Gessesse - 06 - Etu gela (5:30)

Tilahun Gessesse - 07 - Wegen ola "Oromo" (4:39)

Tilahun Gessesse - 08 - Akale Ayeneshen (6:18)

Tilahun Gessesse - 09 - Yegermal (5:11)

Tilahun Gessesse - 10 - Yager lege neyelgne (7:32)

v.a. - Au Revoir, Mogadishu Volume 1 - Songs From Before The War [2015] [somalia]

            Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, was once a beautiful port city (with a very ancient history) called the “White Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” But since the coup in 1991 and subsequent civil war, the city has become a shattered wasteland of anarchy, child soldiers, war lords, and constant violence. While conditions have improved over the past five years, their modern history has all but disappeared. So it’s no surprise that this modern music is unavailable; and even at the time, it was rarely properly released.

         What makes this mixtape so fascinating is that the folks at Çaykh spent months finding, compiling, and editing “rips of TV and live recordings on old VHS tapes and radio broadcasts to cassette tapes.”

Truly an amazing mixtape.

v.a. - Au Revoir, Mogadishu

       This Tape of 70's and 80's Somali sound is a rich blend of traditional Somali folk music infused with Western funk, rock and reggae and a touch of Indian, Arabic and African flavors.

      Side A is good for that mellow creamy morning. Side B will get your ass wiggling! There are hardly any proper releases of this soulful sound of guitar, synthesizer and drums. 

Track list:

01 Libaaxyada Maaweeliska Banaadir – Naga Tag, Kac Hooyaa

02 Waaberi – ? (edit)

03 Kooxda Halgan – badbaado guri hooyo

04 Qadiijo Qalanjo – Diriyam Oo Hoo Diriyam

05 Waaberi Hargeysa – Soo dhowoow

06 Wabari Xishood & Jaceyl – ? (edit)

07 Iftin – Wanaagaaga

08 Waaberi – ? (edit)

09 Qadiijo Qalanjo – Dhesessha

10 Dur-Dur Band – Ethiopian Girl

11 Iftin – Axdigii Waad Oofin Weyde

v.a. - Ambassel [ethiopia]

originally posted on The Spear blog : here

                Ethiopian music is primarily based on a five tone scale system. This is known as a pentatonic scale (‘penta’ means five, and ‘tonic’ means note). While most of the music uses a pentatonic scale, some melodies may be based on scales with as few as two or three notes. This is common in Ethiopian folk music, as well as children’s songs. On the other hand, some music in Ethiopia may even be diatonic. Diatonic scales contain 7 notes.

          The Ethiopian word for “scale” is “kiñit”. The word “kiñit” describes both the scale being used, and sometimes the tuning of the instrument. This is because some instruments have strings with no frets, so the strings need to be tuned to the scale. These instruments include the krar, begena, and masinko.

           There are four main kiñits that are used in Ethiopian music. These are the Tizita, Batti, Ambassel, and Anchihoye kiñits. Some of these have different versions or other modifications.

           The Ambassel scale is a pentatonic scale widely used in the Gonder and Wollo regions of Ethiopia.

              The notes of the scale (in the key of C) are C, Db, F, G and Ab. The intervals in the scale are a minor second, a major third, a major second, a minor second and a major third.

           The scale is used in Ethiopian music for songs with historical themes. 

             A scale is a related set of pitches (not necessarily exact) that can be used as a compositional unit. It differs from a tuning or temperament since the latter is a system for tuning an instrument.

       The chromatic scale can be played in Pythagorean tuning, meantone temperament, or 12-tone equal temperament, or indeed many different types of irregular musical temperament.

Alemayehu Fantaye & Yohannes Afework - 01 - Ambassel (3:53)

Tigist Assefa - 02 - Ambassel (7:08)

Unknown Amhara Musician Recorded In Dessie - 03 - Ambassel (3:24)

Admassou Abate - 04 - Ambassel (7:08)

Esubalew Adugna - 05 - Ambassel (4:37)

Betsat Seyoum & Abbebe Fekade - 06 - Ambassel (5:27)

Alemayehu Fantaye & Yohannes Afework - 07 - Ambassel (4:52)

Endeshaw Kelemwork & Etenesh Wassie - 08 - Ambassel (5:15)

Alemayehu Eshete-Alèm Girma Band-Amha Eshete-Girma Béyéné - 09 - Ambassel (5:31)

Gétatchèw Mèkurya - 10 - Ambassel (5:41)

Maritu Legesse - 11 - Ambassel (7:24)

Girma Yifrashewa - 12 - Ambassel (8:51)

Etenesh Wassie - 13 - Ambassel (9:43)

Genet Masresha - 14 - Ambassel (6:10)

Chalachew Ashenafi - unknown album [1992] [ethiopia]

Chalachew Ashenafi ቻላቸው አሸናፊ - Temonamona Alu [ተሞናሞነ አሉ]

Chalachew Ashenafi - 01 - Temonamona Alu [ተሞናሞነ አሉ] (6:13)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 02 - GumGum [ጉምጉም] (5:16)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 03 - Keberet Alem [ክብረት አለም] (4:34)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 04 - Gojam Lem Ager [ጎጃም ለም አገር] (8:18)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 05 - Endenesh [እንዴነሽ] (6:46)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 06 - Sedet [ሰደት] (8:01)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 07 - Teymeleshu Gela ]ተይመልሺው ገላ] (4:00)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 08 - Etu Gela [እቱ ገላ] (3:43)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 09 - Shemunmun [ሸሙንሙን] (5:16)

Chalachew Ashenafi - 10 - Selela [ሽለላ] (9:22)

Genet Masresha - Yaz Yaz [ethiopia]

Genet Masresha - Yaz Yaz 

Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 01 - Yesasa ይሳሳ (6:35)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 02 - Yata Melam Yesew ያጣ መላም የሰው (7:15)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 03 - Yashbelu ያሽበሉ (6:23)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 04 - Yenesew የኔሰው (5:21)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 05 - Nesana ንሳና (5:39)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 06 - Yaz yaz ያዝያዝ (6:26)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 07 - Aynamaye አይናማዬ (4:49)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 08 - Endemennat Gonder እንደምናት ጐንደር (6:20)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 09 - Munaw Belay ሙናው በላይ (7:33)
Genet Masresha ገነት ማስረሻ - 10 - Wubatu ውበቱ (5:55)

Tilahun Gessesse - Wegen alegn [1987] [ethiopia]

Tilahun Gessesse - Ayikedashim libe

Tilahun Gessesse - 01 - Wegen alegn (10:01)

Tilahun Gessesse - 02 - Ayikedashim libe (5:29)

Tilahun Gessesse - 03 - Fikirsh new yegodagn (6:11)

Tilahun Gessesse - 04 - Baletela (3:46)

Tilahun Gessesse - 05 - Akamnaguma feyuma (7:39)

Tilahun Gessesse - 06 - Behwala (5:15)

Tilahun Gessesse - 07 - Ethiopia (7:04)

Tilahun Gessesse - 08 - Zenbo (6:14)

Tilahun Gessesse - 09 - Siko menor (4:16)

Tilahun Gessesse - 10 - Ene alamaregnem (3:41)

Tilahun Gessesse - Tilahun Gessesse [1975] [ethiopia]

      Tilahun Gessesse (Amharic: ጥላሁን ገሠሠ) (also spelled Telahun Gesesse or Tlahoun Gèssèssè) was an Ethiopian singer. He was born on September 29, 1940, in Addis Ababa and died on April 19, 2009.

Tilahun was born to Woizero Gete Gurmu and Ato Gessesse Negusse. When he was fourteen years old, he was taken by his grandfather to Waliso where he began attending Ras Gobena Elementary School.

As time went by, his interest in music became increasingly clear, although his grandfather urged him to concentrate on his academic studies. The Ras Gobena School Principal Mr. Shedad (who was from Sudan), encouraged Tilahun's interest in music and urged him to go to Sudan to pursue his music career. Although Tilahun did not go to Sudan, he took Mr. Shedad's advice very seriously. When Woizro Negatwa Kelkai, Ato Eyoel Yohanes and others artists from the Hager Fikir Theatre came to his school to perform, Tilahun took the opportunity to discuss his interest in music with Ato Eyoel. He was told to go to Addis Ababa if he wanted to pursue a career in the field.

Tilahun Gessesse - Agul New

Tilahun left school to go to Addis Ababa, a journey he began on foot without his grandfather's consent. When his grandfather realized that Tilahun was no longer in Woliso, he informed Tilahun's great-aunt in Tulu Bolo. After Tilahun traveled fifteen kilometers on foot, he was caught in Tulu Bolo and stayed overnight with his great-aunt Woizero Temene Bantu. The next day, he was forced to return back to his grandfather in Woliso. Since his interest in music lay deep in his heart, Gessesse chose not to stay at his grandfather's house in Woliso. After staying only one night at his grandfather’s house, he again began his journey to Addis Ababa, this time hiding himself in the back of a loaded truck.

In Addis Ababa, Tilahun was first hired by the Hager Fikir Association, which is now known as Hager Fikir Theater. After a few years at the Hager Fikir Theater, he joined the Imperial Bodyguard Band where he became a leading star singer. During his time with the band, Gessesse ran afoul of the government after the attempted coup d'état of December 1960 by the Imperial Bodyguard. He was arrested and put in prison for a time.

Tilahun moved to the National Theater where his success continued. He was so famous that he appeared three times in front of Emperor Haile Selassie I. During a visit, the Emperor advised him not to abuse his talent.

The majority of Tilahun's recordings are in Amharic, and some are in Oromiffa.

He received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Addis Ababa University, in appreciation of his contribution to Ethiopian music. He has also received an award for his lifetime achievements from the Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust.

Tilahun Gessesse died on April 19, 2009. He had been in poor health for several years due to diabetes.

Tilahun Gessesse - A1 - Hebret (2:50)

Tilahun Gessesse - A2 - Bezu Gizie Alefe (2:50)

Tilahun Gessesse - A3 - Agul New (2:56)

Tilahun Gessesse - A4 - Megnot Eko Helme New (2:48)

Tilahun Gessesse - B1 - Derese (4:30)

Tilahun Gessesse - B2 - Feker Betwan Serta (2:35)

Tilahun Gessesse - B3 - Kasegnesh (3:03)

Tilahun Gessesse - B4 - Kanchi Gar Kalhone (2:50)