v.a. - Festival AF des musiques ethiopiennes - Tribute to Girma Beyene [2008]

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       Girma Beyene was one of the arrangers who made the Ethiopian music of the Golden Era different than the music of today. He was a lyricist, a music writer, an arranger, a vocalist, an accomplished pianist and finally a bandleader. To most, if any name comes to mind with the word arranger, it is probably that of Mulatu Astatke. Yet, according to Ethiopiques Series producer Francis Falceto*, in the heyday of vinyl records, Girma Beyene is credited to having arranged close to 65 titles, compared to Mulatu's 40.

       The 7th edition of the Ethiopian Music Festival held from the 7th to 17 May 2008 in Addis Ababa. Organized by the Alliance Ethio-Francise as a part of its centenary celebration and as a tribute to the Ethiopian pianist, composer and arranger Girma Beyene, the festival bring renowned and young musicians.

        Francis Falceto in his book Abyssinia Swing, a pictorial history of modern ethiopian music describes Girma as one of a pioneering generation of artists that has a huge influence on the current ethiopian music.

        From the very beginning of the 1960’s and for some twenty years, he ranked among the ethiopian musical scene’s most creative and prolific artists. He left precious few recordings behind him as a vocalist: it was above all as a pianist, organist, composer and arranger that Girma made his mark on what is today agreed to be the golden age of ethiopian music. 

      Throughout the heyday of Vinyl record production (1969-1978), the figure of Girma Beyene dominated the recording sessions. The then-privileged partner of Alemayehu Eshete, Girma innovated, through his simple and to-the-point playing, melding the lightness of pop into the ethos of a changing Ethiopia. Admired for his musical elegance, Girma none the less met one of the saddest fates in ethiopian music. Though his countrymen still remember his charming voice and his knack for pop, they have totally forgotten his role and importance as an innovator.

      Going into exile in the USA in 1981, Girma departed the ethiopian music scene, sinking into the anonymous “Little Ethiopia’ of America’s East Coast.

      According the Alliance booklet, there has been a renewed interest of late in the work and personality of Girma Beyene.

      International groups such as the Either/ Orchestra, The Daktaris, Le Tigre (Platanes), The Ex, Badume's Band and Antibalas have added some of Girma’s major compositions to their repertoires.

01. Alexo & Friends - Medinanna Zelesegna (7:48)

02. Sax Summit - Antchi hoyé lené  (10:22)

03. Addis Acoustic Renaissance - Ambassel (7:47)

04. Azmari evening - Mela mela (4:27)

05. Munit Mesfin & Jörg Pfeil - Sét Alamnem (6:40)

06. Dan Harper's Invisible system - Bertukané (5:01)

07. Addis Acoustic Renaissance - Feker kegna endayleyen (4:18)

08. Charles Sutton quartet - Uuta ayaskefam  (5:40)

09. Sax Summit - Feker ende sekuar  (8:18)

10. Zea - Muziqawi selt (3:19)
11. Alexo & friends - Enkelfén wesdhew (6:56)

12. Munit Mesfin & Jörg Pfeil - Astawesalehu (3:17)

Hibist Tiruneh - Yekerta [2003]

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 Hibist Tiruneh, The Siren of Ethiopia, who stepped to the limelight with her rendering of Bizunesh Bekele's 'Yemiyaslekis Fiqir' a few years ago makes her debut to the forefront of Ethiopian pop music with her almost perfect recent CD release 'Yeqerta!". "Qoy-bicha', 'Befetereh", and "Akkam Akkam" are some of the notable pieces in this well-received CD.

 Hibist Tiruneh

01. Hibist Tiruneh - Koy Bich (5:29)

02. Hibist Tiruneh - Befetereh (5:02)

03. Hibist Tiruneh - Yene Astemaei (5:15)

04. Hibist Tiruneh - Likribeh (5:15)

05. Hibist Tiruneh - Bota Sitegn (5:32)

06. Hibist Tiruneh - Ere Asitelugn (4:32)

07. Hibist Tiruneh - Min Ale Libeh (4:40)

08. Hibist Tiruneh - Chiye Aderalehu (4:30)

09. Hibist Tiruneh - Akam Akam (5:58)

10. Hibist Tiruneh - Yantes Neger Wodia (5:44)

11. Hibist Tiruneh - Yeshalal Bayne (5:37)

12. Hibist Tiruneh - Yekerta (4:24)

Elias Negash - Love / Fikir [2005]

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       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.

      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' musical journey extends many decades that have taken him across many lands. Inspired by his mother who was also a pianist, Elias formed his first group in the 1960's. Elias has had an eclectic musical background where he has combined his native Ethiopian music, with his Jazz education, and other 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 the smash hit group Obeah, Axum, and The Rastafarians. 

      It wasn't long before he started to work and perform with international stars including Dennis Brown, Linda Ronstadt, Steele Pulse, and Third World. He later made his television music debut with Murder She Wrote and Natalie Cole's Big Break productions. Elias was also the composer for the Soundtrack of the show Glitz starring Jimmy Smith and Markey Post with the Magyk band. In addition to the extensive collaborative work with many musicians, Elias has traveled the globe playing for thousands of people on cruise ships and large stadiums alike. His music has inspired listeners from across the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. 

     Elias' first instrumental CD entitled "Fikir" (Love) can be found in the collection of every Ethiopian music lover. Elias took classical love songs and applied Jazz and Reggae sounds to create a contemporary fusion. He followed that extraordinary work by extending to the World Music category by releasing "Harrambe" (Let's Pull Together). 

     Harrambe symbolized the trajectory that Elias had taken in his musical journey evidenced by the title song which is influenced by his experience in Kenya, his formal training in Jazz Improvisation, and his penchant for combining American Jazz with African Melodies. Critics have raved about his ability to retain the melodic integrity of Ethiopian music and add contemporary arrangements to create new sounds. 

    His latest CD Peace is regarded as his best work to date because he incorporates the many musical forms that he has developed over the years, including his Ethiopian roots to join the discourse on Peace through his musical domain. Peace is a topic that is near and dear to his heart and is in line with the themes of his previous work that have encouraged unity through love. 

     Elias wants to share his firm belief that solutions to world struggles can be devised with peace as the instrument that people can bring to bear on the majority of issues that plague human kind. Elias concludes the vibrant CD that encourages people to unite, and join forces in friendship and harmony through the calming piano solo classical rendition of the Ethiopian song "Peace."

    Elias has put out four solo CDs titled : "Love", "Harrambe" (lets pull together), "Peace" and "Feel Like Dancin’.

      His new CD titled “JAZZED UP” was released at the end of 2011.

Getachew Kassa - The Best of Getachew Kassa [2000]

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                            Getachew Kassa

listen online :

01. Getachew Kassa - Iwedishalehu (9:14)
02. Getachew Kassa - Addis Abeba (3:59)
03. Getachew Kassa - Tizita (10:02)
04. Getachew Kassa - Webetim Yigegfal (6:26)
05. Getachew Kassa - Tiz-Balegne Gize (5:01)
06. Getachew Kassa - Hageren Atinquat (4:49)
07. Getachew Kassa - Yekereme Fiker (4:08)
08. Getachew Kassa - Liwesedish And Ken (5:19)
09. Getachew Kassa - Atitfi KeGone (6:53)
10. Getachew Kassa - Inde Ager Ayhonem (4:25)
11. Getachew Kassa - Birtukanun Nesh Lomi (4:28)
12. Getachew Kassa - Ameseginalehu (5:09)

Invisible System - Punt [Made in Ethiopia] [2009]

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       Invisible System is the pseudonym for the UK & Africa producer Dan Harper whose music is an eclectic fusion of Ethiopian, dub, reggae, techno, trance, drum and bass, jungle, acid, psychedelic, folk, post-punk, goth and rock.

       Traditional vocals & instruments meet the modern, electronic and brass. Recorded in Ethiopia.  Live Europeans meet live Ethiopians! 

       The songs were improvised, from scratch - all instruments and vocals. Improvisation was a largely new concept to most of the Ethiopian counterparts (previously told what or how to play or sing). Dan just went from go with your feelings and express them as Dan had done. The results were stunning both for them and for us. We are not into using Ethiopian (or Malian) samples or trying to quickly learn and imitate Ethiopian musicians who have their sounds, modes, scales, feelings and soul from their culture and country else we would be the neo-colonialists. We are into sharing, learning and exchange over time.

       Dan spent 3 years in Addis Ababa not 3 weeks, living, working and existing there. Aid working all around the country, producing music based in Addis. He Met people from all walks of life. The music is based on real life experience not from reading. It is played from the heart and soul of everyone involved. Their own interpretation thus tapping the ebbs and flows of our lives.

Hear What the Critics Have to Say!

---‘sturdy Ethiopian vocals are matched against backing that veers from wailing psychedelic rock to trance, trip-hop and dub, it's an impressive achievement.’  - The Guardian, Robin Denselow

'New rave goes global. The rave crowd may love such deranged energy.' - Uncut, Nigel Williamson

---‘you can imagine this becoming a mind blowing rave classic, pushing the envelope

 beyond Ethiopqiues nostalgia.’ - MOJO, David Hutchenson

---’there's a pleasing headiness to its rough charm’ - The Independent, Andy Gill

---‘a startlingly original combination of Ethiopian roots and pop with dub, electronica and psychedelic rock’ - fRoots, Jamie Renton

---‘this wonderfully strange and slightly otherworldly album’ refuses resolutely to be pigeon holed. One of the most startlingly original musical adventures of the year giving a whole new meaning to the term ‘fusion music’. - R2 / rock N Reel, Dave Haslam

---‘like an exotic mythology flung into outer space‘ - World Music Network, TJ Nelson

---‘It’s an album that, to its credit, solidly defies easy description.  It needs to be heard several times and each reveals a new delight’ - AllMusic.com, Chris Nickson

---‘Each time you hear the songs, you hear something different as this will be the longevity of this world class fusion CD’ - LAsThePlace.com, Los Angeles

---'I encourage everyone to check it out, but not try to capture it..just feel it.' - Max Benkole Jarrett, BBC World Service

---‘Brings together a fine mix of musicians to create a festive-sounding album recorded in Ethiopia’ – New Internationalist

Abdela Abubaker - Millenium [2001] [eritrea]

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1. Abdela Abubaker - Jazz bongo jazz (5:00)
2. Abdela Abubaker - Abshay (6:33)
3. Abdela Abubaker - Yiakil (5:50)
4. Abdela Abubaker - Yeasina (14:30)
5. Abdela Abubaker - Nibat Temegibe (5:39)
6. Abdela Abubaker - Gezawitna (4:56)
7. Abdela Abubaker - Hageray (6:09)
8. Abdela Abubaker - Tsebhi Tsom (5:11)