Akalé Wubé - Ethiopian Groove Greatest Hits [CDR, 2009 / self-released] [FLAC]

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                       Akalé Wubé is an Ethio-groove band from Paris

       It is an improbable story: one that reunites, a group of young Parisians with the Swingin' Addis sounds of the seventies. In October 2008, five musicians got together on a wild project: to delve into the repertoire of the Ethiopian golden age, as defined by the producer Francis Falceto, to whom we owe the series of reissues “Ethiopiques”. “The idea was to transcribe songs from this period and rearrange them to the sound of our times. First off, it eliminated the need to write songs that risked falling into ethio-jazz clichés. 

       The aim was not to bring about some artistic revolution through our work but simply to give and take pleasure by performing this music!” Through this retro-futuristic alchemy, the Akalé Wubé quintet was born: a curious name borrowed from a song by the great saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya, a bit of an old-fashioned expression which can by translated as “my beautiful” in Amharic, a poetic metaphor which also means “beauty of the soul”.

  “Since our very first concert in December 2008 we were surprised by the audience’s enthusiasm.” Since then, Akalé Wubé have played more than forty concerts, including a residency at the Lavoir Moderne Parisien and a tour around Morocco. A year later, they were finally ready to record their debut album. It took them four live sessions in the famous “Cold Rooms” on the bank of the river Seine, in order to capture the warmth and fervor of an acoustic and organic sound. 

      The result is a retro sound which resounds perfectly with the contemporary aesthetic of a generation of musicians that juggle genres around. Funk, reggae, jazz, tango... “All of this is found in the vocabulary and aesthetic of the ethiopian productions of the sixties and seventies. It is a cross-bred style of music - so much so, that even by sticking to the repertoire, it can be taken in different directions...” A mix of stripped-down funk soul and smart pop, of garage rock and vintage jazz, this spatiotemporal collision offers them the ideal platform to establish a solid base in 2010. The objective: transcend all genres and swing the future in the most quirky of ways. This is the attracting force of their record: a UFO which targets above all to deliver good vibes at any tempo, and move you from head to toe.

Akalé Wubé - Ayalqem tedengo (remixed version)

Akalé Wubé - 01 - Yèkatit (5:13)

Akalé Wubé - 02 - Ayalqem tedengo (5:59)

Akalé Wubé - 03 - Muziqawi silt (3:22)

Akalé Wubé - 04 - Ragalé (5:09)

Akalé Wubé - 05 - Kulunmanqueleshi (3:36)

Akalé Wubé - 06 - Yèkermè sew (3:17)

Akalé Wubé - 07 - Tezatayé antchi lidj (5:07)

Akalé Wubé are :

Paul Bouclier : trumpet, percussions 

Etienne de la Sayette : saxs, flutes, organ 

Loïc Réchard : guitar 

Oliver James Degabriele : bass 

David Georgelet : drums 

Pierre Dachery : sound

Express Band - Tiwiwik [2008] [ehiopia]

  

                                    

  R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D  
NEW, BETTER RIP 

 


      In a dramatic departure from the Ethiopian music of the 1980s and 90s, the daring Express Band is credited with changing the sound of Ethiopian music. Drawing on their extensive experience with some of the most renowned bands in Ethiopia, these four innovative musicians have pioneered their own unique sound. As a result, they are currently the #1 band in Ethiopia. Introduction is the bands debut album. 

Express Band - Interview with the Band Founders - Part 1

      The Express Band has toured extensively and performed with many legendary singers, including Ephrem Tamiru and Jamaican singer, Tony Rebel. Talented musicians, composers and lyricists, they were instrumental in the arrangement of Dawit Mellesses Lottery. AIT Records is excited to be working with these creative musicians as we help introduce their unique sound to listeners worldwide, and we look forward to producing future albums with the Express Band.

       Founded in 1994 with three musicians - Dereje Tefera (bass), Kibret Zekiwos (guitar) and Feleke Hailu (keyboards and saxophone) - the daring Express Band is credited with changing the landscape of Ethiopian music. Performing in clubs throughout Addis Ababa, the Express Band has been joined onstage by the likes of Dawit Mellesse, Theodros "Afro" Kassahun, Shewandagn Hailu, Zeritu Kebede, Tigist Bekele and Abdu Kiar, and they have performed on recordings by a number of Ethiopia 's leading singers. Drawing on these experiences, they have pioneered their own unique sound and remain one of the busiest and most sought-after bands in Ethiopia .

Express Band - 01 - Set Alamnim (3:32)
Express Band - 02 - Sira (4:27)
Express Band - 03 - Chinkim Mekeraye (6:26)
Express Band - 04 - Ye-Hiywote Hiywet (5:53)
Express Band - 05 - Hallo Hallo (4:56)
Express Band - 06 - Ye-Har Shererit (5:00)
Express Band - 07 - Innate Nesh (4:29)
Express Band - 08 - Alchalkum (6:20)
Express Band - 09 - Libesh Kabashin (4:16)
Express Band - 10 - Mignote (4:08)
Express Band - 11 - Kurtun Nigerign (4:25)
Express Band - 12 - Ye-Fikir Migib (4:15)

Band members: 

Dereje Tefera - bass instrument

Elias Bekele - drums

Feleke Hailu - clarinet, saxophone, keyboards

Kibret Zekewos - guitar

Additional personnel: 

Abegasu Kibrework Shiota - keyboards

Urbano Sanchez Jr. - percussions

Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret [1976] [ethiopia]

originally posted here on Lola Vandaag blog

   for Sergej and others who asks about this release - enjoy!   

Asselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - Metche New

Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 01 - Ene Yalant Feker (3:00)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 02 - Meche Neow (3:25)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 03 - Kenawtte (2:40)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 04 - Anlak Abet Abet (4:31)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 05 - Amerewal Shegenuo (3:18)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 06 - Lametew (3:31)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 07 - Wegenne (5:58)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 08 - Yenafaktiwou Tersseh (3:42)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 09 - Ayinouma (4:47)
Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret - 10 - Jegenaw Belaye (5:51)

Abu Obaida Hassan & His Tambou - The Shaigiya Sound of Sudan [2018] [sudan]

Abu Obaida Hassan and the wonders of his five-string tambour remained largely a mystery. In the early 2000s, a prominent Sudanese newspaper declared him dead. Internet forums confirmed his passing. Many in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, said he had indeed died. But rumors that he was still alive persisted.

What was always certain is Abu Obaida Hassan’s mercurial talent. His command of a modified tambour, backed by a chorus and two drummers, unleashed swirling melodies alongside complex Nubian rhythms and hypnotic Sudanese call and response. His bands roster constantly changed, but he remained at the helm, playing for sold out shows in cities across the country and capturing the dancefloors and youth of 1970s and ‘80s Sudan.

Abu Obaida Hassan - Qamar Al Massa (Moon of the Night)

This is a rich, raw example of the human experience with sound from northern Sudan, an ancient part of the world, and the birthplace of civilization. Music like this isn’t mastered overnight.

The Ostinato team first came across Abu Obaida’s recordings in 2011, finding scratchy bits and pieces along the years. We traveled to Sudan in 2016 to find the clues to piece together the Abu Obaida Hassan puzzle. Through some extensive detective work with our man in Khartoum, Ahmed Asyouti, and a generous dose of good fortune, we tracked Abu Obaida to the rural outskirts of Omdurman, the old capital just across the White Nile from Khartoum. Age has taken its toll, but he remains full of life and music, ready to jointly curate a selection of his eight best cuts. He has written over 100 songs, only 30 were recorded.

Abu Obaida comes from the Shaigiya people, whose culture is spread around the ancient city of Merowe, home of traditional Nubian culture, where pyramids older than those in Egypt still stand. They trace their entire lineage to one man, Shaig, who migrated from the Arabian peninsula in the 15th century. An endlessly rhythmic syncretism between Arab and Nubian styles, Abu Obaida’s Shaigiya music was an in demand party affair in an era when a vibrant nightlife and roving sound systems were staples of life in Sudan.

It was music for a modern era, and Abu Obaida, at just 19, rebelliously abandoned traditional Shaigiya music traditions, pioneering a new sound by adding an extra string to his tambour and electrifying an instrument adored across East Africa. The result was complexity in simplicity and a hyper-talented artist who mirrors the story of Sudan’s highs and lows, from the leading tambour maestro of the hour to such obscurity on the fringes that he was believed dead. “They killed me!”, he likes to joke.

Abu Obaida Hassan, his music and the musical traditions of the Shaigiya remain alive and kicking. A culmination of a 7-year journey — from first hearing Abu Obaida’s distinct sound, found only in Sudan, to finding the man — has produced the first global release of Shaigiya music and is the first chapter of Ostinato’s immersion into Sudan, with a full compilation of the lavish musical history of one the most diverse countries in Africa due later this year. All brought to you by the Grammy-nominated team behind last year’s “Sweet As Broken Dates”.

Abu Obaida Hassan - 01 - Daweena (6:33)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 02 - Qamar Al Massa (Moon of the Night) (8:15)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 03 - Nas Fi Nas (People on People) (5:20)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 04 - Fargooni (They Left Us) (3:25)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 05 - Shofo Alla (Find Me A Solution) (6:37)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 06 - Amshy Shoof (Go Find Your Own Love) (5:02)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 07 - La...La (Don’t Say I Am Betraying You) (7:15)

Abu Obaida Hassan - 08 - Dayer Anwer Lek (Light Your Path) (5:03)

v.a. - Nahom Favorite, Vol. 38 [2018] (Zema Aman) [ethiopia]

Haileyesus Girma - Godashiew

01 - Sami Beyene — Saq Saq (5:01)

02 - Sami Beyene — Endachinew Mewded (4:03)

03 - Anteneh Werash — Qeterosh (4:20)

04 - Anteneh Werash — Tewado Yileyayal (5:31)

05 - Tislat Gezimu — Yileyilign (4:57)

06 - Tislat Gezimu — Endet Endet (3:33)

07 - Haileyesus Girma — Wub Nesh (5:24)

08 - Haileyesus Girma — Qelel (4:29)

09 - Yared Belay — Ayen Wuha (4:33)

10 - Yared Belay — Andlay Nen Wey (4:43)

Demere Legesse - Demak Ye Serg Zefenoch [2004] [ethiopia]

Demere Legesse was born on February 19, 1969 from his father Legesse Tesema Bilhate and his mother Debre Beshah Ayele. He was born in Agarfa, Bale in a small town called Galema Hebeno. He attended grade 1 up to 6 in Galema Hebeno Sefera Mender School, 7 and 8 in Agarfa Melestegna Primery School, 9 and 10 Batu Terara Secondary School, 11 and 12 in Addis Abeba Nifas Silk and Maremiya Betoch School.

     In February 8, 1987 he traveled to Addis Ababa and employed as a police officer in Maremiya Betoch. After 6 month military technical course in Aleltu he was introduced as a vocalist in Maremiya Police Orchestra. After working for 14 years from 1987 to 2001 in Maremiya Police Orchestra he formed his own music band named DL Band. He handled numerous music concerts and matrimonial festival for bride and bridegroom in Ethiopia and for those who come from America, Canada, Europe, Australia and different countries.

Demere Legesse - Serg

Demere is one of the members of Yellow Page which is Ethiopian musicians community. He has a great roll in Ethiopian musical industry of wedding and culture. As a mater of fact he presented cultural and nuptial music such as Kana Zgelila (Special Church Song), Melkam Kelebet (Reggae Style Nuptial Music), Awddeamet 2001, Awddeamet 2003, Kotu Malo, Sendelewa, Burtukkee, and others.

Back in Maremiya Betoch Orchestra, Demere found his soul mate Etenesh Girma Bogale and married in March 18, 1990. One year later they have their first baby Nathnael in May 1991, the second baby Abel in October 1996 and the third Rodas in August 2008. And now Demere has 3 children and 3 houses plus personal band.

Demere Legesse - 01 - Musheraye / Des Yilal (6:43)

Demere Legesse - 02 - Kulun Manqwalesh (7:22)

Demere Legesse - 03 - Shinet / Tewubeshal Alu (5:43)

Demere Legesse - 04 - Enshoshela (5:46)

Demere Legesse - 05 - Yebete Zemedu (5:47)

Demere Legesse - 06 - Musheroch Des Yebelachuh (6:08)

Demere Legesse - 07 - Shelmuat Shelimut (6:48)

Demere Legesse - 08 - Debalkisen / Oromogna (6:22)

Demere Legesse - 09 - Musher Abeba (6:29)

Demere Legesse - 10 - Hi Loga (4:58)

Demere Legesse - 11 - Muna Minjaр (5:22)

Demere Legesse - 12 - Sendel Gela Welo (6:26)

Demere Legesse - 13 - Wubitu Gonder Gonder (5:02)

Kirubel Assefa - Dimtsepia [2017] [ethiopia]

 Kirubel Assefa Kebede is an Ethiopian musician who has been residing in the US and performing and perfecting his craft for over 20 years. From the early days of his childhood in Ethiopia, it was apparent that Kirubel had a keen awareness of music and rhythm. Long before his formal education at St. Joseph in Addis Abeba began, Kirubel enjoyed using eating and cooking utensils as drum sticks to create sound, showing an affinity for and love of music early on. His first formal musical training was on a school drum set during his elementary years, and he eventually performed regularly with the St Joseph School Band. Over time, his musical fluidity has expanded beyond drums to include the rhythm of the bass and the bubbling sound of the keyboards.

After immigrating to the United States, Kirubel continued his training and musical education at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA and began to hone his skills in arranging and composing music for film and movies. With extensive exposure to the dynamic cultural & musical melting pot of Los Angeles, Kirubel played with bands across numerous musical genres, including Afro-Cuban, Reggae, and Funk bands.

Kirubel Assefa

He acted in the semi-autobiographical independent film entitled “Journey to Lasta” (2004) directed by Wondwossen Dikran in which he portrayed an Ethiopian musician struggling to survive in Los Angeles. He composed most of the songs for the movie which also featured his band “Lasta Sound”.  Kirubel also served as sound designer for a number of commercial products and composed the music for the IMAX documentary entitled “Mystery of the Nile” (2005).

As musical director, arranger, and performer, he has worked with the biggest names in Ethiopian music such as, Mahmoud Ahmed, Gigi, Aster Aweke, Tewodros Tadesse and the late Dr. Telahun Gessesse. 

Kirubel tours regularly with many internationally known artists.

KIRUBEL AND THE DIMTSEPIA PROJECT - LIVE cover N ARC

Dimtsepia, is the title of Kirubels first solo project. Dimtsepia, as a body of work, is a celebration of Ethiopian culture.  The word is a contraction of dimtse (the Amharic word for sound) and Ethiopia. On the recording, Kirubel plays bass, keyboards, guitar (1 song) as well as arranging the horn parts. With strong roots in jazz as a discipline, Kirubel weaves the traditional melodies of his homeland around complex rhythms creating a brand of world fusion for the 21st century.

While the music was written and composed by Kirubel, lyrics on several songs were written by respected lyricist and musician Yonas Mulatu. The first single will be “Ye Ethiopia Lij” meaning “Child of Ethiopia” sung by Fitsum Mahedere. Tsedenia Gebremarkos, known for her works on Real World Records with the band Dub Collusus sings on two tracks: “Kokobe” and “Tesmamye”. 

Tsegaye B/ Selassie who is the front man  from Lasta sound sung "Maraki".  This release will also introduce an up and coming singer, Teklish, who is destined to become the voice of a new generation. The horn section on the recording includes Kumasi Washington on Saxophone, Ryan Porter on trombone and Chris Gray on Trumpet.

Kirubel Assefa - 01 - Tesmameye (4:26)

Kirubel Assefa - 02 - Ye Meskel Wef (5:03)

Kirubel Assefa - 03 - Ye Ethiopia Lij (4:32)

Kirubel Assefa - 04 - Dimtsepia (4:05)

Kirubel Assefa - 05 - Addis Lij (4:52)

Kirubel Assefa - 06 - Kokebe (5:37)

Kirubel Assefa - 07 - Ethio Jazz (5:02)

Kirubel Assefa - 08 - Webit (5:49)

Kirubel Assefa - 09 - Maraki (4:41)

Kirubel Assefa - 10 - Tana (5:48)

    Holding true to the layered arrangements of the outstanding Ethiopian bands of the 70’s and 80’s, the sound is infused with contemporary elements. By collaborating with some of the best voices singing in Ethiopian music today, the plan is to fully exploit each single in its own right. A video has been shot in Addis to promote and expose the song “Ye Ethiopia Lij.” The story line follows a young Ethiopian who has been sent to the city to help support the family in the country. It captures a slice of life often overlooked but a reality that should be recognized and ultimately celebrated.

Credits:

Kirubel Assefa  - Bass, Keyboards (All tracks) Guitar (Track 4)

Teferi Assefa - Drums, (Track 2, 3, & 5) Percussion (all tracks)

Johnny Blackman - Drums (Track 9)

Reginald Spivey - Drums (Tracks 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 & 10)

Yoseph Ermias - Guitar (Track 2, 5 & 8)

Zakki Jawad - Guitar (Track 3)

Huit Kilos - Guitar (Tracks 1, 5, 6 & 8)

Michael McTagger - Guitar (Tracks 3, 7, 9 & 10)

Kamasi Washington - Saxophone ( All Tracks except Track 1)

Ryan Porter - Trombone (All Tracks except Track 1)

Cris Gray - Trumpet (All Tracks except Track 1)

Vocals:

Teklish Sisay (Track 2 & 8)

Tsedenia Gebremarkos (Tracks 1 & 6)

Fitsum Mahadere (Tracks 3 & 5)

Tsegaye Berhanu Selassie (Track 9)

v.a. - Nahom Favorite, Vol. 14 [2006] (Best Collections) [ethiopia]

Ahmed Teshome - Awra Amba

Tewodros Kassahun - 01 - Menta Wedjie (6:42)

Getu Omahirie - 02 - Yesew Neshe (5:21)

Tewodros Kassahun - 03 - Yregal (6:13)

Natinael Ayalew - 04 - Amrognal (4:32)

Natti Haile - 05 - Bahlien (6:00)

Ahmed Teshome - 06 - Teteyeqie Nazrit (6:07)

Tewodros Kassahun - 07 - Lamie Bora (7:44)

Getu Omahirie & Hayimanot Girma - 08 - Barkln Hagerachenim (5:46)

Ahmed Teshome - 09 - Eyariko (5:06)

Natti Haile - 10 - Bob Marly (4:55)

Ermiyas Asefa - 11 - Alehu Bleshe (5:58)

Tewodros Kassahun - 12 - Sdet (6:40)

Ahmed Teshome - 13 - Dinbi (4:53)

Anbessa Orchestra - Negestat [2018] [usa+eth]

       Anbessa Orchestra is a 7 piece band based in Brooklyn NY that draws its inspiration from the diverse musical culture of Ethiopia, combining these unique sounds with the more western sounds of Funk, Jazz, R&B and Rock. The band has been a prominent figure on the NY scene and has played alongside legendary Ethiopian keyboardist and composer Hailu Mergia. The band has also been featured on the "Beyond Addis Vol.2" compilation featuring new music inspired by Ethiopia.

​

"No one does Ethio-Jazz quite like Anbessa Orchestra" - Popmatters.com

Anbessa Orchestra Live at National Sawdust - LIONS

     In the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, during the 1960’s and ‘70s, the sounds of American jazz and James Brown-style funk rocketed through the clubs there, combining with Ethiopia’s own exotic scales to produce the golden age of Ethiopian pop. The New York-based 7-piece band Anbessa Orchestra draws from this era and aims to take the listener on a musical journey from Addis Ababa to Brooklyn, with the loping grooves, buoyant brass lines, moody organ, crisp guitars, and solid percussion. Their new album is called "Negastat", which means “Kings” and it is full of Ethiopian-style, horn-heavy funk. 

Anbessa Orchestra - 01 - Negestat (Kings) (5:59)

Anbessa Orchestra - 02 - Gurage (3:42)

Anbessa Orchestra - 03 - Gize Suite (6:16)

Anbessa Orchestra - 04 - Get'err (Village) (4:47)

Anbessa Orchestra - 05 - K'edema (City) (2:35)

Anbessa Orchestra - 06 - Yeleleu Hager Lidl (Son of No Country) (6:00)

Anbessa Orchestra - 07 - T'sahai (Sun) (3:29)

Anbessa Orchestra - 08 - Gurage *Single (3:42)

Malik Abdul-Rahmaan & Chris Hound - Ethiopian Melodies [2017] [ethiopia]

Malik Abdul-Rahmaan & Chris Hound - Ethiopian Melodies  [full album]

Malik Abdul-Rahmaan & Chris Hound - A (30:54)
Malik Abdul-Rahmaan & Chris Hound - B (30:51)

Reshan Gebre - Lelay [2002] [ethiopia]

Reshan Gebre the Best Tigrinya Kirarist

Reshan Gebre - 01 - Lelay (8:05)

Reshan Gebre - 02 - Kadire (7:32)

Reshan Gebre - 03 - Halengay (7:09)

Reshan Gebre - 04 - Rihus Gama (7:32)

Reshan Gebre - 05 - Hagirey (4:49)

Reshan Gebre - 06 - Woinay (6:17)

Reshan Gebre - 07 - Tembe Nie (6:02)

Reshan Gebre - 08 - Sewir Gahide (6:07)

Reshan Gebre - 09 - Hade Yihun Alina (6:19)