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)

Aster Aweke - Ewedihalehu [2013] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

Aster Aweke - Ewedihalehu 

01. Aster Aweke - Che Ferese (4:41)
02. Aster Aweke - Aye Sew (6:08)
03. Aster Aweke - Sendelela (5:12)
04. Aster Aweke - Zakera (4:48)
05. Aster Aweke - Wuha (3:00)
06. Aster Aweke - Selam (6:15)
07. Aster Aweke - New Year Awdamet (6:34)
08. Aster Aweke - Hulun Yemitiwed (4:39)
09. Aster Aweke - Hid Demo (7:03)
10. Aster Aweke - Enen Yaye (6:50)
11. Aster Aweke - Fiker Fiker (4:51)
12. Aster Aweke - Ayaya (6:24)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia [2008] [ethiopia]

      Between 2003 and 2006, Bastien Lagatta, musician and ethnomusicologist, undertook musical researches among the agro-pastoral societies of the Omo valley, thanks to the support of the CNRS, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UNESCO. For months, he has shared the everyday life of the semi-nomads tribes Nyangatom, Mursi and Bodi, and has taken up the study of their musical repertories. The trek, of several hundred kilometres along the Omo river, in such an amazing natural environment, led him to the heart of Humanity with its peculiar mores, customs and habits. 

              Greatly endearing, these men and women live in a world whose balance is precarious. These recordings reveal the importance of this patrimonial, cultural and artistic heritage.

Benjamin Goldenstein & Patrick Frémeaux

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 01 - Introduction: Troupeaux De Zébus Aux Paturages (1:01)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 02 - Loniyang: Monodie (2:36)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 03 - Loutouleniyang: Monodie (1:49)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 04 - Lopelouk, Suivi De Lobokhiniyang (6:11)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 05 - Lokengkori (1:48)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 06 - Chants Des Vieux Bergers De La Génération Des Élephants (3:35)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 07 - Loumougoulmoye: Chant Collectif Mixte (3:07)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 08 - Chant De Travail: Duo Féminin (2:53)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 09 - Niameley Ye Loporiang (4:40)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 10 - Rienga Rienga Loporiang (6:08)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 11 - Aleke Lokholoya (4:50)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 12 - Flûte Mursi Morou (1:50)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 13 - Oletchay (1:04)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 14 - Naboula Nadongulu (1:44)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 15 - Nangwayna Kara (1:25)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 16 - Badio Laute (1:45)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 17 - Kalalalibosso (1:13)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 18 - Flûtes Morou (2:26)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 19 - Kaenaniye (1:01)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 20 - Komdaye (1:01)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 21 - Ayolo Deguelaye (1:08)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 22 - Noukouregnanineye (1:11)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 23 - ADJenoloynetch (0:35)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 24 - Flûtes Morou (1:02)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 25 - Ambiance De Fête Au Village De Gui Ha (1:14)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 26 - Trompe Trounotey (1:22)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 27 - Danse Et Chant Collectif Mixte Pour Les Troupeaux (1:27)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 28 - Duo Vocal Féminin (5:02)

The Warrior-Shepherds From The Omo Valley - Ethiopia - 29 - Epilogue: À Ce Voyage Musical… (1:05)

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)

Netsanet Melesse - Liben [2013] [ethiopia]

Netsanet Melesse - Liben

Netsanet Melesse - 01 - Atidewulilign (5:20)

Netsanet Melesse - 02 - Karamelaye (5:11)

Netsanet Melesse - 03 - Fikre Belegn (6:14)

Netsanet Melesse - 04 - Feker (4:45)

Netsanet Melesse - 05 - Laferede Ayemachem (4:24)

Netsanet Melesse - 06 - Nega Lelaqane (4:37)

Netsanet Melesse - 07 - Shamasari (5:11)

Netsanet Melesse - 08 - Eruqe (5:06)

Netsanet Melesse - 09 - Lela Lela (5:49)

Netsanet Melesse - 10 - Amata Meherate (5:15)

Netsanet Melesse - 11 - Liben (5:57)

Netsanet Melesse - 12 - Mushirit Ethiopia (5:03)

Netsanet Melesse - 13 - Amoniale (4:22)

Netsanet Melesse - 14 - Tamane Eneji (4:55)

Netsanet Melesse - 15 - Bay Bay (6:09)

Anbessa Orchestra - [2015] - Anbessa Orchestra [EP] [usa+eth]

       Anbessa Orchestra is a 7 piece group from NYC that draws it's inspiration from the beautiful music of Ethiopia. Playing arrangements of Ethiopian funk tunes from the 60's-70's as well as original music with Ethiopian influences.

Wayne Tucker - Trumpet

Eyal Vilner - Alto Sax

Eden Bareket - Baritone Sax

Nadav Peled - Guitar

Dor Heled - Keyboards

Tamir Shmerling - Bass

Eran Fink - Drums

Anbessa Orchestra - 01 - Aynotche Terabu (4:40)

Anbessa Orchestra - 02 - Yematibela Wef (5:20)

Anbessa Orchestra - 03 - Lions  (4:51)

Anbessa Orchestra - 04 - Nagatti Si Jedha (4:19)

Anbessa Orchestra - 05 - Le'b (6:08)

Anbessa Orchestra - 06 - Zelel Zelel (3:20)

Anbessa Orchestra - 07 - Antchi Qondjo (3:17)

Anbessa Orchestra - 08 - Gurage (8:34)

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)