Poor rip of 7 folders containing some of the famous Oromo guitar players and singers, such as Abitew Kebede, Adem Harun,Kedir Said,Abdullahi Jirma, Abdi Qophee and many other.
Yishak Banjaw, composer and keyboard player from Addis Ababa known to his country for his innovative compositions and unique sound. His ability to transform traditional Ethiopian songs into spacey Minimal-Wave gems creates an ultra hypnotic and psychedelic atmosphere, a sound that you have never experienced before. A genuine talent who carried the long tradition of Ethiopia into another level..
Another rising star is the Washington-based Oromo singer Abdi Nuressa. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter is a breath of fresh air, combining love, politics and empowerment.
Born in the Western part of Oromia region and brought up in Addis Ababa, Abdi emigrated to the US as a teenager. He was naturally influenced by the different cultures to which he was exposed but has remained true to his roots, as clearly seen in his music. He kicked off his singing career by performing cover versions of old Oromo classics such as those of Ali Birra. His debut album, Iree Adda, was released at the end of July 2009, marking his arrival on the music scene. The album, bearing an English subtitle The Power of Culture, can be seen as a political statement and an expression of the longing to return to his roots. The strong and energetic rhythms, taken from the Oromo tradition, are mingled in a subtle way with the sounds of reggae, funk, folk and hip-hop.
Abdi Nuressa - Ayyaana Laalattuu
One song in particular on that album, 'Ayyaana Laalattu' (Afan Oromo for 'opportunist'), put Abdi Nuressa on the map. Crossing the language barrier, the song was a big hit both in Ethiopia and abroad, among people who speak the language and those who don't. It proved the star's argument that "if we Oromo artists can deliver quality music, the language can never be a barrier, especially in our time."
Dereje Mekonnen began his career in the early 1980's as a keyboard player in the Ibex band, which accompanied the singer Mahmoud Ahmed on three albums. Then He founded the formation Dallol, a reggae band with which he concerted in Chicago. He also accompanied Ziggy Marley on his albums Conscious Party (1988) and One Bright Day (1989), which were awarded the Grammy. After numerous tours with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, he founded band Gizzae in 1991, with which he appeared mainly in Chicago and the Midwest of the USA. He also worked with Ethiopian musicians like Tilahun Gessesse and Ephrem Tamiru. Dereje also produced the first album of Ejigayehu Shibabaw, One Ethiopia (1998).
Dereje Makonnen died young, at the age of 49 years.
Ibex Band - Yezemed Yebada
To most of his adoring fans that got close to knowing him by first name, he was just simply known to them as "DJ" and more importantly to his own family and ours, we called him Dereje. The 5th one down from a family of eleven (also his favorite chord progression...) and in my humble opinion: the most gifted keyboard player there is among Ethiopian Musicians.
Dereje "DJ" Makonnen was not one to drop names nor pre-occupy his time and energy with whom he has worked with and/or help bring them to stardom, he wanted to play music since he can actually see the blueprint of what the song should be each time the singer/artist bring the lyrics and the "Zema" (pronounced Zay_MAH: a word in amharic which means melody).
Dereje Makonnen was one of the key element in revolutionizing modern Ethiopian Music (meaning using non-traditional musical instruments) He was always playing the guitar [his favorite instrument] the keys and also the bass at the forefront of trying new sounds and arrangement styles that no one was attempting. Many of the current Ethiopian musicians refer to him as a mentor.
Jorga Mesfin is a self taught musician with influences that span the spirit and innovation of Jazz and the ancient and diverse sounds found in Ethiopian music.
Wudasse - Ete Mate
A professional performer since the age of 17, his career boasts appearances with Tsegaye Gebremedhin, Carolyn Beard Withlow, The Last Poets, Vijay Iyer, Wayna Wondossen, Kirk Whalum, Takana Miyamoto, Gizze Reggae band, Dionne Farris, Aster Aweke, Mahmoud Ahmed and Mulatu Astatke.
He is the founder of Ethio-jazz group Wudasse, and composed the score to Haile Gerima’s epic Ethiopian movie Teza, for which he won the award for Best Music Selection at the 22nd Carthage Film Festival and Best Composer Award at the 5th Dubai International Film Festival. As a saxophone and piano instructor, Jorga teaches at the at African Jazz School, Mekanisa Mekanyesys Music School and the Wusate Berhan Abere Music Training Center for the Visually Impaired.
Mesele Asmamaw is one of the best ethiopian krar players. He has been playing in the Mohammed Jimmy Mohammed Trio touring Europe since 2004. He is also member of Qwanqwa band.
Yegna (pronounced Yen-ya, meaning "Ours" in Amharic) is an all-girl Ethiopian acting and pop group with the stated aim of reaching out to empower the young women of Ethiopia.
The 5-member group was formed in April, 2013 as part of the internationally funded Girl Hub scheme, which also operates in Nigeria and Rwanda.
The group members are Teref Kassahun (nicknamed Melat, aged 26), Lemlem Haile Michael (Mimi, 26), Zebiba Girma (Emuye, 22), Eyerusalem Kelemework (Sara, 27) and Rahel Getu (Lemlem, 22). Each member of the group has a different stage persona and nickname. Melat's character is that of the city girly princess, Mimi's that of the tough swaggering streetwise girl, Emuye is the vivacious music-lover, Sara the quiet studious one and Lemlem the steady maternal type.
Yegna Band - Halenga - Abet
They produce videos and perform on Ethiopian radio in a weekly drama and talk show for young women, addressing issues such as forced marriage, isolation and teen pregnancies, broadcasting on Sheger FM in Addis Ababa to a population of some 20 million. Their first live performance was at the Addis Ababa National Theatre in May 2013.
After the success of their debut video Abet in 2013 they released a second video,Taitu, later in the year, in collaboration with singer Aster Aweke. Taitu was an Ethiopian queen consort in the early 20th century.
Zvuloon Dub System is Israel's leading Reggae band. Adopting their name from one of the twelve tribes of Israel, the band was formed in 2006 by the Smilan brothers. They shared the same passion for roots reggae and dub, with influences from a variety of music styles, like Ethiopian jazz and rare grooves from the 70’s, USA's soul, funk and jazz, alongside with Israeli mizrahi (oriental) music.
Zvuloon Dub System - Anbessa Dub [FULL ALBUM]
band members:
Gili Yalo - lead vocals, Inon Peretz - trumpet, Ilan Adiri - tenor sax, Ilan Smilan - lead guitar, Simon Nahum - rhythm guitar, Lior Romano - piano and organ, Tal Marcus - bass, Asaf Smilan - drums and percussion guests artists:
Temesgen "Taniqo" Gebre Selassie is one of the hottest young Eritrean artists to come out of the Asmara music scene, with his unique blend of Eritrean guaila and pop.
