v.a. - new ethio grooves [2014] [ethiopia]

Warm regards to all the readers of my blog. 

Regular followers have probably noticed that the usual Christmas present is late this year, but it does not mean that it will not arrive.

And here it is !

It is only fitting that we end the year with a short overview.This time, it is a compilation of the recent work of the bands whose music is influenced by the Ethiopian sound.

I am not going to bore you a lot. You have come to know most of the authors form this compilation through the posts on my blog, but there is something completely new as well. You will find out for yourself what it is. 

I wish you lots of health, happiness and love in the new year. And lots of interesting music, of course. 

B.

   cd 1  

01 - Nadav Haber - Nanu Nanu Jazz (6:13)

02 - Elias Negash - My Eyes Are Hungry (6:55)

03 - New Constellations - Rift Valley (4:51)

04 - Ethioda - Araray (5:09)

05 - Akalé Wubé - Kidus à cent dix (5:17)

06 - Akalé Wubé - Gab's Trap (4:00)

07 - Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Che Belew (4:02)

08 - Arat Kilo - Ankober Hotel (3:42)

09 - Les Frères Smith - Yègellé Tezeta (My Own Memory) (4:58)

   cd 2  

01 - KAZANCHIS +1 - Bilemo Bilee (6:00)

02 - KAZANCHIS +1 - Agerwa Wasa Magana (5:36)

03 - KAZANCHIS +1 - Astawusalehu (5:34)

04 - Feedel Band - Girl from Ethiopia (7:35)

05 - Feedel Band - Arayas Mood (8:24)

06 - Black Flower - Upwards (4:58)

07 - The Shaolin Afronauts - Abyssinian Suite, Pt. 1 (5:28)

08 - The Shaolin Afronauts - Abyssinian Suite, Pt. 2 (5:07)

09 - The Shaolin Afronauts - Abyssinian Suite, Pt. 3 (3:44)

Imperial Tiger Orchestra - [2013] - Wax [swiss+ethiopia]

Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Le Le Le

       After two albums and a short but well-documented history, Imperial Tiger Orchestra (aka the Tigers) strikes back with a mighty new album, “Wax”, comprising nine killer tracks of tight funk and free-spirited trance wrapped in luscious arrangements. Still inspired by African masters – but not necessarily those you might have thought of – The Tigers have this time delved into the traditional azmari repertoire to uncover astonishing nuggets of synth- and horn-heavy grooviness. Get ready for a journey into the heart of Ethiopia.

          When Imperial Tiger Orchestra first started unravelling the yarn of Ethiopian Music from the Golden Age (1969 – 1975), no one expected the thread to be so long and no one knew where it might end.

          Inspired by original albums that the band found while shopping for rare musical gems on a first visit to Addis Ababa in 2009, Imperial Tiger Orchestra released a first record in 2010, the aptly-named Addis Abeba, which explored

          Ethiopian music from the 70s – when traditional Ethiopian brass bands began feeding off American soul. The second release, Mercato, veered towards a more pop-inspired repertoire from the 80s, and the latest release goes one step further, taking the listener deeper into Ethiopian culture, from the unique sounds of the azmari repertoire to the hypnotic groove of the major tribes.

       After three years touring Europe, Imperial Tiger Orchestra has acquired a solid reputation as a mighty groove machine. The band has also taken its acid riffs to the African continent, touring South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe back in 2010. Having been invited to Addis Ababa by the renowned producer of the Ethiopiques series, Francis Falceto, the Tigers were proud to meet many of the local musicians who work to reshape traditional Ethiopian music. Based in and around Geneva, Switzerland, Imperial Tiger Orchestra has also worked with musicians and dancers from the Ethiopian diaspora, receiving their rewarding approval and blessing for their own original take on Ethiopian music.

        Wax: 80s synths meet traditional kebero percussions and daring rhythms. Gorgeous horn arrangements enwrap powerful bass lines and saturated electronic beats. All of this in a room where the sun pierces through the walls, where spirits dance and bodies are entranced.

   tracklist   

1. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Konso    06:19 

2. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Lelele    04:55

3. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Yasheryshery   05:33 

4. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Bechereka moshete   05:15 

5. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Che Belew    04:01

6. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Shered    03:21

7. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Tgeregna   07:03

8. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - El Naas Elgiafa   04:38

9. Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Sudani Tune   04:16 

   band members :  

Raphael Anker - trumpet, keyboard 

John Menoud - sax, electronics 

Alexandre Rodrigues - keyboards 

Cyril Moulas - bass, phin, krar, guitar 

Luc Detraz - kebero, pads, kayamb 

Julien Israelian - drums, wax machine 

Getu Tirfe - dance 

Emebet Tezazu - dance

Samson Kidane Band - [eritrea + germany]

Samson Kidane and Friends

       Samson Kidane, singer and songwriter from Eritrea, live in Cologne, Germany and  writes his songs on the krar, the national musical Instrument of Eritrea. This plucked instrument is similar to the ancient lyre European and West African kora harp. 

This rare instrument is played today only in the zones adjacent to the Nile countries of Africa, and the Arabian peninsula. 

With his music Samson Kidane miraculously combine his African roots with modern music styles such as hip-hop, reggae and rock. But still you can hear his songs with East African and Arabic influences. 

           Samson Kidane is as cosmopolitan who is looking for the unifying between cultures. He sings in Tigrinya, the outsider a melodious, musical language. The lyrics of his songs are influenced by his early life in a war-torn Eritrea, and deal critically with the situation of his homeland. 

       They also tell of depth and passion, love and religion. His band plays in a classic line: with guitar, bass, drums and percussion support the four musicians discreet and reserved the own music style.

01 - Samson Kidane Band - Celdi (3:24)

02 - Samson Kidane Band - Fithi (3:22)

03 - Samson Kidane Band - Mesiluni ich dachte (2:56)

04 - Samson Kidane Band - Natuju sein (3:56)

Samson Kidane - krar, singing 

Wolfgang Reinermann - guitar 

Peter Dickas - drums 

Miguel Diaz - bass

Dereje Makonnen - Ibex Instrumental [1999] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

 Dereje Makonnen  (1962 - 2011)    
keyboardist, guitarist, arranger

Dereje Mekonnen ደረጀ መኮንን - “እትቱ በረደኝ"

         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. 

        Go ahead and ask any well-established musician in the Ethiopian Music circuit... they all know him as just simply "DJ". His composition style and rhythm arrangement has mentored many of the up-and-coming musicians in our own communities.

          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). 

     

 The lyrics of a song always send the message across to the listening audience but it is the song that carry the tune into everybody's ear and make them remember it each time they hear the first few bars of the song. After few years of tenure with the Dallol Band in Chicago, IL whom during the last heydays of the band they were touring with Ziggy & the Melody Makers on both Conscious Party (1988) and One Bright Day (1989) albums. It was right after the tour that DJ along with Ruphael, Bryan "Rocket", Asrat and Kahali Makonnen who was later replaced by Clem Julien formed Gizzae in 1991. Gizzae soon became a fan favorite in the Chicago and Midwest reggae scene. Every Sunday night, if you were a reggae music lover, you were at the Wild Hare waiting for Gizzae to take the stage. 

      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.

01. Dereje Makonnen - Yezemed Yebaed (5:40)

02. Dereje Makonnen - Yene Fikir (5:23)

03. Dereje Makonnen - Zerafewa (8:15)

04. Dereje Makonnen - Kemdelaye (4:46)

05. Dereje Makonnen - Yene Nesh Wey (4:01)

06. Dereje Makonnen - Dinq Nesh (5:27)

07. Dereje Makonnen - Yedenqal (6:18)

08. Dereje Makonnen - Meleyayet Mot Naw (7:09)

09. Dereje Makonnen - Shemonmounaye (3:52)

10. Dereje Makonnen - Assa Abelashaleho (5:14)

11. Dereje Makonnen - Ashqaru (3:36)

Daniel W/Gabriel - Wube [1990] [ethiopia]

                   

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

01. Daniel W/Gabriel - Almaze (7:14)
02. Daniel W/Gabriel - Ye-Enat Wuletawa (8:09)
03. Daniel W/Gabriel - Ayenishin Ayiche (4:51)
04. Daniel W/Gabriel - Belet Kedame (5:05)
05. Daniel W/Gabriel - Yiberdatal Bileh (4:03)
06. Daniel W/Gabriel - Lenerebet/Ehedaleu Hagere (9:18)
07. Daniel W/Gabriel - Ines Wusheten-New (3:53)
08. Daniel W/Gabriel - Helm-Elem (4:41)
09. Daniel W/Gabriel - Yiwodehal (7:46)
10. Daniel W/Gabriel - Lidgemer Chewata (5:27)
11. Daniel W/Gabriel - Eshururu (12:18)