Bole 2 Harlem - Bole 2 Harlem [vol 1] [2006]

     
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 “fuses up-to-the-minute flavors of hip hop, reggaeton, global music and the lore of traditional Ethiopian rituals” 

                                           -- David Weiss, Mix Magazine, June 2006

       This upbeat fusion of Ehtiopia world beat and Hip-hop leaves you breathless from the outset and never lets go. The opening track Bole to Harlem sets a wonderful danceable tone. One of the biggest complaints about hip hop are the repetitive and redundant themes. Its hard to not enjoy the blended rhythms of hip hop combined with bole. This is a cd you will play and before you know it, its all you want to listen to.

      

                 Rediscover the revolutionary world/urban record that Songlines Magazine calls "One of the 75 Best World Music Albums ever." 

                Bole is the entry/exit point for Ethiopia, and Harlem is the entry/exit place for African music in America. 

               Bole 2 Harlem, Volume 1 is a party, a celebration, a gift back to Ethiopia. The world can flow as one. Music is the frontier to pave the way. Originally released in 2006, Bole 2 Harlem Volume 1 was immediately hailed as a global/urban music classic. 

01. Bole 2 Harlem  4:12 

02. Hoya Hoye  4:07

03. Ensaralen Gojo  5:26

04. Ametballe  4:59 

05. Hi Loga  4:22

06. Endegena  4:50

07. Home  5:58

08. Ya Selam  3:55

09. Aya Bellew  4:44

10. Harlem 2 Bole  2:30 

11. Quralew  1:46

12. Enseralen Gojo (Remix)  8:58

13. Africaye!  2:28

Neway Debebe - Amen [2002]

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       Neway Debebe has been described as possessing a "voice of silk". A protégé of poet Tilahoun Gessesse, Debebe first attracted attention as the lead vocalist of The Roha Band, a tradition-rooted Ethiopian pop band that has supplied accompaniment on more than two hundred and fifty recordings by such top-ranked Ethiopian vocalists as Aster Aweke, Tilahoun Gessesse and Mahmoud Ahmed. 

       Debebe has also performed with Three Flowers, a group he shares with Tsegaye Eshetu and Areghagn Wersash.

01. Neway Debebe - Dehena Nat (7:16)

02. Neway Debebe - Ethiopia (7:23)

03. Neway Debebe - Amen (6:09)

04. Neway Debebe - Belay (6:25)

05. Neway Debebe - Terote Leshelemat (5:11)

06. Neway Debebe - Keremela (6:05)

07. Neway Debebe - Alewashem (6:38)

08. Neway Debebe - HoyaHoye (6:30)

09. Neway Debebe - Esua Endefekedech (7:43)

10. Neway Debebe - Alebeltem (6:20)

Gizachew Teshome - Yehuna [2008]

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01. Gizachew Teshome - Abadaghaw (5:19)
02. Gizachew Teshome - Alemeye (6:30)
03. Gizachew Teshome - Neyemela (6:12)
04. Gizachew Teshome - Yehuna (5:50)
05. Gizachew Teshome - Wello (6:21)
06. Gizachew Teshome - Alew Bleshghe (6:01)
07. Gizachew Teshome - Weye Segho Gebeya (6:36)
08. Gizachew Teshome - Gogam Atereshim (6:17)
09. Gizachew Teshome - Merea (7:00)
10. Gizachew Teshome - Seate (5:01)
11. Gizachew Teshome - Sedet (6:04)
12. Gizachew Teshome - Guragega (5:12)

Mohammed Wardi - Greatest Hits [sudan]

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          Mohammed Wardi received several nicknames throughout his career. “Africa’s Pharaoh” was at the same time the “Leftist Artist.” The man who throughout his entire life regarded himself as a crowned king of Sudanese song often focused on those less fortunate than himself in his work. 

               “The Voice of Joy” passed away Saturday in Khartoum at the age of 79.

            The exceptionally talented Wardi turned singing into a medium for seeking justice and beauty. He did not view the “leftist artist” nickname as a demagogic slogan but thought of it as a responsibility. The choices he made in his life and career seemed to revolve around living up to that title. One of these choices was his decision to become a Communist Party member alongside Sudanese Communist heavyweight Muhammad Ibrahim Naqd.

          Wardi began his life as a music teacher at Sudanese schools in the 50s. He was then involved in a union struggle to defend teachers’ rights before joining the radio as a first class singer and composer.

       Wardi began his life as a music teacher at Sudanese schools in the 50s. He was then involved in a union struggle to defend teachers’ rights before joining the radio as a first class singer and composer.

       It is hard to separate between his political beliefs and artistic choices. He built the latter on fine lyrics that succeeded in offering an “alternative song” to counter Sudanese pop songs of the era.

       Wardi’s rise to success was in a big part owed to the work he did with two distinguished poets and songwriters, Ismail Hassan and Mahjoub Sharif. It was then that he went beyond the pentatonic musical scale that was prevalent in Sudan’s music to open up new horizons for Sudanese music.

      There was also Wardi’s love for Egyptian music, which he used to add an oriental flavor to his works. Soon thereafter, he introduced Nubian tunes and instruments, such as mandolins, into Sudanese music.

      Wardi’s political and artistic commitment was tested in a country that suffered several political coups. He supported General Ibrahim Abboud’s coup in 1958. However, he then celebrated its downfall in the 1964 “October revolution.”

      Following Jaafar al-Numairi’s coup in 1969, Wardi sang odes in support of the new regime, when it still had socialist orientations, only to perform other songs calling for the fall of al-Numairi’s regime in April 1985 revolution.

      Wardi left Sudan in 1989 following the rise of Sudanese President Omar Bashir to power. He spent 13 years in voluntary exile mostly in Cairo, where he was famous before his arrival.

     Wardi left behind a reservoir of songs that have become part of the Sudanese daily life. Wardi died, but his fans all along the Nile will continue to sing his songs for years to come.

1. Mohammed Wardi - Armusal (11:33)

2. Mohammed Wardi - Alnas Algyafa (8:54)

3. Mohammed Wardi - Amir Alhusen (6:14)

4. Mohammed Wardi - Ana Arfek Ya Fouady (3:15)

5. Mohammed Wardi - Ashof Fi Shakhsak Ahlami (10:10)

6. Mohammed Wardi - Been Wa Bainak Wa Alayam (6:47)

7. Mohammed Wardi - Ghalta (6:09)

8. Mohammed Wardi - Ma Takhgali (9:14)

9. Mohammed Wardi - Sodfa (8:51)

Aster Aweke - First recordings

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original source : Awesome Tapes from Africa

Ukandanz - Yetchalal [2013] [france + ethiopia]

 NEW ALBUM  

               uKanDanZ - Yetchalal

         The French quintet  uKanDanZ , a self-described "Ethiopian Crunch Music" ensemble, is a multi-national group playing high-energy ethnic jazz/noise rock with melodies inspired by Ethiopian folk and pop music. They are fronted by the considerable vocal prowess of Asnake GUEBREYES, and sport a very lively ensemble sound, often danceable, sometimes dissonant, always rhythmic. 

        uKanDanZ... a unique style, an unusual meeting between an electric quartet and Asnake Guebreyes, charismatic leadsinger originates from the vibrant music scene in Addis Abeba.
     Their music is inspired by traditional and popular Ethiopian songs. uKanDanZ has a real crunch energy. 
      Between rock, jazz, noise... With impertinence, they rock it wildly. Without compromise. Guitar, saxophone, keyboards, drums and vocals shuffle our bearings. What a pleasure! The stage presence of uKanDanZ swings alternatelybetween energy and emotion... then the public, transcended, dances and shivers.

        Lionel MARTIN provides a very visible tenor sax presence, tying in a jazz element, and Damien CLUZEL contributes guitar (as baritone guitar) with strong evidence of Rock-In-Opposition-like stylings. Fred ESCOUFFIER handles keyboard duties, and Guilhem MEIER keeps the drums busy yet funky.

Their first album, "Yetchalal", was released in early 2013, produced by the band.

UKANDANZ are : 

Asnaké Gèbrèyès (vocals) 

Damien Cluzel (guitar and baritone guitar) 

Lionel Martin (tenor saxophone) 

Fred Escoffier (keyboards) 

Guilhem Meier (drums)