Muluken Melesse - [1983] - Muluken Melesse

          The Best of Muluken Melese - 44 Sample Tracks

            Muluken Melesse was born in northern Ethiopia province of Gojjiam. After traving extensively with his uncle a age of six settled in Addis Ababa. The phenomenally precocious Muluken Melesse 91-2-3-)was just 12 when he began his singing career in 1966 Patric Lumuba night club .Like many vocalists of the period, he started off with the different Police bands, and went on to sing with the first non-institutional groups of those founded by nightclub owners (Blue Nile Band, Zula Band, Venus Band, Equators Band...). 

        "Hedetch Alu" is the very first song he recorded on vinyl at the beginning of 1972. The All Star Band which accompanied him here was composed of Girma Beyene (piano and arrangements). Tesfa Mariam Kidane (tenor sax), Tekle Adhanonm (guitar), Fekade Amde Meskel (bass) and Tesfay Mekonnen (drums). 

       Three years later, it was with Equator Band that he recorded "Wetetie Mare and Ete Endenesh Gedawo" under the leadership of Tilaye Gebre. After one last try under the name Dahlak Band, they too went into 

exile in American,but not before recording together for Ali Tango some of the best pieces of modern Ethiopian music.

       Once in contact with American traditions, Tilaye, the tenor sax, continued to perfect his style and sound, but paid homage to his Ethiopian mentors, Tsegaye Debalqe, Habete Giorgis Aymre Germeda and Nerses Nalbandian, dedicating the instrument CD he released 20 years later in the USA to them (Shakisso Records, 1995). 

           Muluken however, abandoned his career in 1980's to devote himself to the Pentacostal church. Wishful thinking among Ethiopians regularly gives riseto rumors of a comeback, but none has materialised as yet.

        When Muluken Melesse came to the scene, he brought the Balager Sound, the "Ethiopian Roots Music" of the rural villages in Ethiopia to cosmopolitan Addis Ababa , reversing the trend of simply aping  Western 

music.

     Muluken captured that essence and the entire feel of the "Real Ethiopia". In Ethiopia's poetic tradition there are the sam-ennawarq (wax and gold) verses , songs that are apparently about love, but subliminally they level serious criticism at the rulers and political or social conditions.

album with Roha Band arranged by Dawit Yifru and Muluken Melesse

1. Muluken Melesse - Yelibe Endiders (7:35)

2. Muluken Melesse - Akal Gela (7:27)

3. Muluken Melesse - Enes Emamaye (5:35)

4. Muluken Melesse - Fikir New (7:07)

5. Muluken Melesse - Instrumental (3:02)

6. Muluken Melesse - Tilant Zare Aydelem (6:01)

7. Muluken Melesse - Misikir Eyaye,Bati,Tey Minew (19:13)

8. Muluken Melesse - Tekelkey Bawaji (5:30)

Dawit Yifru - keyboards,

Selam Syoum - lead guitar, 

Giovanni Rico Bonsignori - bass guitar,

Eliyas Bekele - drums, 

Yonas Degefa - saxophone,

Fikade Amdemeskel - saxophone

v.a. - Ethiopian Urban & Tribal Music - vol. 2 - Gold from wax [2000]

                               R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       Gold from Wax, which was originally released in 1972 by Lyrichord Records, features two very different styles of music: the music of Addis Ababa, which synthesizes the music of many different areas into a unique style, and the music of several different tribal areas, each of which retain their regional identity. 

       The collection is very diverse in the musical genres that it represents as well as the kinds of instruments that the songs are played on, from a variety of drums, to thumb pianos, to the bagana - an instrument sometimes called the "Harp of David." 

       Among the more interesting selections, "Anche-Lej-Amaleh" is a song about sex that was recorded in a tin-roofed bar in Addis Ababa where the musicians were crowded up against one wall and the customers and bar girls packed the rest of the space. "Fanno" is an epic poem set to music by Addis Ababa poet Mary Armeede that has many levels of meaning. Among the tribal selections, one of the most fascinating is "Walla-Lam," an Afar divination chant where the participants chant and ask questions of a jinele, or divination medium, and he answers them. This interesting document of Ethiopian music is wrapped up by the last track, which features an Afar flute player recorded in a building in the middle of the Danakil desert. ~ Stacia Proefrock

01 - Eyo, Dorze Song
02 - Kofu
03 - Anche-Lej-Amaleh
04 - Bagana See All 2
05 - Galla Song See All 2
06 - Konso Song
07 - Msgana
08 - Fanno
09 - Harambeh Africa
10 - FILA Flute Dance
11 - Nuer Wire Strung Harp
12 - Jung Nai
13 - Anauk Toum, Thumb Piano (Sanza)
14 - Walla-Lam
15 - Afar Flute

Trio Kazanchis - Live [Ethio Event 20.11.2009 at the OCCII] [2009] [ned+eth]

          Ethiopian groove and roots with a European improv/punk touch. This powerful trio features Mèssèlè Asmamaw and his suave voice and funky, Hendrix-style krar (traditional Ethiopian lyre), the acknowledged drummer Fabien Duscombs of Le Tigre (des Platanes) fame, and the multi-instrumentalist Jeroen Visser, who hails from the Dutch punk scene of the 1980s.

        The Trio Kazanchis manages to produce a hi-energy mix which finds it's roots in ethiopian groove, having traditional melodies and songs as a starting point. However they can as easily follow a melodic line and traditional rhythm as drop it and letting the dynamics of the moment decide. Improvisation, a hardly known angle in traditional Ethiopian music, plays a substantial part. The sometimes Hendrix like krar mixes great with the pure farfisa sound, Wyatt resonant, and Fabien's forward drumming style. 

       After the compilation of the album Ethiopiques by Frances Falceto which helped bind Ethiopian music of the 50’s and 60’s together, bands comprising a mix of Ethiopian and foreigner musicians have become common, over the last ten years.

       These bands have one or two foreigners as band members, and do their music by fusing Ethiopian songs and beats.

      Akale Wube, a French band, for instance, plays Ethiopian music by fusing it with different sounds. 

        Jazzmaries (a blend of Jazz and Azmaries), and Ukandanz play songs with only the vocal being Ethiopian. 

       Kazanchis band which also fuses Ethiopian music with different sounds and foreign instruments falls in that category. 

       Fusing old Ethiopian music with funk and rock, they label their music as ‘Ethiopian traditional Impro punk’ giving alternative style for Ethiopian songs such as Muluken Melesse’s famous song ‘Nanu Nanu Ney’ and songs like ‘Etutu Beredegn.

   Touring Ethiopia between January 6 and 25 2011., the trio presented their performance at various venues such as Guramyle, Fendika, and Alliance Ethio-Franciase, in Addis Ababa, including in Nazareth and Awassa. They are also scheduled to perform in different cities of the country.

    The band was established in 2009. by Mesele and Jeroen. They were joined later by Fabien to form the band Kazanchis with their first gig as a band in Kazanchis.

    The band, based in Switzerland, has performed on international stages, including France, Holland, Belgium, Prague, and the Check Republic. They also took part in different festivals. 

   When they first started, three of them came up with their individual collection and did their own recordings. They also researched on how they should play, according to Mesele.

   “Even if they knew the music it was a bit difficult to internalize. But playing Ethiopian music before establishing this band wasn’t difficult to catch up,” explains Messele.

         Messele says the kirar, the traditional music instrument gave their music a unique sound and says proudly that the feedback so far has been a blessing in a short period of time.  

       On the band’s performance outside Addis, Messele had his own reservations when it comes to the response they received from the audience, especially Awassa and Nazareth, where the band received acclamation.

         He said he found the response unexpected. “Sometimes, there is an assumption on the understanding of the music. Addis has exposure for these kinds of fusions but I had my doubts when it comes to the other cities but it was unexpected for us,” Messele said.

        Whenever they play on the stage, Mesele and his partners improvise the music, experiment with different songs and, create new sounds and give flavor to the old Ethiopian music.

    “Improvising on the stage is not easy. There should be a clear understanding on what’s going on, and I think we have that understanding. So it’s easy to do what we want and we were able to not to repeat what we played yesterday,” comments Mesele.

       Mesele says the band is promoting Ethiopian music internationally and also reviving the lost sounds of Ethiopian music to the younger generation.

     With encouraging feedback from music lovers so far, Messele sees a good prospect for the band in the future.

    “The feedback has been really great and we are asked to play in different countries like Turkey, Spain and Portugal. So we will see how it goes,” Messele said.

 Personnel: 

Jeroen Visser   (vocals, baritone saxophone, 

farfisa, organ)

Fabien Duscombs    (vocals, drums)

Mèssèlè Asmamaw   (krar, vocals)

v.a. - Old Gold of Ethiopia [4 cd]

       Here is a small summer present for all readers of this blog. Music for dance, talk and love. Rare and old ethiopian grooves. 210 minutes of pure joy and happiness

      The author of this blog is preparing for the vacation. There will be no new posts untill mid of september.

      Enjoy ethiopian music, write, comment and suggest.

                                                                                                    B.

cd 1 

01. Telahun Guesese & Mohamud Ahmed - Ye Meegeeb Aynetoch (6:11)
02. Telahun Gesese - Abat Des Yelewahal (6:53)
03. Wubshaw Sileshi - Yih New Getinet (3:24)
04. Abebe H. Micael & Walias Band - Ya Gabrie (2:49)
05. Samuel Belay - Aynotchesh Yerefu (3:08)
06. Alemayehu Eshete and Hirut Beqele - Temeles (3:20)
07. Menelik Wossenachew - Lantchi Biye (3:07)
08. Menelik Wossenachew - Mekaberene Liyew (3:31)
09. Menelik Wossenachew - Chereka (3:14)
10. Bizunesh Bekele - Felagote (2:54)
11. Bezunesh Bekele - Meegnoten Man Yawkal (4:13)
12. Bezunesh Bekele - Sintun Ayehu Bante (4:23)
13. Hirut Bekele - Almokèrkum Nèbèr (3:23)
14. Hirut Bekele - Essu Nèw Mèssèlègn (2:47)
15. Wallias Band - Muziqawi Silt (3:46)



cd 2

16. Hirut Bekele - unknown track (5:03)
17. Seifu Yohanes - Metche Dershe (3:58)
18. Seifu Yohanes - Hana (3:53)
19. Girma Beyene - Ene Negn Bay Manesh (4:02)
20. Girma Negash - Yen Hassab (3:50)
21. Girma Beyene - Fikir Ende Kirar (3:35)
22. Lema Demissew - Astawesalehu (4:05)
23. Lema Demissew - Adrashash Tefabeegn (2:42)
24. Mulatu Astatke - Maskaram Setaba (1:47)
25. Bahta Gebre Heywet - Ancheem Ende Layla (2:49)
26. Bahta Gebre Heywet - Tessassategn Eko (4:05)
27. Merwaye Yohanes - Soube Keremela (3:08)
28. Bezunesh Bekele - Fikir Habeet Iko New (3:03)
29. Bezunesh Bekele - Wode Metahubet Mender (3:47)



cd 3

30. Bahta Gebre Heywet - Ewnet Yet Lagegnesh (2:47)
31. Tesfa Maryam Kidane - Yetesfa Tezeta (2:40)
32. Mulatu Astatke - Kasalefkut Hulu (2:46)
33. Mulatu Astatke - Yekermo Sew (4:15)
34. Mulatu Astatke - Emnete (3:26)
35. Mulatu Astatke - Netsanet (5:35)
36. Tesfa Mariam Kidane - Heywete (5:17)
37. Teshome Mitiku - Yekermo Sew (4:18)
38. Teshome Mitiku - Hassabe (3:57)
39. Seyoum Gebreyes & Alem-Girma Band - Hametagnaw (3:25)
40. Teferi Feleke - Aynamayé (2:15)
41. Alemayehu Eshete and Hirut Beqele - Temeles (3:20)
42. Getatchew Kassa & Soul Ekos Band - Bey Lesnabetesh (4:03)
43. Wubshèt Fisseha & Exception Five Band - Sew endayhin Yellem (3:38)



cd 4

44. Getatchew Mekurya - Almaz Yeharerwa (3:48)
45. Muluken Mellesse - Embwa Belew (3:59)
46. Bezunesh Bekele & Imperial Bodyguard Band - Bezunesh Bekele & Imperial Bodyguard Band (1:58)
47. Bezunesh Bekele - Tegel New (3:31)
48. Hirut Bekele & Police Orchestra - Ewnetegna Feqer (3:15)
49. Hirut Bekele - Demam Konjo (5:24)
50. Abbebe Tessemma - Gebru Guratch Gute (2:45)
51. Seyoum Gebreyes and Wallias Band - Muziqa Muziqa (3:46)
52. Teshomé Mitiku - Yèzeèmèd Yèbaed (3:52)
53. Ayalew Mesfin - Lene Antchi Bitcha Nesh (4:00)
54. Tamrat Ferendji & Sensation Band - Antchin Yagegnulet (4:04)
55. Ayalew Mesfin - Hasabe (4:00)
56. Alemayehu Eshete - Eskegizew Bertchi (3:17)
57. The Ashantis - I Wanna Do My Thing (3:54)

Eyob Mekonnen - Ende Kal [2010]

   R.I.P.   

 Popular Ethiopian reggae singer 

Eyob Mekonnen has died.

    Eyob Mekonnen (12 October 1975 - 18 August 2013) was an Ethiopian reggae singer. His songs were well known for their themes of "love, understanding, and respect".

     Eyob was born in Jijiga in 1975, during the start of the Ethiopian Civil War. His father, Mekonnen Yalem, was an officer in the Ethiopian Army during the war in Eritrea, which was credited with inspiring him to impart peaceful messages in songs such as "Nekchalehu" and "Negen Layew".

He moved to Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, when he was young, and attended school whilst maintaining an interest in music.

       He joined a five-person band called the Zion Band, which was described as having a "reggae beat with a distinctive Ethiopian cast".The band became a fixture at popular clubs in Addis Ababa, performing opening acts for popular singers like Haileye Tadesse, who sung songs like "Song of the Dominions" and "Anthem of the Movement". His musical style was unique, not only mixing popular Amharic music with reggae, but also Oromo popular music, counting Ali Birra as one of his major influences, alongside Bob Marley. 

       In 2010, he released his first album, Ende Kal. Although lukewarmly received by audiences at first, as it differed from the often synthesized, electronic music that had prevailed since the era of the Derg and the demise of the big bands of the Haile Selassie era. Slowly, however, the album gained a following and "great national acclaim".

       His songs dealt with issues of and promoted "morality, love, peace and social consciousness", themes that made them popular and hard-hitting. In 2010 he embarked on a campaign called "Finding Peace" to help heal rifts caused by the disputes in the parliamentary elections.

     In 2012 he released two singles; "Beyemehalu" and "Negen Layew". He was beginning to tour abroad, particularly in Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.

       On 13 August 2013 Eyob suffered a ischemic stroke brought on by atrial fibrillation and entered a coma, however he was in otherwise good health. His fans and his promoter, Yisakal Entertainment, took to Facebook to post updates on his conditions and raise funds for his treatment on a page called "Let Us Pray for Eyob Mekonnen". Due to these efforts, Eyob was moved to Nairobi on 17 August, however he died on 18 August due to complications. He was credited with sparking a movement towards live music and away from so called "one man bands" and furthering the popularity of reggae and roots music in Ethiopia.

01. Eyob Mekonnen - Nekchalehu (3:44)

02. Eyob Mekonnen - Negen Layew (5:35)

03. Eyob Mekonnen - Yene Konjo duet with Zeritu Kebede (3:51)

04. Eyob Mekonnen - Yemeder Dershaya (6:09)

05. Eyob Mekonnen - Endatefash (4:02)

06. Eyob Mekonnen - Debezezesh (6:26)

07. Eyob Mekonnen - Yezebarekalu (5:04)

08. Eyob Mekonnen - Ye Ewenetuan New (4:45)

09. Eyob Mekonnen - Yekunkua Felasefa (4:45)

10. Eyob Mekonnen - Wekil Nesh (3:07)

11. Eyob Mekonnen - Rekeda (5:06)

12. Eyob Mekonnen - Man ende kal (Nothing like a promise) (4:16)

Teshome Mitiku - 10 years [1999-2009]

Teshome Mitiku - Senseless War

          Teshome Mitiku has had a legendary 40-year career at the heart of Ethiopian music, forming the massively popular Soul Ekos Band in Addis Ababa in the 1960s.

       The Soul Ekos Band was the first to combine traditional Ethiopian music with the sounds of electric soul and popular music from the West. They were absolute superstars, playing regularly in front of crowds of 60,000 in Ethiopia, Sudan & Kenya.

       In the late 60's, Teshome (singer/keyboard), Theodros "Teddy" Mitiku (alto saxophone), Tamrat Ferendji (trumpet), Fekade Amde-Meskel (bass), Tesfaye Mekonnen (drums), Alula Yohannes (guitar) and Seifu Yohannes (singer) joined to form the influential Soul Ekos Band. The band released numerous songs, including 4 tracks written by Teshome like Gara Ser New Betesh, Yezemed Yebada, Mot Adeladlogn and Hasabe. 

Teshome Mitiku is featured on volumes 1, 4 and 10 of the celebrated Ethiopiques series from Buda Records, featuring thrilling discoveries from the vibrant Ethiopian music scene of the 1970s. 

His songs have also appeared on the popular Rough Guide series of world music compilations.

            Here is a compilation from his latest three albums : Yegna Neger, Yesterday & Today, Topia's Deluge and collaboration with Frehiwot Lemma from album Zefen.

01. Teshome Mitiku - Ambati (5:11)

02. Teshome Mitiku - Almazye (5:15)

03. Teshome Mitiku - Yegna Neger (8:13)

04. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Bati (7:46)

05. Teshome Mitiku - Photoyen Ayechew (4:52)

06. Teshome Mitiku - Senseless War (6:57)

07. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Eshururu (5:06)

08. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Kante Gar (5:58)

09. Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Susegnash (6:08)

10. Teshome Mitiku - Leader-less People (6:10)

11. Teshome Mitiku - Gimash Sewenete (6:45)