Seleshe Demassae - Songs from Ethiopia today [1993]

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       This album has a collection of fun, upbeat, and playful songs. It is unusual in the sense that it is a collection of childrens play songs but its great beats and rhythm make it a definite must have...

 Seleshe Damassae - Hoya Hoya

Souleymane Toure (talking drum, djembe)

Fuad Temam, Zemene Abuhay, Bisrat Lenna, Abiy Alemayehu, Fasid Lemmar, Shewanqziwe Abate, Abiy Letachew Abebe, Tadesse Woyessa, Getachew Zewdie (background vocals)

1. Eté Meté    2:29

2. Degegna    4:20

3. Tewale    5:14

4. Ya Megalé    3:53

5. Degé            5:46

6. Ché            4:15

7. Endeyawes    5:42

8. Worio Wata 4:37

9. Alé Hoy    2:34

10. Denbouche    2:24

11. Ere Amsal    4:48

12. Agaro            3:29

13. Neterek    4:29

14. Ambasel    6:28

15. Segno Maskegno 3:26

16. Aya Ho Ho    4:35

Jano - Ertale [2012] [ethiopia]

JANO - An Ethiopian rock explosion melodies, massive bass and drum poly rhythms, metal guitar assault, soaring vocals, dense electronic textures.

A devastating energy blast! So far, there has been nothing this powerful and versatile that might be associated with "word music". African futurism at its most liberated and intense, a hard rock element unheard of in Ethiopian music, until now, its the New Rock Revolution.

JANO BAND - Erikum

The ensemble cast drips with talent. Guitarist Michael Hailu supplies the force with huge metal riffs and a detailed harmonic sense. The dual vocals of Debekelu Tafesse and Hailu Amerga are complete contrast with each other. Back and forth, one after another, creating a completely unexpected dynamic that never let's up.

The vision of this music is awe-inspiring.The raw talent, energy and power of the group is overwhelming. It is a musical earth quake the likes of which we haven't seen in generation.the next generation of world music has arrived with a mighty explosion. Stand and behold!

The tracks on JANO's debut release are a tour de force of Ethiopian music reinvented with the intense energy of a rock band and the barley restrained fury of a youth already seeking redemption-a clear parallel to the smoldering volcano in northeast Ethiopia that is namesake for the album, Ertale.

ERTALE was produced by the legendary producer and musician Bill Laswell who has worked with an extraordinary range of musicians, artists and thinkers around the world. In the Americans Africa, The Caribbean, Europe, The middle East, India, China and Japan.

JANO was created and managed by Trio Entertainment, which was founded by Addis Gessese (Ziggy Marely, Teddy Afro and Gigi) and Ermiyas Amelga, Founder Chairman and CEO of the Access Group of Companies. JANO is destined to conquer the world.

This is not just an introduction to a new music but to the history of a diverse culture unlike any other. Ethiopia, the only African Country not to be colonized by foreign powers, champions of the battle of Adwa.

Enjoy JANO band!

Jano - 01 - Ethiopiawit Konjo (4:07)

Jano - 02 - Yigermal (4:59)

Jano - 03 - Irasen (6:21)

Jano - 04 - Ayrak (5:05)

Jano - 05 - Irrekum (5:06)

Jano - 06 - Gude (6:53)

Jano - 07 - Mariye (6:55)

Jano - 08 - Mehed Mehed (6:28)

Jano - 09 - Tazebkut (7:06)

Jano - 10 - Anchi Hegere (4:04)

Muluken Melesse - 3+1 [ethiopia]

       Muluken Melesse (born 1954) was an Ethiopian singer and drummer who later abandoned his music career to involve himself in the Pentecostal Church. Melesse was born in Gojjiam, a province in Northern Ethiopia. When he was six, he moved to Addis Ababa with his uncle. In 1966, aged 12, he began his musical career singing at night clubs and in groups founded by night club owners, with his first song to be performed on stage, Enate Sitewoldgne Metchi Amakerchign.

       His first song to be recorded on vinyl was Hedetch Alu, which was recorded in 1972 by Girma Bèyènè (piano and arrangements), Tesfa Mariam Kidane (tenor sax), Tekle Adhanonm (guitar), Fekade Amde Meskel (bass), Tesfay Mekonnen (drums) and Melesse himself. In 1975, he recorded his second song, Wetetie Mare and Ete Endenesh Gedawo, with 'Equator Band', and a year later in 1976 he recorded what was to be his last song, Ney Ney Wodaje. While the remained of the band emigrated to the United States of America, Melesse remained to join the Pentecostal Church in the 1980s, having ended his musical career.

      "In the early 1980 Muluken accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his saviour and Lord. From his own testimony, he chose to follow Jesus Christ completely by leaving the world behind. Since then He served the Lord with all his heart. 

       Muluken was approached by people a lot of time to return to the music world but he preferred to be with the people of the Lord and minister to them. Muluke is married and resides in Washington DC metropolitan area. He ministers by traveling all over the world.

 

Muluken Melesse - Nanu Nanu Ney  [with Dahlak Band]

01. Muluken Melesse - Nanu Nanu Ney (6:05)
02. Muluken Melesse - Wodijesh Nebere (8:03)
03. Muluken Melesse - Aynuma (4:02)
04. Muluken Melesse - Embuwa Bey Lamitu (6:48)
05. Muluken Melesse - Nafkote (5:55)
06. Muluken Melesse - Kemekem (6:37)
07. Muluken Melesse - Gedamay (5:14)
08. Muluken Melesse - Yene Konjo (6:25)
09. Muluken Melesse - Bematebuwa Ledagni (6:13)
10. Muluken Melesse - Minew Hode Baba (6:39)

Nanu Nanu Ney -   No. 2  

album with Dahlak Band Arranged by Dawit Yifru And Muluken Melesse,

Piano - Dawit Yifru,

Ledguitar - David Kassa, 

Bassguitar - Abera Fiyesa, 

Drum - Tesfaye Tesmma ,

Saxaphone - Tilaye Gebre, 

Trumpet - Shimeles Beyene.

Produced by Electra Music shope

 

Muluken Melesse - Lakiligne [with Dahlak Band]

01. Muluken Melesse - Lakilign (8:15)

02. Muluken Melesse - Minew Kerefede (8:22)

03. Muluken Melesse - Zebenay (6:06)

04. Muluken Melesse - Gelayewa (7:24)

05. Muluken Melesse - Fikir Teru Engida (9:24)

06. Muluken Melesse - Baynish Lilefibet (7:07)

07. Muluken Melesse - Goferesh (5:19)

08. Muluken Melesse - Bergit Agegnish Woy (9:21)

Lakilegne - No. 5 album with Dahlak Band, 

Arranged by Dawit Yifru and David Kassa 

Lyrics Alemtsehay Wedajo,

Melody Muluken Melesse and Halilayasues Amare,

Piano - Dawit Yifru,

Ledguitar - David Kassa, 

Bassguitar - Abera Fiyesa, 

Drums - Tesfaye Tesmma 

Saxaphone - Tilaye Gebre,

Trumpet - Shimeles Beyene.

Produced by Central Electronics Music Shope

Muluken Melesse - Wuha Welawaye  [with Ethio Star Band]

01. Muluken Melesse - Wuha Welawaye (7:09)

02. Muluken Melesse - Tizaz Begelaye (7:20)

03. Muluken Melesse - Demam Gonie (7:01)

04. Muluken Melesse - Kuretilign Hode (7:05)

05. Muluken Melesse - Zeb Lekum (5:25)

06. Muluken Melesse - Lewozawoz (6:44)

07. Muluken Melesse - Atekebdegnim (6:09)

08. Muluken Melesse - Endet Lechalew (5:41)

Wuha Welawaye   -   No. 7 album  with Ethio Star Band 

Arranged by Muluken Melesse and Mulatu Astatke 

Ledguitar - Mengsha Teffra, 

Bassguitar - David Kassa,

Drums - Berhane Yosef, 

Keyboards - Abegasu Kebrework,

Conga,Keyboard,Drums - Mulatu Astatke,

Saxophone - Girma Woldemichael, 

Saxophone - Teshome Deneke,

Trumpet - Shimeles Beyene.

Muluken Melesse - Muluken Melesse vol 1 [1999]

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01. Muluken Melesse - Menew Keferede (8:18)

02. Muluken Melesse - Nanu Ney (6:24)

03. Muluken Melesse - Hodenew (7:54)

04. Muluken Melesse - Akale Gena (6:28)

05. Muluken Melesse - Sewenetua (7:49)

06. Muluken Melesse - Gelayewa (8:18)

07. Muluken Melesse - Wodejesh Neber (5:35)

08. Muluken Melesse - Demam Gone (6:35)

09. Muluken Melesse - Embwa Belew (3:59)

10. Muluken Melesse - Tenesh Kelbe Lay (4:28)

Minyeshu - Dire Dawa [2008] [ethiopia]

       A train line winds from Djibouti to the Ethiopian capital Addis Abeba. On this track lies Dire Dawa, a city raised on both spirit and turmoil planted on a track that heads on to a higher plateau. Dire Dawa is the name of Minyeshu's birthplace.

       Minyeshu left home to join the Ethiopian National Theater in Addis at an early age. Her opinionated and resolute nature created conflict enough to force her from her homeland, and ultimately to the awaiting platforms of Europe. Minyeshu is a stunning performer. Her voice sings and her body dances the stories of centuries of tribal development and strife, the plight of the refugee, and the vibrations that resonate through every human soul.

       This CD is the registration of Minyeshu's arrival in Western Civilization. She roots herself seamlessly with western musical elements to create an enchanting new genre: this Ethiopian music has depth, dynamic and emotional nuance; this Western music has primal energy, exotic heritage and a natural ground shaking pulse. 

1. An Ode to Friends Who Have Passed On] Halafi Nen Kealem (Serra) [Life and Death

2. Wosenku [I Have Decided]

3. Selam Lehtsanat [Peace for the Children]

4. Tileshign Athidg

5. Dire Dawa [Home of My Earliest Memories]

6. Afrika [Africa I Must Tell You This]

7. Like-Neh [Love Renewed]

8. Buna

9. Sidama Manaho

10. Ker-Yihun (Gurage) [A Song for a Friend of Gurage Heritage]

11. Ayasresam - Tzita [Song of Longing for a Memory]

Personnel:

Jodie Kean, Izaline Calister, Lilian Vieira (vocals); 
Zoumana Diarra (guitar, kora); 
Edward Capel (clarinet, saxophone).

v.a. - The Harp of Apollo [Songs Accompanied by the Krar] [1989]

       A nice collection of both semi-ancient and relatively recent songs from Ethiopia, accompanied by the krar (a harp said to have been played by the Apollo, the Greek God) as well as the masanko, a single-stringed fiddle similar to the rebab. 

       The music is nice -- vocals work around one another, and the constant instrumental looping helps to move the song through itself. Being essentially the only area untouched by colonial powers in the scramble for Africa period, Ethiopia kept its traditions relatively pure and un-Westernized. 

           The influences that do show here though are mostly Egyptian, West Asian, and maybe North African. The only major thing lacking here would be more extensive liner notes - that is, more extensive English liner notes (the Japanese portion seems to be quite extensive). Other than that, it's a nice collection of Ethiopian forms. ~ Adam Greenberg

Recorded Mar. 18, 1989, JVC Aoyama Studio, Tokyo.

Getachew Abdi, kebero ; 

Kute Ojulu, kirar, tomm ; 

Elias Tebabal, vocals, masanko ; 

Konsso song (3:15) 

Gonder gjam (4:41) 

Shewa oromo song (4:07) 

Harrar oromo song (7:14) 

Shankila song (4:28)

Tomm (2:03) 

Tigringna song (3:57) 

Na gamme love song (3:13) 

Gurague song (3:20) 

An'chi jidg (4:03) 

Wollaita song (4:00) 

Keberro (2:35) 

Ethiopian classical melodies (7:31)