v.a. - Somalia Sings Songs of the New Era [1972]

1. Abdi Muhumud & Waberi Artists - 01 - Aynaanka Hay (3:44)
2. Moh'd Suleiman & Hibo Mohamed - 02 - Gobanimo (8:12)
3. Waberi Artists & Students - 03 - Soomalida manta (6:16)
4. Ahmed Ali Egal & Waberi Artists - 04 - Ha Iilan (4:32)
5. Abdi ALi Baalwani & Daleis - 05 - Midab Gumeisi Diida (7:54)

Tigist Bekele - Sakitaw [2002]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

Tigist Bekele - Sakitaw [2002]

01. Tigist Bekele - Teretahu (5:46)
02. Tigist Bekele - Sakitaw (5:13)
03. Tigist Bekele - Gash Abera Molla (4:42)
04. Tigist Bekele - Langano (5:21)
05. Tigist Bekele - Tequadeskut (5:04)
06. Tigist Bekele - Bederaw Ketema (4:47)
07. Tigist Bekele - Le'egru Wuha Yimuklet (6:17)
08. Tigist Bekele - Ewnetegna (5:12)
09. Tigist Bekele - Gella (4:04)
10. Tigist Bekele - Gerageru (5:58)
11. Tigist Bekele - Ayihalehu (3:59)

Setegn Atanaw - Gonder [1997]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       The masinko is a violin-like instrument widely used in Ethiopia where it is played by secular poet-musicians rather like the troubadours of medieval Europe. These professional musicians play at festivals, family celebrations such as weddings, and in bars. Some are beggars who play in the street for alms.

       The masinko is made out of wood with a sound box covered by an animal skin. The single string is made out of braided horse hair. Some ethnomusicologists think the masinko is related to a similar Muslim instrument called the rebabah. Both instruments are stringed and are played with a bow

     Over the years, Setegn Atanaw has become known as one of the best Masinko players in Ethiopia. 

      Although Gonder is Setegn's first solo album, he has performed on many other artists' recordings while in Ethiopia, most notably the renowned Ethiopian arranger Mulatu Astatke. Setegn has also written compositions for many Ethiopian artists. While in Ethiopia, Setegn was selected to represent Ethiopia in an international cultural concert tour, bringing the music of his homeland to such countries as Korea, Japan, Italy, Russia, Canada and the United States.

       Setegn Atanaw started his professional career in 1995 with the Gish Abaye musical group in Bahir Dar, Gojam (a northern Ethiopian province). In 1990, he moved to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, and joined the National Theater Cultural Center.Over the years Setegn has become known as one of the best Masinko players in Ethiopia. 

       In 1993, Setegn Atanaw emigrated to the United States and joined the well-known traditional group the Nile Ethiopian Ensemble in Washington, D.C. With this exciting musical group, he has performed in places like the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Lincoln Center, Harvard University and many more!

Bahru Kegne - The Best Of [2000]

        Bahru Kegne (1929-2000) was a legendary azmari, who was even a private court-player under Haile Selassie, then the ‘free newspaper’ in the communist days and recording some amazing ‘modern’ cassettes in the last years of his life. 

He sings and played masinko, traditional ethiopian instrument.

Deep, hypnotic, trance-like music, and unlike things published before.

1. Bahru Kegne - Ashebel Gedaye (4:58)

2. Bahru Kegne - Derbabaye (7:10)

3. Bahru Kegne - Mela Mela (6:39)

4. Bahru Kegne - Yaz Ejwan (7:40)

5. Bahru Kegne - Bati (5:41)

6. Bahru Kegne - Yehuna (7:51)

7. Bahru Kegne - Kalu (8:01)

8. Bahru Kegne - Ambasel (5:59)

9. Bahru Kegne - Shelela (4:55)

Dawit Senbetta - Instrumental music

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

                                                              Dawit Senbetta - Bati

01. Dawit Senbetta - Aqim (4:36)

02. Dawit Senbetta - Qumetish (4:59)

03. Dawit Senbetta - Gubiliye (7:27)

04. Dawit Senbetta - Hode (7:27)

05. Dawit Senbetta - Ketifat Aldinim (4:33)

06. Dawit Senbetta - Arada (6:20)

07. Dawit Senbetta - Enkuan Qome (5:29)

08. Dawit Senbetta - Yefikir Wetmed New (5:20)

09. Dawit Senbetta - Instrumental (5:00)

10. Dawit Senbetta - Na Lideribilih (5:53)

Abiyou Solomon - In Search of My Roots [2008]

               R  E  U  P  L  O  A  D   

       Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Abiyou Solomon began his love affair with the guitar when he watched his older brother tinker with the instrument around the house. At age 14, his brother bought him his first acoustic guitar and, soon after, he started playing at St. Francesco Theology College. While in high school he joined the Medhane Alem school band and, in his senior year, he played with the Alazarist Mission school band.

        It was Genene Nebebe who recruited Abiyou to join the Genet Hotel Band. He next joined the Zambezi Club band and after a short period with them, he joined the Hotel D’Afrique band, led by Genene. He later joined the second incarnation of the Dahlak Band. In 1982, he joined the Hager Fikir Theatre Band and it was then that he first fell truly in love with the varied cultural music of Ethiopia. Also during this period, Abiyou had the pleasure to play with Abebe Kassa (alto saxophone) and Negusse Assefa (tenor saxophone). He would be reunited with Negusse when they formed the Abyssinia Band.

        During his stint at the Hager Fikir Theatre, famed Ethiopian producer and arranger, Abegasu Shiota, persuaded Abiyou to switch to the bass guitar and he was soon asked to join the Ethio Stars band as a bass player, a post he eventually left to become a studio musician/arranger. In this role, he was involved in the production of 150+ recordings, working with a multitude of famous traditional and contemporary musicians, including Bahru Kegne, Yirga Dubale, Assnaketch Werku, Lemma Gebrehiwot, Abebe Tessema, Theodros Tadesse, Tsegaye Eshetu, Teshome Assegid, Kuku Sebsibe, Wubshet Fisseha, Martha Ashagari, Setegn Atanaw and many more.

        In 1991, Abiyou joined the Abyssinia Band as a bassist. Their first gig was on the 1991 Ethiopian New Year. The following year, the band recorded five tracks for a Swedish compilation CD, Music from Ethiopia. The CD’s success in Sweden led to a tour of country, along with a performance at Etnosoi in Finland. Abiyou Solomon and The Abyssinia Band were also featured in the book, Rough Guide to World Music Volume One: Africa, Europe & the Middle East.

        After the Abyssinia Band disbanded, Abiyou returned to being a session bassist until he moved to the United States in 1995, when he became a sought-after tour bassist. In that capacity, he has backed Mahmoud Ahmed, Aster Aweke, Theodros Tadesse, Hamelmal Abate, Tsehaye Yohannes, Neway Debebe and countless others. Apart from this album, Abiyou has released an Ethiopian Instrumental CD titled Abiy, and he produced and arranged Maritu Legesse’s Yebati Nigest. Currently, Abiyou resides in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is reforming the Abyssinia band.

        Abiyou Solomon’s new CD, “In Search of my Roots” showcases Ethiopian/world music and shows how this music has carried into the 21st century while retaining it’s traditional roots.

           Many instruments can be heard on this CD, along with Ethiopian singing and vocal styles. Abiyou Solomon was born in Addis Ababa. He began getting interested in the guitar by watching his older brother play around the house.  His brother later bought him his first acoustic,which he started playing at St. Francesco Theology College. He later joined the Genet Hotel band.

        In 1982, he joined the Hager Fikir Theatre Band. During his stint there,famous Ethiopian producer Abegasu Shiota convinced him to switch to electric bass guitar. He became an in-demand session bassist in America after this decision.

         “Erikum Wello” has a repetitive quality that is hypnotizing.The vocals and the sound effects used are very different. The instruments used on this track are what the listener focuses on. You can hear drums and traditional sounds,along with horns. 

         “Hasa Konso” has an early ‘70s funk sound. The tone of the electric bass really sticks out on this track.There is an auto-wah effect that is being used on the synth that is cool. Basically,there are many great sound effects used throughout this album with great musicianship.

         “Ethiopia 2000” is another funky track. Musicians should listen to CDs such as this to get ideas for creating original music. All the music here is original -- great horns, solid bass tones,and tons of traditional instruments.

        Overall, Abiyou Solomon’s “ In search of my roots” retains the true sounds of traditional Ethiopian and world music with wonderful musicianship.