Theodros Tadesse - Zimita [1997]

   R   E   P   U   L   O   A   D   

        Tewodros Taddesse/ Theodros Tadesse  is regarded as a role model by famous musicians of this time, including Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro). 

        His music has won him wide acclaim and acceptance, especially his last album, “Zimta” (Silence) made with a modern musical composition by Abegazu Kibrework. 

       He recently appeared on the collection album which artists in America made for HIV/AIDS education entitled “Ennoralen Gena” (We will survive).

01 - Begudde Ewotana (5:44)

02 - Zimita (6:32)

03 - Be-Ayne Metash Woy (7:06)

04 - Kerehugne Tekije (5:42)

05 - Tena-Adam (6:13)

06 - Albo (5:41)

07 - Hulle Menash Mulu (5:34)

08 - Melegna (5:09)

09 - Girma Mogese (7:44)

10 - Ketemaw (5:09)

Ephrem Tamiru - Ye'hese'-ken'-Balefe [2004]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       Ephrem Tamiru is one of the best Ethiopian musician since 70's. 
Infact he is still successful artist in Ethiopia.  

1. Ephrem Tamiru - Enedeset (6:23)

2. Ephrem Tamiru - Alader Tegneche (8:42)

3. Ephrem Tamiru - Atawquatem (7:04)

4. Ephrem Tamiru - Ye-Hese-Ken-Balefe (7:09)

5. Ephrem Tamiru - Yawlesh Menguedu (5:33)

6. Ephrem Tamiru - Medhanite (7:34)

7. Ephrem Tamiru - Kir Alegne (6:38)

8. Ephrem Tamiru - Ye-Chat (5:46)

Enjoy!

Ephrem Tamiru - Hualla Endaykocheshe [2006] [ethiopia]

01. Ephrem Tamiru - Yemejemeria (6:34)

02. Ephrem Tamiru - Konjo lij nesh (6:01)

03. Ephrem Tamiru - Huala endaykochesh (6:33)

04. Ephrem Tamiru - Salasebew (7:09)

05. Ephrem Tamiru - Mulu gojam (7:02)

06. Ephrem Tamiru - Walshesa bayne

07. Ephrem Tamiru - Kim alizem banchi (5:35)

08. Ephrem Tamiru - Yelelegnin keyet lamta (5:42)

09. Ephrem Tamiru - Sew meseretu (8:45)

10. Ephrem Tamiru - Lanchi yansebesha (5:51)

11. Ephrem Tamiru - Metadel new (5:30)

Tilahun Gessesse & Walias Band - Tilahun Gessesse with the Walias Band [1970 ?]

originally posted here : Awesome Tapes From Africa

Very limited edition LP with cool, silk-screened covers. 

           The liner notes provided helpful biographical information about this titan of Ethiopian music (Ethiopiques Vol. 17 is 100% Gessesse), but very little about the particular music on this record.

       I would date these recordings to the early 70s, maybe late 60s, judging by the groovy-heavy, almost proto-disco vibe of the songs and analog sound of the recordings. The basic MO here is: set up a tight, funky vamp then let Gessesse cut loose over the top. 

        Modern ears will delight at the production values which place the band in a swirl of reverb and give Gessesse's in-the-red vocals a heavy coat of gritty slap-back. The way everything sounds makes it easy to imagine hearing these songs performed at 3am in sweltering Ethiopian heat. Very nice LP, anyone with an interest in Ethiopian music will find a lot to like here, but the general funkiness (great basslines!) and upbeat rhythm of the songs make it pretty widely accessible.

Side A

1. Ye Minjar Lij (The girl from Minjar)

2. Keleleh Yelehem (You ain't got it if you don't got it)

3. Ere Fikir BeHig (In the name of Love)

4. Ye Tate Kelebet (The ring on my finger)

5. Tey Atabesachign (Please don't make me suffer)

Side B.

1. Endezih Hone Ende (Is this how it is)

2. Beterswa Shegnechign (She abandoned me with a smile)

3. Ewnetegna Fikir (True Love)

4. Katu Zemed Yelem (No one befriends the broke)

5. Hiwet Kanchi Aybeltem (Life is not more precious than you)

6. Bonus instrumental track

The Ethiopian Journey - A travel into the Ethio sound of Addis Abeba back in the 70's.[ by Armand de Preseau]

originaly posted here : Dusty African Grooves

       Here is another great mixtape containing some nice ethiopian grooves from 70's.

       Enjoy, and visit Dusty African Grooves for more posts. And of course, thanks and credits goes to Armand de Preseau.

I wanted for a loooong time to do an Ethiopian selection, (but I wouldn't because I think the Ethio sound is too "a la mode"..), so here are 9 tracks taken from several seven inches intended to make you (re)discover the beauty and the deepness of the Ethio sound from the 70's.

Ethio Jazz, Ethio soul, Ethio groove or Ethio funk, nevermind how you can call it, this music sounds like no other, because of the Ethiopian Pentatonic scale, that was a source of inspiration for many musicians of all genre.

Hope you'll like it !

Armand de Preseau - The Ethiopian Journey

Tracklist : 

Mohamud Ahmed - Ambassel
Menelik Wossenachew - Chereka
Bizunesh Bekele - Tigel New
Tilahun Gessesse - Wey Min Tilik
Menelik Wossenachew - Menew Bacher Kere
Bahta Hiwot - Tessassategn Eko
Bizunesh Bekele - Inramed
Negash Tekie - Yewyen Abebaie
Menelik Wossenachew - Mekaberene Liyew

Netsanet Melesse - [2004] - Fertuna [ethiopia]

       At the outset of her amazing music career, Netsanet Melesse released her debut album “Yelal Doju” in 1983, which became an instant hit throughout Ethiopia. Her simple and alluring look on her single video, seen on the black and white screens of everyone’s living room TV made the album even more popular. No one ever doubted the singer’s talent from then on, as it was not even eclipsed by her shy personality. Netsanet Melesse’s musical gifts became apparent at an early age as she started singing English songs that were popular at the time. The singer grew up in a very religious family and was even a part of a church choir as a child and also sang at charity events at times. Inspired by Western music moguls like Whitney Houston, Madonna and Aretha Franklin, Netsanet’s talents started becoming evident in the gospel songs she used to sing at Estifanos Church.

              Netsanet looks into the distance as she recalls the first day that determined her life as a musician. The singer’s older sister, who was a French program producer at a radio station called “Beserate Wengel” at the time, persuaded her to sing on Tadesse Muluneh’s Sunday show. Thinking that giving it a shot wouldn’t hurt, the singer took a blind leap of faith, desperately hoping that listeners would like her. She had no clue that as she opened the microphone that day, she would also be opening the door to fame. It didn’t take long for other musicians to get in touch with her after she performed songs in English, Sudanese and Hindi on the radio show. Walias Band approached her with a request to perform with them at the Hilton hotel and she ended up having shows every week of the day except for Mondays. “Malaika”, the Grammy Award-winning South African singer Miriam Makeba’s track was among the list of songs that Netsanet entertained her audience with six days a week along with songs like the Manhattan’s “Let’s just kiss and say goodbye” and the popular Sudanese track “Seberta”.

         Two years after her debut album hit the Ethiopian market, Netsanet’s sophomore set “Minew Jal” was released capturing music fanatics with its originality and mellow rhythm. “Tew Jegena Belew”, her third music album followed in 1987 after she did a music collection set, “Ere tey Wubit”, featuring big names like Teddy Tadesse, Aregahegn Werash and Kuku Sebesebie. “Tizita”, her fourth album, came out featuring a number of prominent Ethiopian musicians in 1991.

           Following this, Netsanet and her family decided a move was in order, and since then, she has been residing in Toronto with her 10 year old son. In 2004, Netsanet delighted her fans with her album “Fertuna” which was highly praised for its genuine lyrics and tunes. After 10 solid years, the singer made a comeback once again with a beautiful track titled “Bye Bye”. The singer surprised her fans showing of her newly slimmed down body in the music video.

       It’s been a long and tangled road for Netsanet’s stunning and intriguing new album “Liben”, as it was challenging for her to find melodies she can relate to. But over the course of three years the album has been in the making, through business struggles and life changes, she has maintained a clear sense of her musical vision-and returned with a collection of songs that reconfirms her place as one of the finest singers of her generation. With music arrangers like Abiy Arka, and Sami Solomon, her new album boasts a collection of beautiful tracks featuring upcoming artists. One such song, “Keremelaye” sees Netsanet performing with an aspiring musician by the name Tokichaw.

          But in the midst of all the fame and glamour, the singer still makes time to keep in touch with her spiritual side as she has recently released a gospel album.

       The singer has recently signed up with Adika Communication and Events, a company that manages and promotes Ethiopian artists, alongside organizing major events. With a calm and mellow voice that speaks of dazzling romance and emotions, Netsanet’s new works, soon to be dropped in the Ethiopian market via Adika Communication and Events, project her ever great flair as an Ethiopian musician. From all the twists and turns of becoming a musician, Netsanet says she has grown to be an even more experienced singer with intense talents.

01. Netsanet Melesse - Fertuna (5:26)
02. Netsanet Melesse - Lekas Fikir Yarejal (5:03)
03. Netsanet Melesse - Endew Kebrer (5:50)
04. Netsanet Melesse - Fikir Eshururu (5:25)
05. Netsanet Melesse - Min Alu (5:09)
06. Netsanet Melesse - Addis Ababa (4:50)
07. Netsanet Melesse - Taketegn (4:10)
08. Netsanet Melesse - Lefat Kentu (5:57)
09. Netsanet Melesse - Enken Aywetalet (5:25)
10. Netsanet Melesse - Geletlet (5:06)
11. Netsanet Melesse - Semerelign (4:38)