v.a. - Ililta ! New Ethiopian Dance Music [2009]

                       R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

Chalachew Ashenafi in NL

       Most people are familiar with the Ethiopian music of the ‘golden seventies’. The great CD-series of ‘Ethiopiques’ focuses on this remarkable period of truly amazing and rich music. The era of the big brass bands came to an end in the period of the ‘Derg’, the military government in Ethiopia from 1975 till 1991. After that, the scene seemed confused.

     
        Many great musicians were forced into exile or passed away. The horns mostly disappeared and were replaced by cheap keyboards everywhere. Awful bombastic overproduced ‘plastic’ pop productions flooded the market. Synthesisers, vocoders, drummachines and hasty productions that all sound alike.

       But in the last few years something new is emerging. Young producers have started combining traditional rhythms and strong dance beat production. The result is very original, uplifting and very danceable music. The gurage, wollo, gondar, oromo and other traditional rhythms work wonders for this new dance music. And the Ethiopian youth loves it. It can be heard not only in the hip areas like Bole, but all over Addis and other Ethiopian urban areas. Blasting from restaurants, taxi’s, coffeeplaces, grocerystores and Addis’ giant market, the Mercato.

       The ‘Ililta’ CD is a compilation of this new Ethiopian dance music, recorded with a new generation of singers over the last decade. A cross-selection of the production work of Mesele Asmamaw and some of his close colleges.

Tilahun Gessesse - Ethiopian urban modern music vol 4 [1940-2009]

    R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       Tlahoun Gésséssé is widely regarded as the "Voice" of Ethiopia. Born in 1940, his singing and recording career began in the 1950's until his recent death earlier in 2009. As many followers of the Ethiopiques series will know, the incredible 17th installment is dedicated to Tlahoun, largely featuring arrangements by Mulatu Astatke and a selection of the country's finest ensembles. This record is essentially another "Best Of..", featuring a selection of tracks taken from the 60's & 70's golden period of Ethiopian music, when Tlahoun's tenor was recognised as the best around, playing to Haile Selassie I on numerous occasions.

       It's standard practice in any country for the most celebrated singers to receive backing from the best players they can offer and Tlahoun worked with the top musicians in Ethiopia. His powerful vocals are well matched by blazing funk, heartfelt soul and superb Ethiopian rhythms, that still sound as fiery and impassioned today as we can only imagine they did back then. The hot and hazy swing of 'Kulun Mankwalesh' or the steaming funk of 'Aykedashem Lebé' show Tlahoun's diversity and range perfectly and are worth the price of admission alone. If you dig any of the Ethiopiques series or Sublime Frequencies Group Doueh this is an absolute must.

01. tesfaye abbebe & ayalew abbebe - alegntaye (4:39)

02. trad - kulun mankwalesh (arrangement by mulatu astatqe) (2:59)

03. tezera hayle - michael - aykedashem lebe (4:58)

04. afewerq yohannes & tezera hayle - michael - beyet new mengedu (4:00)

05. tezera hayle - michael - ene negn wey antchi (4:30)

06. tezera hayle - michael - yene felagote (4:07)

07. afewerq yohannes & girma hadgo - tezalegn yetentu (3:41)

08. tezera hayle - michael - tchuheten betsemu (3:31)

09. menelik wesnatchew - lantchi biye (3:07)

10. trad - kulun mankwalesh (arrangements by mulatu astatqe) (4:40)

Ali Birra - 5 albums [ low bitrate]

       Ali Birra (born September 29, 1947) is a famous Oromo singer, composer, poet and nationalist. He was born in Ganda Kore village in the city of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

Ali Birra - [1992] - Sin Afán

Ali Birra - [1998] - Hin Yaadin

Ali Birra - [2005] - Jaalala Biyyaa

Ali Birra - [2005] - Remix

Ali Birra - [2009] - Falmi Mirga Keetiif & Barnoota

Betsat Seyoum & Abbebe Fekade - Urban Azmaris of Ethiopia [1996]

       Born in 1965 in Addis-Abeba, Betsat Seyoum Abrha began in 1985 in a couple of the many bars in the capital before opening her own cabaret in 1990, which has now become one of the most popular in Addis. She aspires to the glory of the modern pioneers of Ethiopian music who play with synthesizers, saxophones, and rhythm boxes, while remaining faithful to the essence of the azmari art. 

       In opposition to Betsat who has not inherited her gift from any family member, Abbebe Fekade comes from a long line of azmaris from the Gondar region, one that has always been the source of a large portion of the country's musicians. He acknowledges his longing for "modernity", but he also knows how to express all the admiration that he holds for the venerable and venerated azmaris like Yirga Dubale and Bahru Qenie.

       In Ethiopian musical tradition, an azmari is a wandering entertainer, a minstrel, or a travelling troubadour who crisscrosses through the Christian regions of the country with his voice and instrument. He is the priviledged vector of popular music and is as fundamental in Ethiopian society as are the griot in Mandingo countries or the lautar in Moldo-Valachia.

01.  - Enegenagnalen (3:37)

02.  - Ambassel (5:28)

03.  - Bati (9:57)

04.  - Abeba Abeba (5:12)

05.  - Anteye (3:12)

06.  - Tizita (7:39)

07.  - Aysh Ayshenna (5:15)

08.  - Bati: [Live] (13:07)

09.  - Anteye / EndeneshGedawo / Yelewen  Abay [Live] (8:39)

10.  - Enegenagnalen [Live] (3:40)   

Dawit Mellesse - Lottery [1995]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

01. Dawit Mellesse - Atenkugne (5:06)
02. Dawit Mellesse - Lottery (Fikir Belottery) (5:16)
03. Dawit Mellesse - Mannew
04. Dawit Mellesse - Kanchi Lela
05. Dawit Mellesse - Anchiw Dereshiligne (5:44)
06. Dawit Mellesse - Lijenetish Alfwal
07. Dawit Mellesse - Yemishit Kokeb (5:19)
08. Dawit Mellesse - Yene Shega (5:52)
09. Dawit Mellesse - Afemekibet
10. Dawit Mellesse - Sally (Engl. Version) (4:30)

Tilaye Gebre - Endless Dream [Fitsame Yatta Hilm] [1995]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       Tilaye Gebre took music lesson in a music school affiliated to the Ethiopian National Theatre. He was later employed by the National Theatre where he served as a singer, Song writer, music arranger and Saxophone player in the Dewitt Band, the band for modern music in the National Theatre. He also worked in The Venus Band, The Equator Band and The Dahlak Band as a music arranger and saxophone player. He went to America with The Walias Band and he settled there. He was among the musicians who accompanied such great names like Ephrem Tamiru, Aster Aweke, Tilahun Gessesse and others. Tilaye is also known to have played instrumental music using tenor sax and alto sax as well as flute. 

       Tilaye Gebre also stakes his claim to the jazz idiom. His Endless Dream (Shakisso Music Productions 001, 1995) wouldn't be out of place on one of those "Smooth Jazz" radio stations, with it seamless blend of synthesizer and saxophone, but I love it nonetheless - Gebre's just too talented a musician.


Here is his only album, so far :

                             Tilaye Gebre - Endless Dream [1995]

1. Tilaye Gebre - Yehem Ale Leka/Gizze Biansegnim (6:56)
2. Tilaye Gebre - Yenigat Kokeb/Yelelit Berehane (9:30)
3. Tilaye Gebre - Muzika Hiwote (6:04)
4. Tilaye Gebre - Fitsame Yatta Hilm (7:08)
5. Tilaye Gebre - Estti Enechewawot (6:38)
6. Tilaye Gebre - Ethiopia Hagere (5:53)
7. Tilaye Gebre - Enkilfen Wosedkew (6:00)
8. Tilaye Gebre - Ayne Hulgizze (5:49)
9. Tilaye Gebre - Gubeleya (6:39)