Akalé Wubé - Mata [2012] [fra+ethiopia]

   R  E  U  P  L  O  A  D   

       Akalé Wubé (meaning "my beautiful" in Amharic) is a quintet of musicians based in Paris, France who have been inspired to play "Ethio-Jazz" after drawing inspiration the Ethiopiques and other Ethiopian Jazz groups of the "golden age" throughout the sixties and seventies. They simply have taken older tunes to put a more modern contemporary twist by fusing in funk, tango, reggae, pop and other styles of music, already being an aesthetic in Ethiopian music, to help create their own unique sound. 

    Listening to “Mata”, the second album of Akalé Wubé, is like time travelling to Africa in the 70's. Their music take us to an imaginary musical territory halfway between the ethio-jazz that rocked Addis-Adeba at that time and have fascinated the West since and the Afrobeat from Lagos as conceived by the legendary Fela.

   A further listen however makes us realize that it goes much beyond than just recreating the ethio-groove so much in fashion these days and the hypnotic sound of this Parisian band soon puts us in a trance. Integrating elements of soul, reggae, jazz and garage rock, Akalé Wubé sounds like a kind of Azmari Tortoise of Yoruba ancesters. Between reworked versions of classic songs by Alèmayu Esheté, Mulatu Astatqé or Getatchew Mekurya and own compositions, Akalé Wubé have achieved in 2 albums what many cannot do in a decade. They have defined their own style: a mix of refinement, mystery and virtuosity. Come on board Radio Groovalizacion. Next stop Paris-Adeba!

01. Akalé Wubé - Maryé (4:47)

02. Akalé Wubé - Dodo (4:28)

03. Akalé Wubé - Mata (3:50)

04. Akalé Wubé - Jour de pluie (2:22)

05. Akalé Wubé - Kasalèfkut hulu (5:24)

06. Akalé Wubé - Almaz yèharèrwa (4:14)

07. Akalé Wubé - Asmarina (3:54)

08. Akalé Wubé - Bazay (5:42)

09. Akalé Wubé - Besetchet (2:39)

10. Akalé Wubé - Sabyé (4:37)

11. Akalé Wubé - Tinchel (3:45)     

Nini [Tigist Mekonnen Kidane] - Yehabesha lij [1995 E.C.] [ethiopia]

Nini - Tigist Mekonnen

         Few months ago I stumble upon this magnificent piece of work of Ethiopian singer Nini - Tigist Mekonnen Kidane. 

         It's virtualy impossible to find any piece of information about her. I don't even have proper name for her album. I am not sure is Akematlegn full name of Nini's album. Any help is welcome.

       But, beside this lack of information and pictures, I have to share this album with you, becouse it's wonderful!

         Nice electro-pop music of Ethiopia 90's. Present for thirsty ears.

01 - Nini - Libe Bante (4:23)

02 - Nini - Abesha (4:59)

03 - Nini - Akematlegn (4:48)

04 - Nini - Mechem Atselechegnim (4:52)

05 - Nini - Mama Africa (4:58)

06 - Nini - Fekerin Filega (5:22)

07 - Nini - Mama Africa (4:18)

08 - Nini - Estenfase (4:56)

09 - Nini - Tizita (5:35)

10 - Nini - Andebeten Lefta (3:56)

   thanks to my readers,      
   more info in comments    

v.a. - roots & discipline - wtnr radioshow ethio jazz [2010] [ethiopia]

ETHIO music non-stop 

(1:12:12   68 mb)

v.a. - Traditional music ensemble of the Ras-Theatre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [1982] [Melodiya, C80-17751-2]

Ras Theatre - Dedero

traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - yaniti (4:35)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - ethiopia adei (3:30)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - our country (3:57)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - dedero (3:29)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - yabishan bira (5:55)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - peace to the proletariat (2:48)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - belew belew (3:59)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - the militant communist (3:52)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - rebahel zemeslar (3:22)
traditional music ensemble of the ras theatre - tizita (3:41)

Shambel Belayneh - Gegna Kere [ethiopia]

Ethiopia - Shambel Belayneh

01 - Shambel Belayneh - Gegna Kere (6:46)
02 - Shambel Belayneh - Eta Banchi Megen (7:17)
03 - Shambel Belayneh - Arefa Tegen Leteta (5:35)
04 - Shambel Belayneh - Yastemaminal (4:18)
05 - Shambel Belayneh - Wedagera Legba (6:24)
06 - Shambel Belayneh - Belebesesew Kutash (6:39)
07 - Shambel Belayneh - Aberen Enichachas (6:33)
08 - Shambel Belayneh - Yalmeshal Ayena (5:08)
09 - Shambel Belayneh - Mewuhera (7:12)
10 - Shambel Belayneh - Nurelen Tilahun (5:18)

Lemma G. Hiwot, Zenebech Tesfaye & Selamawit G. Selassie - Wedding songs [1973] [ethiopia]

Amhara Wedding Songs - feat Lemma G. Hiwot, Selamawit G. Selassie and Zenebech Tesfaye

       Originally released on Philips Ethiopia in 1973, this seemingly impossible to find LP is available once again to the lucky humans of the world. 

         With a mix of modern and traditional instruments these fourteen songs go through the progression of an Ethiopian Amhara wedding sung in Amharic. With the trio of singers, Lemma G. Hiwot, Zenebech Tesfaye, and Selamawit G. Selassie, alternating turns at the microphone, and sharing call and response duties, a relentless frenzy of hand clapping incites dancing and smiles. The consumption of tedj (honeywine) and the swirling love of a wedding was captured in the studio with euphoric energy to take away to play over and over again when the festivities are over. With hand screened covers and an insert of wedding photos accompanying the liner notes, this is the next best thing to an invitation to the real thing. 

      Originally released on Philips Ethiopia in 1973. A co-release with Mitmitta Musika of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.

Singers: Lemma Gebre Hiwot, Zenebech Tesfaye & Selamawit Gebre Selassie

Washint & Kirar (Mederder): Melaku Gelaw

Piano: Getachew Degefu

Guitar: ‘Haile’

Bass: Tekle Tesfa-Ezghi

Drums & Percussion: Hussein Nuro

Arrangements: Getachew Degefu

Zenebech Tesfaye & Selamawit Gebre Selassie

Lemma Gebre Hiwot