Black Flower - Abyssinia Afterlife [2014] [b]

      Born out of a surreal experience and with strong devotion Black Flower takes you on a lucid voyage through the gardens of the Abyssinian afterlife. A highly remarkable place, far away from what you and I would call reality. It is a place where strange creatures and unfamiliar sounds merge into a harmony of the weird and the beautiful.

       It is said that these are the secret realms of the long past legendary ruler of Ethiopia, Sir Prester John. Some even claim that he composed these sounds as a way of ruling his ancient land. Whether this is fact or myth, nobody knows for sure...

     Now, for the first time, we have the chance to get a glimpse of this mystical empire. It is no secret any more that Nathan Daems has been chosen to witness this special place. Being such an overwhelming experience, he felt the urge, even the obligation, to share this with the real world. The result is a record he applicably called “Abyssinia Afterlife”.

     It was no easy task finding the right people for this job. In his years of musical exploration, Nathan kept searching for the right people to team up with. A challenging process, because they needed to embrace the idea of looking to music from a whole new perspective. They needed to be able to capture the Abyssinia Afterlife as if they had visited it them-selves. Finally he found four young and dedicated spirits who could do the job.

 This is the moment Black Flower was born.

  Black Flower - Upwards  

 Track list:

    1. Solar Eclipse 6:39 

    2. Upwards 4:59 

    3. I threw a lemon at that girl 5:20 

    4. Jungle desert 4:50 

    5. Winter 5:35 

    6. Star fishing 5:42 

    7. The legacy of Prester John 3:41 

    8. Again I lost it 4:57 

    9. Abyssinia afterlife 7:45

 Nathan Daems - Soprano saxophone, Tenor saxophone, Melodica, Flute 
 Jon Birdsong - Cornet 
 Simon Segers - Drums 
 Wouter Haest - Piano and keyboards 
 Filip Vandebril - Bass, Effects 

 [http://www.dewerfrecords.be/en/catalog/abyssinia-afterlife][http://www.jazzinbelgium.com/album/black.flower_abyssinia-afterlife]

 [http://www.discogs.com/master/view/681766]

v.a. - Munsphone Mixtape - 60s and 70s Sudanese Records (Cassette. Munsphone Records)

This one is a collection of records from the 60s and 70s on the Munsphone label out of Sudan "mixed by an Ethiopian octogenarian." 




SIDE A

1. Hamed Al Rayah - Shalo Alkalam
2. Sayed Khalifa - Jani O Ma Ligani
3. Suna'i Alasima (Mohammed Awad & Ahmed Omer) - Min Hobby Feek Ya Jar
4. Suna'i Alasima (Mohammed Awad & Ahmed Omer) - Jaboo Al Shabka Yom Al Eid
5. Ibrahim Awad - Att'haddak
6. Sharhabil Ahmed - Lissa Ma Arfeen
7. Sharhabil Ahmed - Ya Gammer Dowwa
8. Mohammed Werdi - Ghattr Al Nedda




SIDE B

1. Sayed Khalifa - Al Wahid Khallaney Wahid
2. Al Belabil - Khatim Al Moon (3 sisters: Hadya, Hayat, & Amal Thulsem)
3. Sharhabil Ahmed - Ferfish
4. Sharhabil Ahmed - Al Laabis al Bumbi
5. Mohammed Werdi - Ma Takh'jely
6. Al Belabil - Lon al Manga
7. Sayed Khalifa - Nana ya Nana
8. Ibrahim Awad - Zahra Nadya
9. Mohammed Werdi - Uzabney Za Zeed Azabuk !   song not complete!

v.a. - The Ethiopian Millennium Collection [CD6 - Memories Of Ethiopa] [2007] [ethiopia]

     The golden age of Ethiopian popular music (as heard on the fabled ETHIOPIQUES series) is famous in part for the sparsity of material that it yielded: The state-owned recording industry was largely a ramshackle government vanity, and while music of the music it captured was strikingly haunting, only a few dozen tracks were recorded in the 1960s and '70s... 

Since then, the floodgates have opened as Ethiopia has more or less entered the modern world -- more artists are making and recording more music than was dreamed possible back in the politically repressive "good old days," and the fruits of this renaissance are heard on this 6-CD set. 

This album is recorded using authentic Ethiopian instruments – the Kirar (a circular wooden sound box from which six strings are attached to an upper stick held in position by two arms extending upward in a V shape); the Kebero (a large drum made of cowhide stretched over cylindrical wooden frame); the Washint (a four-holed bamboo reed pipe traditionally played by shepherds); and the Masinko (a one-stringed fiddle consisting of diamond shape wooden sound box and string made from strands of horsetail). This definitive, one-of-a-kind anthology will introduce you to Ethiopia’s rich world of unique sounds and captivating music. Enjoy!

01 - Sekota - Memories Of Ethiopia (4:18)

02 - Mulu Abeba - Memories Of Ethiopia (5:24)

03 - Ayubign - Memories Of Ethiopia (5:39)

04 - Bati - Memories Of Ethiopia (6:53)

05 - Tigrigna - Memories Of Ethiopia (5:41)

06 - Ambasel - Memories Of Ethiopia (5:05)

07 - Gabicha - Memories Of Ethiopia (5:49)

08 - Tizita - Memories Of Ethiopia (5:39)

08 - Shemonmwanaye - Memories Of Ethiopia (5:57)

09 - Immawayish - Memories Of Ethiopia (4:06)

10 - Wello - Memories Of Ethiopia (3:37)

Teddy Mak - Time Out [2013] [ethiopia]

       TEDDY MAK has been a composer, arranger, producer, songwriter, and an accomplished performer for over twenty eight years. He is one of the pioneer, performer and major contributor to the development of Ethiopia's innovative 'new age' music. 

     Teddy Mak developed a passion formusic in German school Addis Abeba at an early age of eight, which was accompanied with hours of rigorous practice on the piano at home. Teddy’s youthful talent was enthusiastically supported by his father, Teddy's family provided an enabling environment that encouraged young Teddy to put in enough hours of practice on the piano which laid a firm foundation for his life’s work in Ethiopian music. Teddy Mak first studied music at the Yared Music School in Addis Ababa, which was followed by studying music, majoring in American Jazz, at the Northern Virginia Community College. He had his chance playing with great bands, which included, among others, the Shebelles, the Dahlacs and the Ethiostar band in Addis Ababa. This was the time when Teddy Mak got a chance to meet and perform with Bob Marley at the Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa.

     Throughout his career, he has compiled and created numerous melodic sounds and rhythmical beats that have made his musical compositions distinguishable. His masterful compilations have been soothing the ears of a broad range of listeners, for the past 3- decades. 

Teddy Mak - Wetatuan Lidj

     Teddy Mak’s musical accomplishments include over 573 arrangments and musical compositions, a cultural musical presentation, in the presence of delegates from fifty countries, at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa, composed sound tracks for twenty five documentary films and, wrote original soundtrack for a fifty-four segment Ethiopian movie drama series “Gemena” for Ethiopian TV. 

   Teddy Mak has presented a commissioned musical presentation and album on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union.

Teddy Mak - 01 - Sam Mak CV (7:31)

Teddy Mak - 02 - Langano Endless Cruise in Minor (5:43)

Teddy Mak - 03 - Celebration Song Tribute for Au 50th Anniversarry (5:46)

Teddy Mak - 04 - Time Out (26:05)

Teddy Mak - 05 - Ethio Mak Jazz (7:33)

Teddy Mak - 06 - Tribute for Girma Beyene Set Alamnim T. Mak Style (5:47)

Teddy Mak - 07 - Mak Funk (5:57)

Teddy Mak - 08 - Ghion (6:38)

Teddy Mak - 09 - B.rock Chichica (3:47)

Teddy Mak - 10 - Mak House (5:48)

no new posts until august,15th

...


hi everybody.

the author of this blog is on vacation.

see you in august!

Sheba Sound - Ethio-funk Amhara 'Chichika' beat [2014] [ethiopia]

visit Sheba Sound webpage HERE > _______

       Sheba Sound is the ongoing product of over six years of events, music digging and recordings, originating in Addis Ababa and spanning as many of the areas of the country as is physically possible to reach.

         Music drew us to this beautiful, historic country.

         Most of the old music is littered across cassettes, reels and vinyl in dusty corners. For new music, contemporary musicians outside Addis Ababa have little opportunity to record and proudly express their unique mesmerising sounds.

     We at Sheba Sound are trying to redress this balance. We are committed to recording and introducing diverse music to Ethiopians themselves as well as to foreign communities.

       We have our work cut out; there are over 85 separately recognised tribes, all of whom define themselves through their unique language, music, customs, values and clothing.

       We bring traditional deep Ethiopian sounds, with a modern twist, to dancefloors and bars all over the world.

Ethio-funk mix of songs that have never been re-issued.

I was asked a while back by a label in the UK if I could compile an album of ethio-funk songs from the 70's that were never re-issued.

Being a Dj in Addis, my immediate inclination was to do a comp on the Amhara, traditional Chichika beat - the one that gets everyone dancing.

I used to play this stuff in Fendika Asmari House in Addis with DJ Mitmitta.

The comp never happened, but here's a little mix of that Chichika magic that got the room all heated up.

listen Ethio-funk Amhara "Chichika" beat > here

tracklist :

01.  Abebaye  by  Alameyehu Eshete, PH-125

02.  Kulun Manqualesh  by  Tilahun Gessesse w/ Mulatu Astatke All Star Band, PH-105

03.  Yewyen Abeshie  by  Negash Tekie & Mulugueta Tilhaun, ER-6

04.  Tez Alegn Hagere   by    Alameyehu Borobor & The Walias, KF-7643,

05.  Yeshebelewa   by    Alameyehu Borobor & The Walias, KF-7644

06.  Band Igir Lay Tchama    by    Tamrat Molla, PH-240

07.  Kantchi Lela   by   Mulugueta H Mikael, PH-233

08.  Fikrishin Eshalehu   by    Getachew Kassa, PH-107

09.  Zimam Newhoy   by   Hirut Bekele & The Police Orchestra, PH-255

10.  Eswa Gin Teletchim   by   Tamrat Molla, PH-240

11.  Lemlemwa Hagere    by    Issatu Tessema & Orchestra Ethiopia, PH-179

12.  Goradew Na   by  Kebede Ali & Orchestra Ethiopia, PH-185

13.  Zematch Ashewyna   by   Tilaye Chewaka & The Army Band, PH-251

14.  Akale Wubie   by    Tefera Kassa & Lema Demissew '& his group,' PH-128

15.  Yewefe Ber Abeba   by   Ayalew Mesfin, KF-32

16.  Elil Bale Hoy   by   Solomon Shibeshi, PH-167

17.  Ishuru Belut   by  Muluken Melesse, PH-177