Qwanqwa - Qwanqwa Demo [2013] [ethiopia]

   Qwanqwa - ቋንቋ   

          Qwanqwa, from the Amharic word for language, plays beloved and rare Ethiopian tunes with a unique twist. The band, based in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, is named for this concept. The members vary in age and background, but have come together for a unique and powerful sound with an equally meaningful message. At it’s core, this band is instrumental, since they believe that to reach the widest audience, a single singer can limit the effect. 

           However, the list of guests and collaborations is long, including both beloved and famous singers such as Fikraddis, Habte Michael, Amelmal Abate, as well as beloved Azmari singers Selamnesh Zemene and Etenesh Wassie. Not limited to only singers, Qwanqwa also has invited the virtuoso masinqo player Endris Hassen, the father of washint Johannes Aferwork, Ethiopia’s foremost clarinetist Dawit Frew, and many other treasures of traditional instrumentalists to join them.

         The vision of Qwanqwa is to reach as many people as possible with their music. Where many groups play at clubs, Qwanqwa strives to organize concerts in remote places and unique situations. They know that there are many people who would enjoy their music but would not be able to attend a concert at a club because they can’t afford a taxi, that can’t get a babysitter, they are too young, they don’t drink, or other infinite limiting factors. But music is for all, Qwanqwa seeks opportunities to play to as many demographics as possible. Oftentimes, the members have found, the outreach concerts are even more memorable and rewarding than regular club shows.

Qwanqwa are : 

Mesele Asmamaw - lead krar 
Elias Wolde Mikael - kebero/percussion 
Dawit Seyoum - bass krar 
Kaethe Hostetter - 5 string violin 

Qwanqwa -  Gubliye at Selam Fetival

Qwanqwa's homage to Asnaketch Werqu

Mesele Asmamaw is Qwanqwa’s lead electric krar player. (Krar is a traditional harp, relative to the lyre). Mesele is known as a composer and arranger, active in Ethiopia for over twenty years. He has released many albums of his compositions as well as traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa performing the traditional music of Ethiopia. Since the mid-2000s, Mesele has been a favorite guest of the extremely influential punk and “The EX”, has recorded several albums with the experimental Norwegian drummer Paal Nilssen-Love, and has toured and recorded with his experimental rock group Trio Kazanches. He uses several interesting techniques in Qwanqwa, including a wah pedal, a distortion pedal, a coke bottle and a plastic tube!

Dawit Seyoum, master of the bass krar, plays extensively in traditional groups around Addis, including Ethiocolor and Hager Fikr. He also is a member of the Nile Project, a much-acclaimed American based project which tours internationally with traditional musicians from all Nile countries.

Elias Wolde Mikael is Qwanqwa’s percussionist. He uses the traditional kebero, goat skin drums played with sticks, as well as a variety of other homemade percussion instruments. He can be seen regularly in several groups around Addis Ababa as well as on popular TV music programs in Ethiopia, including Ethiopian Idol and Balageru.

Kaethe Hostetter, 5-string electric violin, has been playing Ethiopian music for many years now. A founding member of the critically acclaimed Debo Band (signed to Sub Pop), the first Ethiopian band in the US to top many charts including iTunes and CMJ, and who has played many stages from Lincoln Center to Kennedy Center, from Chicago World Music Festival and GlobalFest to Bumbershoot and Bonarroo. She also has had an active performing life in the experimental scene, including tours with Fred Frith, Butch Morris and Jim Hobbs.

Qwanqwa - 01 - Rhumba / Ethiopia Hagere (8:01)

Qwanqwa - 02 - Gubliye (10:55)

Qwanqwa - 03 - Yayne Abeba (12:24)

Qwanqwa - 04 - Hamalele (8:00)

Qwanqwa - 05 - Mejemmeria Fikray (6:35)

Qwanqwa - 06 - Nanu Nanu Nay (8:11)

follow link to  Qwanqwa - Volume One [2014]

follow link to  Qwanqwa - Volume Two [2015]

Sheba Sound - Deep Ethiopian Soul Cassette Selection [ethiopia]

visit Sheba Sound webpage HERE > _______

        “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 re-address this balance. We are as 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 dance-floors and bars all over the world.”

Listen here :  

https://www.mixcloud.com/Sofrito/sheba-sound-deep-ethiopian-soul-cassette-selection/

Background info:

      In 1974 Mengistu crushed Haile Selassie and came into power in Ethiopia. By the late 70’s, all the music labels pressing up tunes on vinyl, such as Amha and Philips, had been forced to shut down their operations.

      This left the cassette shops to continue the work of publishing the new music that was coming out of Ethiopia. Notable heavyweight houses pushing Amharic music, such as Electra and Anbassel took the lion’s share of the famous vocalists.

      Naturally, as time evolved, so did the sound of music. In this mix, you will hear how the classic 70’s ‘ethio-funk’ sound (represented in the Ethiopiques collections through Buda Musique) digresses to the 80’s into something much less frantic and more precise. The bands themselves tend to be smaller, allowing the bass players to take a more driving lead. This particular evolution of the bass, for us, defines the sound of Amhara music from this period.

Tracklisting:

Atechekenbegnem – Ayalew Mesfin

Tezez Begalaye – Muluken Melesse

Ancbi Lij – Thiedros Tadesse

Tey Enekebaber – Kefel Bekele

Munaye – Ephrem Tamru

Tatche Alkarem – Neway Debebe

Tey Manesh – Solomon Shibeshi

? – Fisseha Alamayehu

? – Fisseha Alamayehu

Yangete Sew Honesh – Tamrat Molla

Kemekem – Muluken Melesse

Sheba Sound have more mixes available on their site, and don’t forget to check his & Fade 2’s stellar mix of off-kilter 90s dancehall versions.

uKanDanZ - Lantchi Biyé / Endè Iyèrusalèm [7''] [2014] [france-ethiopia]

       uKanDanZ ... a unique style, an unusual meeting between an electric quartet and Asnake Guebreyes, charismatic lead singer originates from the vibrant music scene in Addis Abeba. 

          Their music is inspired by traditional and popular Ethiopian songs. uKanDanZ has a real crunch energy. Between rock, jazz, noise... 

With impertinence, they rock it wildly. Without compromise. Guitar, saxophone, bass, drums and vocals shuffle our bearings. 

What a pleasure! The stage presence of uKanDanZ swings alternately between energy and emotion... then the public, transcended, dances and shivers.

uKanDanZ - Endè Iyèrusalèm

Rock In Opposition festival 2015, 18/09/2015

uKanDanZ - 1 - Lantchi Biyé 04:26

uKanDanZ - 2 - Endè Iyèrusalèm 04:09

Damien Cluzel - Guitar
Asnaque Guebreyes - Vocals 
Lionel Martin - Sax
Guilhem Meier - Drums

Benoit Lecomte - Bass

Tadesse Alemu - Mishamisho [2001] [ethiopia]

       Tadesse Alemu was an Ethiopian singer from Wollega who sang traditional Ethiopian songs, sometimes Christian-based, in an upbeat pop-music style with the modern-day electronic instrumentation that is characteristic of today’s Ethiopian popular music. 

         Active since 1997, nothing was known about his origins. However, an interview with Alemu’s wife on Voice of Ethiopia radio during fall 2007 confirmed that he had become sick and died that July in Addis Ababa of a short disease, which resulted from an infection that was caused by a stabbing wound from several years previously that had not healed properly, just before he was set to leave the country on a concert tour.

Tadesse Alemu - Mishamisho

Tadesse Alemu - 01 - Sherbela (9:04)
Tadesse Alemu - 02 - Mishamisho (6:08)
Tadesse Alemu - 03 - Gojea Melegnaw (7:12)
Tadesse Alemu - 04 - Ye-Ethiopia Lijoch (7:26)
Tadesse Alemu - 05 - Minjar, Mignar (6:15)
Tadesse Alemu - 06 - Guragea (5:23)
Tadesse Alemu - 07 - Merea (5:20)
Tadesse Alemu - 08 - Selamlegki (6:38)
Tadesse Alemu - 09 - Oromigna (6:10)
Tadesse Alemu - 10 - Guajla [bonus track] (5:07)
Tadesse Alemu - 11 - Track 11 [bonus track] (5:20)




Vocal – Tadesse Alemu 

Keyboards – Mitiku Tefera

Kirar – Mesele Asmamaw

Masinko – Dejene Manchilot

Backing Vocals – Aschalew Ayele, Elasbeth Meshesla, Sileshi Tsegaye, Teshome Mekonen, Tilahun Auimut, Wase Dires, Yodit Zeleka

Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - Fiker Yazat (Vol 1) [1997] [ethiopia]

Axumite Band - Gedamay Gedamay

Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 01 - Aydelem Endie (4:13)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 02 - Hij Yilatal (4:35)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 03 - Yeteyim Konjo Nat (3:57)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 04 - Ensifsif Alebign Hodie (4:13)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 05 - Fekir Yazat (4:21)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 06 - Adjeb Hone Ekoberafish (5:15)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 07 - Endanchi Yeminafek Ketom Alayehugn (3:21)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 08 - Tizitama Baynor (6:02)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 09 - Fikir Yelem Woy Keto (3:54)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 10 - She Geleshal Alu (4:28)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 11 - Atnekakagne Fikir (4:59)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 12 - Be-Ethiopia Ekoralehu (5:28)
Dawit Tsige & The Axumite Band - 13 - Ale Gena (4:59)

Dawit Getachew - Memory of the Future [2015] [ethiopia]

       Dawit Getachew  (born September 25, 1986) is one of the greatest gospel singers in Ethiopia, and east African music award winning Ethiopian singer, song writer , arranger and producer. 

      He is one of the best-and most influential artists in Jazz Christian music. Dawit not only sings but also teaches music at “Mekane Yesus Seminary” school of JAZZ music. This young and intelligent artist is one among the group of Zema for Christ choir.  His first CD “ Ethibekehalehu” has been a blessing since it was released.  Dawit is a great growing artist and is an expectation of everybody.  

Dawit Getachew - Ewedihalew

Early life 

     Dawit Getachew  was born to Mintayesh Cherinet and Getachew Abraham in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at a place known as “Shiromeda”.and grow up in “Debrezeit” with his 3 sisters and 4 brothers.  He grew up in a Christian family, with the word of God and having devotional times with his parents, as a kid Dawit knew that he could sing in those devotional times. Having this talent as a kid Dawit joined his Sunday school choir. The love of music grew in his heart. And he knew that there was nothing on earth that would make him feel good than music. So having this passion Dawit graduated high school from Bishoftu’s preparatory school. 

        After graduating high school, he moved back to “Addis Ababa” and joined Mekane Yesus Seminary” Jazz Music school, majoring piano. As a student Dawit was one of the best students. His interest and passion for music made him to give all his time and heart, by doing that he was one of the top students found in the school. After spending 3 years at the music school, he completed his studies with a heart to serve God and his people.then he start to lecture in the same school. 

        In 2007 a choir known as Zema for Christ released their first album known as  “Bemamene Bicha”. Dawit was one of the founder members of the group. The album was amazing in all its musical arrangement and song contents. He arranged most of the songs and produced along Mihret Tegafaw (a member of Zema for Christ). Starting from then Dawit Getachew along with Zema for Christ performed their songs in most churches found in Addis and other parts of the country.  Then Dawit started arranging and producing songs to different gospel artists, including Bethelhem Tezera, Pastor Mesfin Mamo, Samuel T/Michael, Endalkachew Hawaz, Endrias Hawaz and others. Along this journey the biggest encouragement in his life came from his mother and his older sister Addis Kidan , supporting everything he does and helping him by their prayers. so, their prayer played the biggest role in his life. 

     The first challenge in Dawit's life came from his father. As any Ethiopian, christian parent his father wanted him to continue with his acadamic studies because he believed that the music life of most christians was believed to be difficult for both economical and spiritual life. Deep in side Dawit new that his father purpose is LOVE. Therefore, listening to his father's advice, he was convinced that he should also do more to his life by studying another field of study. He joined the management and leadership college at Mekane Yesus Seminary . Studying for 3 years he got his first Bachelors Degree (B.A) in leadership and development in in June 25,2011.

      In 2010 Dawit released his first album known as “Tebekehalehu”. He amazed his audiences in this album. It was beyond anybody’s expectation. Dawit played the major role in his first album joined by Zema for Christ as his back up singers. He wrote all the songs and produced it on his own by bringing a new and spectacular flavor to the existing music industry.

Dawit Getachew - 01 - The Power of Faith (8:19)

Dawit Getachew - 02 - Hope (8:41)

Dawit Getachew - 03 - Memory of the Future (11:07)

Dawit Getachew - 04 - Gheralta (8:27)

Dawit Getachew - 05 - Worthy of All Praise (9:09)

Dawit Getachew - 06 - Love (Live) (6:17)

Dawit Getachew - 07 - Mercy (4:38)

Dawit Getachew - 08 - Rejoice (8:23)

Dawit Getachew - 09 - Thank You (9:48)