Sun Hop Fat - Sun Hop Fat [EP] [2013] [usa+eth]

          For years Sun Hop Fat has been at the forefront of introducing the unique sounds of Ethiopian Jazz to the masses. The music blends the rhythms of traditional American funk (James Brown, Parliament) and jazz (Yusef Lateef, Miles Davis) with harmonies and melodies from East Africa. The result is an up-tempo groove machine that borrows harmonies from the Middle East. The music focuses primarily on arrangements from the “golden era” of Ethiopian Jazz but includes original compositions as well. This all-star band includes standout musicians from other popular San Francisco Bay Area groups.

           Sun Hop Fat has developed a solid following throughout Northern California by playing a number of clubs and festivals. The ability of the band to captivate sit down jazz crowds as well as steal the spotlight in prime festival slots, encouraging crowds to get up and dance, makes the group flexible in its appeal and garners support from diverse audiences.

      

Sun Hop Fat @ DNA Lounge

Sun Hop Fat - 01 - Dewel (3:20)

Sun Hop Fat - 02 - Kasaleftkut Hulu (9:08)

Sun Hop Fat - 03 - Sabye (6:09)

Anthony Ant - Trumpet 

Dave Eagle - Congas 

Jeremy Greene - Tenor/Alto Saxophone 

Nicholas Gyorkos - Trombone 

Dii Martin - Guitar 

Harrison Murphy - Keyboards  

Christopher Noonan - Baritone Saxophone 

Daniel Silberstein - Percussion 

Randy Schwartz - Drums 

Jesse Sheehan - Tenor Saxophone 

Jesse Toews - Bass 

Sun Hop Fat just released their first album. You can find it here on bandcamp site > Sun Hop Fat debut album

Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - Worshilalo [2015] [eritrea]

Mahmud Mohammed (Aggar)- ሜረላ - Meerela

Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 01 - Wonaadilee (5:17)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 02 - Worshilalo (4:29)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 03 - Selamat (5:42)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 04 - Baadusereme (3:36)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 05 - Wolat Gebaayil (5:29)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 06 - Siraaro (6:03)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 07 - Meerela (5:04)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 08 - Sukana Kisha (4:55)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 09 - Kiroe (5:08)
Mahamud Mohammed Aggar - 10 - Anjaa (4:06)

Semahegn Belew - Inja [2015] [ethiopia]

Semahegn Belew - Tiga Belew

Semahegn Belew - 01 - Inja (4:55)

Semahegn Belew - 02 - Megen welo (6:41)

Semahegn Belew - 03 - Dmobla (5:20)

Semahegn Belew - 04 - Chferaw mnjar (6:43)

Semahegn Belew - 05 - Hode telalaw (6:13)

Semahegn Belew - 06 - Muyategn (4:49)

Semahegn Belew - 07 - Abebaye (6:08)

Semahegn Belew - 08 - Sanjaw sew bela (5:30)

Semahegn Belew - 09 - Keabay dur (5:36)

Semahegn Belew - 10 - Ite indet (6:18)

Semahegn Belew - 11 - Ljnet (5:55)

Tilahun W/Georgis - [2008] - Leb Leleb [ethiopia]

Tilahun W/Georgis - Kbriena Destayie

Tilahun W/Georgis - 01 - Amen (5:31)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 02 - Genet (5:49)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 03 - Heart To Heart (5:47)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 04 - What Do I Know (6:27)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 05 - Walk Of Life (5:17)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 06 - One For Maritu L. (7:55)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 07 - My Other Half (4:54)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 08 - Friend (5:15)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 09 - Let It Be (5:10)
Tilahun W/Georgis - 10 - I Am On The Road (4:56)

Yared Tefera - Park Center Mood [1997] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

Yared Tefera is one of the greatest ethiopian saxophone player. 

01. Yared Tefera - Tzeta (4:08)
02. Yared Tefera - Bedesasa Gojo ° (6:06)
03. Yared Tefera - Ney Ney (6:21)
04. Yared Tefera - Menem Salasebew/Fekren Belebae ° (5:41)
05. Yared Tefera - Anchi Hoyew Lene ° (6:01)
06. Yared Tefera - Gara Sernew ° (4:28)
07. Yared Tefera - Ambasel ° (6:19)
08. Yared Tefera - Uuta Ayaskefam ° (6:05)
09. Yared Tefera - Bemeshit Chereka ° (4:52)
10. Yared Tefera - Ewedeshalehu (8:01)
11. Yared Tefera - Bemeshit Chereka ° (5:11)
12. Yared Tefera - Park Center Mood ° (6:37)

Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex - Live At The Rio Loco [Toulouse, France, 17/6/11] [2011] VIDEO

   V I D E O   

Unfortunately, 

the great ethiopian saxophonist 

Getatchew Mekuria 

died today, on the april 4th 2016, 

at the age of 81

   GETATCHEW MEKURIA PASSED AWAY TODAY

MARCH 14, 1935 - APRIL 4, 2016

Getatchew passed away today. At the age of 81 and after a musical career of 68 years. He was a truely unique saxophone player. Born in the countryside of Ethiopia, he heard the saxophone on the radio at the age of 13 and went to Addis Abeba straight away. He wanted to play saxophone! And soon after that he got himself into the Municipality Band. Later he played in the Haile Selassie Orchestra's, the National Theatre Orchestra and more.
Since 2004 he played regularly with The Ex. It was his choice after hearing us at one of our festivals. He recognized something in our music which reminded him of the early groups he was in, like the Fetan Band (Speed Band). He loved playing with us and for us it was also an incredible experience. He was always totally himself, full-on intense and dedicated. We played more than 100 concerts and made two beautiful albums together.
The last few years, his health was not very good. He couldn't really go on tour anymore. As a kind of farewell concert for his fans, we organized a big event in the National Theatre in Addis Abeba. He got lots of attention and respect that night: 1500 people in the audience, three TV stations and a legendary concert. Getatchew was playing while sitting on a chair, but his playing was stronger than ever.
His whole life was music. With his unique sound and approach he leaves behind an eternal inspiration!

We will miss him.

The Ex & Friends

Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex

       Getatchew Mekuria is the most revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone -  a physical and musical giant whose “Negus of Ethiopian Sax”  album featured in the acclaimed “Ethiopiques” reissue series. Now 76 years old, he has collaborated with all the great Ethiopian singers over the years and is still in full voice with his own, powerfully distinctive style of playing. His huge vibrato, both forceful and fragile, plays around the vocal lines, using typical Ethiopian embellishments. He dons a lion’s mane when he plays and cuts loose with furious solos that come over like a kind of free jazz from before free jazz existed.

     Since 1979, Amsterdam’s The Ex have consistently pushed the envelope, plotting a restless course from their anarchist punk origins to embrace everything sound could throw at them. Their thrillingly raw and rhythmic rock sound is born from their ideals, musical friendships/networks and work ethic. They are one of the most visceral rock units in action today.

     Ever hungry to place themselves in unfamiliar contexts, The Ex toured Ethiopia twice and fell in love with its music, which led to them inviting Getatchew to perform at their 25th anniversary party in Holland. His contribution to proceedings blasted everyone off stage, and, suitably inspired, The Ex invited him on tour with them, their incendiary live collaboration bearing fruits in a blistering album released on the band’s Terp Records imprint in 2006.