Ketema Makonnen - Ketema Makonnen [PH131] [1972] [ethiopia]

originally posted here : A Tertiary Source

           An incredibly skilled player of the Kirar, or the 6-string bowled lyre, Ketema Makonnen's style is comparable to that of Kassa Tessema (who was recently documented on Buda's Ethiopiques). Deeply sorrowful and forlorn, these strings kick up a dusty trail of longing, intuitively navigated by his warm, rustic voice. I find his style much more penetrating than that of Kassa's, where Tessema has a gentler pluck of his krar and a softer vocal leverage, Ketema has a higher degree of ferocity.

Ketema Makonnen - Tizita 1974-5

            Although digging up information on Mekonnen has proven to be difficult, partially due to the varied spellings of his last name (Amharic to English translations are, indeed, fickle), he does have at least one other album recorded for Phillips documented from 1974.

       On this album, many recognizable Tizita classics are heard, including Tizita itself, as well as a personal favorite, Mela Mela (any Ethiopian artist who sings this heart-wrenching ballad tends to leave an impression on me). Mekonnen's rendition is gorgeous, and some of the more obscure titles on the B side match the quality of it. Whirling with delirious melodic shifts, Mekonnen's style is unique and compelling. While basic details of his life are difficult to extract from the labyrinthine depths of the internet, his mark is made on the traditional side of 1970s Ethiopia with this deeply emotional recording.

Ketema Makonnen - 01 - Tizita (5:23)

Ketema Makonnen - 02 - Fano-Che Belew (4:23)

Ketema Makonnen - 03 - Bati (4:25)

Ketema Makonnen - 04 - Mela Mela (6:26)

Ketema Makonnen - 05 - Antchi Hoye (6:07)

Ketema Makonnen - 06 - Gele Beyi (2:47)

Ketema Makonnen - 07 - Endegena (4:29)

Ketema Makonnen - 08 - Ainama Konjo (4:14)

Ketema Makonnen - 09 - Negireshalehu (3:51)

Ketema Makonnen - 10 - Kibret Alem (2:52)

Ketema Makonnen - 11 - Gussumaye (4:17)

Ketema Makonnen - 12 - Amognegn (4:19)

Abrar Osman - Shama Bel [2014] [eritrea]

Abrar Osman - ኣይውረድ  Aiwured

Abrar Osman - 01 - Shama Bel (6:55)
Abrar Osman - 02 - Mieti Kab Mieti (6:02)
Abrar Osman - 03 - Dig Eritrea (5:45)
Abrar Osman - 04 - Yikdenena (7:41)
Abrar Osman - 05 - Tsebah (6:57)
Abrar Osman - 06 - Ayiwred (8:42)
Abrar Osman - 07 - Halew (7:09)
Abrar Osman - 08 - Baskta Himboba (5:43)

Ethiocolor - Ethiocolor [2014] [ethiopia]

         Ethiocolor is a cultural traditional band consisting of Kirar (a kind of lyre), Bass Kirar, Washint (flute), Kebero (traditional drums) and Massinqo. This band, led by traditional dancer Melaku Belay, is the cream of the crop of cultural musicians and dancers of the country. All of them share the common priority to represent the traditional styles in an accurate, lively and new way, as well as to spread their music all over the world.

      Since its inception in 2009, word has spread fast for this young group. They have already won a wide audience in Addis Abeba and through the country. Moreover, each member of Ethiocolor possesses extensive national and international experience. Musicians and dancers have collaborated with traditional music projects, but also with jazz, rock, fusion and hip-hop artists. All these experiences separate Ethiocolor from other traditional groups by giving their music a special “color”.

     “Our goal is not just to assemble the best traditional musicians and create another folk ensemble. Our unique vision is to demonstrate that the immense musical heritage of Ethiopia can be performed with a great degree of creativity while still maintaining its identity”, says Melaku Belay, leader and founder of the cultural group.

Ethiocolor Band at Festival EtnoSur (Spain)

Members of the band are: 

Yohannes Aferworq (flute), 

Anteneh Teklemariam (bass kirar), 

Nardos Tasfaw (chant/vocals), 

Dagim (dance), 

Endres Hassen (mesenqo), 

Fasika Hailu (kirar), 

Frehiwot (dance), 

Hawa (chant/vocals), 

Selamnesh Zemene (chant/vocals),

Tesfaye Taye (chant/vocals), 

Melaku Belay (dance), 

Misale Legesse (kebero), 

Zinash Tsegaye (dance).

Ethiocolor - 01 - Ante Gongarie [Selemnesh Zemene] (5:23)

Ethiocolor - 02 - Otai Ma na [Tokato Mena] (6:20)

Ethiocolor - 03 - Helle Loyo Helle loha [Hawa Talen] (4:32)

Ethiocolor - 04 - Mindjarie [Tesfaye Taye] (6:08)

Ethiocolor - 05 - Sekota [Wudie Tesfaw] (3:52)

Ethiocolor - 06 - Keremiela [Tesfaye Taye] (6:13)

Ethiocolor - 07 - Shimunmun [Selemnesh Zemene] (7:30)

Ethiocolor - 08 - Selel Abliyom [Mizan Tesfaye] (7:00)

Ethiocolor - 09 - Ayana Woga [Dereje Zemedu] (6:11)

Ethiocolor - 10 - Mali Malonayie [Tesfaye Taye & Kidane Haile] (5:26)

Tilahun Gessesse - Nuriligne Hiwote (1st album) [1963] [ethiopia]

     The first album of the legendary Ethiopian singer Tilahun Gessesse that was released on 1963 for the first time released again.

Tilahun Gessesse - Ye Hiwote Hiwot

Tilahun Gessesse - 01 - Kerech satasredagn (7:55)
Tilahun Gessesse - 02 - Wubit wubit (7:09)
Tilahun Gessesse - 03 - Nuriligne hiwote (7:21)
Tilahun Gessesse - 04 - Siyagatim desta new (8:57)
Tilahun Gessesse - 05 - Bewubetua amira (5:31)
Tilahun Gessesse - 06 - Etu simish manew (5:20)
Tilahun Gessesse - 07 - Track 7 (9:07)
Tilahun Gessesse - 08 - Yachin lidj atinku (7:08)
Tilahun Gessesse - 09 - Lenat Ethiopia (3:21)

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)