Abdi Nuressa - [2009] - Irree Aadaa [usa+ethiopia]

             Another rising star is the Washington-based Oromo singer Abdi Nuressa. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter is a breath of fresh air, combining love, politics and empowerment. 

          Born in the Western part of Oromia region and brought up in Addis Ababa, Abdi emigrated to the US as a teenager. He was naturally influenced by the different cultures to which he was exposed but has remained true to his roots, as clearly seen in his music. He kicked off his singing career by performing cover versions of old Oromo classics such as those of Ali Birra. His debut album, Iree Adda, was released at the end of July 2009, marking his arrival on the music scene. The album, bearing an English subtitle The Power of Culture, can be seen as a political statement and an expression of the longing to return to his roots. The strong and energetic rhythms, taken from the Oromo tradition, are mingled in a subtle way with the sounds of reggae, funk, folk and hip-hop. 

Abdi Nuressa - Ayyaana Laalattuu

      One song in particular on that album, 'Ayyaana Laalattu' (Afan Oromo for 'opportunist'), put Abdi Nuressa on the map. Crossing the language barrier, the song was a big hit both in Ethiopia and abroad, among people who speak the language and those who don't. It proved the star's argument that "if we Oromo artists can deliver quality music, the language can never be a barrier, especially in our time."

Abdi Nuressa - 01 - Nutuu Laafe (4:50)

Abdi Nuressa - 02 - Ee Sobaan Wallolle (5:26)

Abdi Nuressa - 03 - Qotee Bulaa (4:32)

Abdi Nuressa - 04 - Utuman Sijaaladhuu (4:05)

Abdi Nuressa - 05 - Tokkummaatu Wayyaa (6:24)

Abdi Nuressa - 06 - Yaa Raahaa (6:05)

Abdi Nuressa - 07 - Sinbirree Ta'ee (3:58)

Abdi Nuressa - 08 - Wal-argaan Hinoolu (5:01)

Abdi Nuressa - 09 - Shaggoyee Xabanna (4:39)

Abdi Nuressa - 10 - Guyyaa Gammachuu (6:14)

Abdi Nuressa - 11 - Argee Laalee Laalee (5:58)

Abdi Nuressa - 12 - Ayyaana Laalattuu (4:48)

Abdi Nuressa - 13 - Bareeduu Baadiyaa (4:52)

Dereje Mekonnen - Tarik [ethiopia]

       Dereje Mekonnen began his career in the early 1980's as a keyboard player in the Ibex band, which accompanied the singer Mahmoud Ahmed on three albums. Then He founded the formation Dallol, a reggae band with which he concerted in Chicago. He also accompanied  Ziggy Marley on his albums Conscious Party (1988) and One Bright Day (1989), which were awarded the Grammy. After numerous tours with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, he founded band Gizzae in 1991, with which he appeared mainly in Chicago and the Midwest of the USA. He also worked with Ethiopian musicians like Tilahun Gessesse and Ephrem Tamiru. Dereje also produced the first album of Ejigayehu Shibabaw, One Ethiopia (1998). 

Dereje Makonnen died young, at the age of 49 years.

Ibex Band - Yezemed Yebada

       To most of his adoring fans that got close to knowing him by first name, he was just simply known to them as "DJ" and more importantly to his own family and ours, we called him Dereje. The 5th one down from a family of eleven (also his favorite chord progression...) and in my humble opinion: the most gifted keyboard player there is among Ethiopian Musicians. 

      Dereje "DJ" Makonnen was not one to drop names nor pre-occupy his time and energy with whom he has worked with and/or help bring them to stardom, he wanted to play music since he can actually see the blueprint of what the song should be each time the singer/artist bring the lyrics and the "Zema" (pronounced Zay_MAH: a word in amharic which means melody). 

     Dereje Makonnen was one of the key element in revolutionizing modern Ethiopian Music (meaning using non-traditional musical instruments) He was always playing the guitar [his favorite instrument] the keys and also the bass at the forefront of trying new sounds and arrangement styles that no one was attempting. Many of the current Ethiopian musicians refer to him as a mentor.

Dereje Mekonnen - 01 - Che belew (3:49)

Dereje Mekonnen - 02 - Anchi Hoye (5:28)

Dereje Mekonnen - 03 - Ethiopia (5:00)

Dereje Mekonnen - 04 - Yekermo sew (4:52)

Dereje Mekonnen - 05 - Mamaye (3:51)

Dereje Mekonnen - 06 - Yidenekal (5:16)

Dereje Mekonnen - 07 - Ambassel (4:18)

Dereje Mekonnen - 08 - Sileyat (4:21)

Dereje Mekonnen - 09 - Tarik (3:06)

Dereje Mekonnen - 10 - Eyuat sitinafikegn (4:52)

Jorga Mesfin - The Kind Ones: Degagochu [2008] [ethiopia]

       Jorga Mesfin is a self taught musician with influences that span the spirit and innovation of Jazz and the ancient and diverse sounds found in Ethiopian music. 

Wudasse - Ete Mate

    A professional performer since the age of 17, his career boasts appearances with Tsegaye Gebremedhin, Carolyn Beard Withlow, The Last Poets, Vijay Iyer, Wayna Wondossen, Kirk Whalum, Takana Miyamoto, Gizze Reggae band, Dionne Farris, Aster Aweke, Mahmoud Ahmed and Mulatu Astatke. 

     He is the founder of Ethio-jazz group Wudasse, and composed the score to Haile Gerima’s epic Ethiopian movie Teza, for which he won the award for Best Music Selection at the 22nd Carthage Film Festival and Best Composer Award at the 5th Dubai International Film Festival. As a saxophone and piano instructor, Jorga teaches at the at African Jazz School, Mekanisa Mekanyesys Music School and the Wusate Berhan Abere Music Training Center for the Visually Impaired.

Jorga Mesfin - 01 - Eretcha (Thanksgiving) (8:05)
Jorga Mesfin - 02 - The Portal (1:10)
Jorga Mesfin - 03 - Longing (7:50)
Jorga Mesfin - 04 - Pilgrimage (12:15)
Jorga Mesfin - 05 - The Kind Ones (12:57)
Jorga Mesfin - 06 - Tizita (11:42)
Jorga Mesfin - 07 - Spring Water (7:58)
Jorga Mesfin - 08 - Yeabay Gizo (6:18)

Melaku Tegegn - Classical Music [ethiopia]

Melaku Tegegn - Mela Tistegn

Melaku Tegegn - 01 - Alemush Mambo (6:50)
Melaku Tegegn - 02 - Kebetbata (6:31)
Melaku Tegegn - 03 - Tiztaye nesh (4:57)
Melaku Tegegn - 04 - Chelo malif tiru (3:57)
Melaku Tegegn - 05 - Endeanchi Alayehum (3:48)
Melaku Tegegn - 06 - Ayechewalew (4:04)
Melaku Tegegn - 07 - Bonbu Fikirsh (4:43)
Melaku Tegegn - 08 - Menew Teleyeshign (7:35)
Melaku Tegegn - 09 - Lebe Deg Yetenal (5:26)
Melaku Tegegn - 10 - Mela tisetiegn (5:23)
Melaku Tegegn - 11 - Yelebe Lay Esat (6:24)

Tilahun Gessesse - Min Taregiwalesh [ethiopia]

Tilahun Gessesse - Min Taregewalesh

Tilahun Gessesse - 01 - Keremt Alfo (5:42)
Tilahun Gessesse - 02 - Sebebegna (5:50)
Tilahun Gessesse - 03 - Shemunaye (6:25)
Tilahun Gessesse - 04 - Wodjeshe Eko New (5:10)
Tilahun Gessesse - 05 - Sherer Bey (Oromegna) (6:06)
Tilahun Gessesse - 06 - Mintaregiwalesh (4:46)
Tilahun Gessesse - 07 - Yekerb Eruk Hona (5:51)
Tilahun Gessesse - 08 - Mewdeden Lingershe (3:45)
Tilahun Gessesse - 09 - Endiaw Siakebtegne (5:44)
Tilahun Gessesse - 10 - Neyelign (7:19)

Mesele Asmamaw - Ethiopian Traditional Songs (vol. 2) [ethiopia]

Mesele Asmamaw is one of the best ethiopian krar players. He has been playing in the Mohammed Jimmy Mohammed Trio touring Europe since 2004.  He is also member of Qwanqwa band.

Mesele Asmamaw - Minew ene, Sekota

Mesele Asmamaw - 01 - Minew ene, Sekota (8:29)
Mesele Asmamaw - 02 - Yehager fikir, Zeraf (7:27)
Mesele Asmamaw - 03 - Lele (4:53)
Mesele Asmamaw - 04 - Woin abeba, Tiz alegn (7:37)
Mesele Asmamaw - 05 - Damaye (4:49)
Mesele Asmamaw - 06 - Shegeye, Kemekem (11:02)
Mesele Asmamaw - 07 - Hailaloye (5:30)
Mesele Asmamaw - 08 - Yagere lij (6:43)
Mesele Asmamaw - 09 - Yashirishire (5:17)
Mesele Asmamaw - 10 - Yalew gelel (4:39)