Betsat Seyoum - Basresagn [2005] [ethiopia]

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            Bitsat Seyoum was born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. She attended ‘Felege Yordanos Elementary School’ (staring at the age of 4) and ‘Shemeles Habte Secondary School’. She always loved singing and was encouraged by many friends to perform. One thing led to another and Bitsat found herself beginning her singing career in an ‘Azmari Bet’ (a traditional venue where musicians {azmaris} alongside dancers and instrumentalists, perform traditional Ethiopian music). Her music was discovered by many and soon, she was touring internationally.

Bitseat Seyoum - Basresagna

       Working with all the big names of that musical era, Bitsat began recording her songs. Mulatu Astatke (who is often referred to as the father of EthioJazz) arranged the music for her first cassette recording. With masters of the Amharic poetic form ‘Wax and Gold’ (traditional poetry characterised by double meaning) and musicians and composers like Tilahun Gessesse, Gultu Tefera, Teddy Afro, Moges Teka, Mulugeta Tesfaye, Yelema Gebreabe and plenty more, she performed and recorded her work. She opened up her own successful night club in Addis Abeba named BITSAT and became famous for her witty and skilful improvisations of the ‘Wax and Gold’ poetry.

       Bitsat now lives in Melbourne with her husband, Tesfaye Temamo (a writer, director and actor) and children.

01. Betsat Seyoum - Basresagn (6:16)
02. Betsat Seyoum - Yichalal (4:26)
03. Betsat Seyoum - Enesebaseb (7:24)
04. Betsat Seyoum - Senafekeh (5:45)
05. Betsat Seyoum - Sewuyew (6:33)
06. Betsat Seyoum - Feker Awkalehu (4:48)
07. Betsat Seyoum - Alsemen Geba Belew (6:07)
08. Betsat Seyoum - Tebebegnaw (5:02)
09. Betsat Seyoum - Getenetu (6:08)
10. Betsat Seyoum - Bawetagn (4:37)

Dub Colossus - Addis Through The Looking Glass [2011] [ethiopia]

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       Dub Colossus is a collective of Ethiopian musicians working with Western musicians fascinated by the richness of the Ethiopian sound. 

      
      A Town Called Addis ...was their striking debut in 2008 but this is better, probably thanks to their live concerts. 

       There's a strong reggae influence, but it's songs like the punchy Guragigna that stand out, with great vocals by "the Ethiopian Edith Piaf", Sintayehu Zenebe, underpinned by a piano ostinato and a muscular horn section with great sax solos.

Mulatu Astatke - Ethio Jazz Vol.1 [2006] [ethiopia]

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01. Mulatu Astatke - Kasalefkut Hulu (2:29)
02. Mulatu Astatke - Yelib Lay Esat (4:31)
03. Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu (5:06)
04. Mulatu Astatke - Yekermo Sew (4:24)
05. Mulatu Astatke - Chiferra (7:05)
06. Mulatu Astatke - E Bola (6:46)
07. Mulatu Astatke - Kulun (2:14)
08. Mulatu Astatke - Tsome Diguwa (9:39)
09. Mulatu Astatke - Wolayita (6:40)
10. Mulatu Astatke - Yekatit (3:59)
11. Mulatu Astatke - Munaye (3:35)
12. Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu's Mood (4:15)

Baaro - Rhythm City [1997] [ethiopia]

          After fleeing their homeland of Ethiopia in the late '70s to avoid conflict with the Marxist government, a trio of reggae musicians made their way to the United States. Landing in Chicago, the three musicians began playing their African and Jamaican-flavored jams in reggae clubs around the city.

        Fronted by singer/guitarist Mulu Gessesse, the band consisted of Mulu's brother Zeleke Gessesse and close friend Meluka Retts.

      In 1980, the band assumed the name Dallol, and put together a demo tape. Dallol gained a sizable following in Chicago quickly with its distinct Ethiopian-flavored sound.

      The demo soon found its way all over the country, outside of the United States, across the Caribbean and into the hands of a certain famous family in Jamaica.

       "It was 1981, right after Bob (Marley) died," Mulu recalled. "Our tape made its way to Rita (Marley), and she asked us to go on down to Jamaica. That was our first contact with the Marleys."

            Contacts with the first family of reggae proved to be a good thing for Dallol. Rita Marley produced the band's first full-length album and helped the band out in a number of ways. Lodging and other commodities were provided to Dallol by the Marleys as the band made its tour of the islands.

         It wasn't long before the Marleys became more than contacts, with friendships forming between Dallol and Bob's son, Ziggy Marley.

"Ziggy was only 10 years old when we met him," Mulu explained. "As a matter of fact, he played his first show with us."

            Good ties with the Marleys continued, and soon Dallol was asked to tour with Ziggy's newly formed band "Ziggy and the Melody Makers." Dallol's Ethiopian and reggae roots served as a perfect backdrop to Ziggy's continuation of his father's style and heartfelt messages.

           In the late '80s, Dallol toured and recorded with Ziggy. The result of the combined effort was heard worldwide. One platinum and one gold album elevated Dallol to superstar status in the reggae industry.

         "That experience was great because it enabled us to go all over the world," Mulu said.

          After about five years with Marley, Dallol returned to its second home in Chicago. Included in the move were a couple line change ups and a change of name for the group. Upon the addition of three more members, including two female vocalists, Dallol changed its name to Baaro.

            Since moving back to Chicago, Baaro has made many national, as well as international, media appearances.

     Included in Baaro's impressive list of accomplishments are appearances on David Letterman, Soul Train, the NAACP Image Awards, BBC and the Arsenio Hall Show. Baaro's most recent television appearance was a slot on the Oprah Winfrey Show three weeks ago.

          The band has continued doing what it does best. Recording three CDs (one in 1986, 1991 and this year's "Rhythm City"), Baaro has greatly expanded its fan base, particularly in the Midwest.

         "Everywhere we go, we are getting very positive reactions, and they love our arrangements, melodies and harmonies," Mulu said. "Every new place we go to, they keep wanting us to come back. Our base has been expanding all the time. Colleges, especially, have responded very well. The last time we came to Ames, we had a wonderful party. The action and response was incredible. The same thing is happening everywhere we go."

         "Rhythm City" captures Baaro's long and eventful career by staying true to the sounds of Dallol but also adding depth with the addition of the newest members.

         Capturing the bands message of togetherness, love of all people and unity, the album also stays true to reggae roots.

      "I think the newest album reflects our experience," Mulu said. "You'll obviously hear reggae, and you'll also hear some of our Ethiopian background. It's a blend of Africa, Jamaica and urban-American music."

         The album draws on a number of musical influences, including Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, singers from Africa and South Africa, as well as pop melody influences from the Beatles.

        Being able to play music for a career has proven to be a fulfilling thing for Baaro.

       "Music gives me a medium for me to express my inner feelings," Mulu said. "Any time I get inspired about a certain idea or a certain feeling, I just go sit down and play my guitar. I'm able to transform that abstract thought into music. Seeing the finished product with the band and then recording and listening to it gives me an incredible feeling."

Baaro - 01 - Nanye (3:59)

Baaro - 02 - No More (4:25)

Baaro - 03 - Music (4:48)

Baaro - 04 - Ashema (3:11)

Baaro - 05 - My Only One Girl (4:08)

Baaro - 06 - I Ain't Got Nothing (4:39)

Baaro - 07 - Drift Away (4:28)

Baaro - 08 - Rhythm City (3:52)

Baaro - 09 - Ebolala (3:37)

Baaro - 10 - One Night Feeling (4:06)

Alemu Aga - Ethiopia [Three Chordophone Traditions] [1972]

          

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Alemu Aga, begenna master..

       Born in 1950 in Entoto, near Addis Ababa, Alemu Aga has played the Ethiopian traditional lyre begenna since he was 12, having been trained by a famous master, Aleqa Tessama Wolde-Ammanuel, who was his neighbour and teacher at his school.

       Graduated from the Addis Ababa University (in geography), he taught the begenna at the Yared Music School until 1980. He now teaches on a voluntary basis and focuses on his researches about the begenna.

       He has published numerous audiotapes and several CD's and appeared in concert worldwide. Nowadays, Alemu Aga is the most highly respected Begenna player of Ethiopia.

01   Selamta   [The Creation]   2:52

02   Fäbälähala   [The Creation]     2:40

03   ABBA Gran Motä   (Death of the Left-Handed)   5:30

04   Mädägäna Zäläsana Bätbaze   (About the Futility of Life)   4:31

05   Instrumental Melody   1:47

06   Tälafino Gomdär   3:52

07   Tene Eko   (I Am Yours and You are mine)   5:59

08   Ambasel   6:20

09   Seläla   (War Song)   3:56

10   Gämay Eney   (Come Little Girl and Chat with Me)   4:25

11   Wayä Luleho   5:03

12   Samni   (Kiss Me)   5:17

Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna [ethiopia]

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           Mezmur are the religious songs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Mezmur is the Amharic term for music, although it often has a religious connotation. Other religious groups also use the term, which is in contrast with zafan, or secular music.

             The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian churches in Africa, and it dates to pre-colonial times. As of 2015, it has between 40 and 45 million members. It has also spread outside Ethiopia, with many branches in the United States and other countries where Ethiopian immigrants have settled.

                                                                                        Mirtnesh

Tewahedo orthodox mezmur

        It has a rich musical tradition, referred to as mezmur. Mezmur plays an important part in church services, including a detailed liturgy divided into two parts and 14 sub-parts known as anaphoras. These fixed songs undergo few changes.

           Mezmur can also refer to hymns, which are more innovative, and the church continues to accept and use new hymns. These are more free-form songs of praise. Many Ethiopians take great pride in their music and strive to create beautiful songs as a sign of devotion.

      Mezmur is not purely Ethiopian Orthodox. It can refer to any religious song. The P'ent'ay, or Ethiopian protestants, also use the term mezmur. The P'ent'ay can include Pentecostals, Baptists, Mennonites and many others.

   

                 O Goyta Selam

Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Mezmur 

      The begena is an Ethiopian or Eritrean string instrument with ten strings belonging to the family of the lyre. According to oral tradition, Menelik I brought the instrument to the region from Israel, where David played on it to soothe King Saul's nerves and heal him of insomnia. Its actual origin remains in doubt, though local manuscripts depict the instrument at the beginning of the 15th century (Kimberlin 1978: 13).

     

   Known as the instrument of noblemen, monks and the upper class and performed by both men and women, the begena was used primarily as an accompaniment during meditation and prayer. Though commonly played in the home, it is sometimes played in the framework of festive occasions. During Lent, the instrument is often heard on the radio and around churches. Begena is accompanied by singing voice only. The singer may compose his or her own texts or they may be taken from the Bible, from the Book of Proverbs, or from the Book of Qine, an anthology of proverbs and love poems. Subject matter includes the futility of life, the inevitability of death, saints, mores, morality, prayer, and praises to God. The song's duration varies according to the text, the audience, and the persistence of the player. Though many texts are of a religious nature, the instrument is not used in the Ethiopian Orthodox church services, even if it is seen occasionally in religious processions outside the church.

      Because of the instrument's relatively intimate and sacred role in society, the begena is not common to find. Meditation and prayer are very private, personal endeavors, and hearsay suggests that the instrument is played by very few and is a dying art. However, in 1972, the Yared Music School in Addis Ababa began formal instruction in the begena. Since 2004, evening courses are organized and the begena is still played.

A begena player strumming.

     The begena has ten strings. However, different musicians use varying numbers of strings to play the begena. For example, begena teacher Memhr Sisay Demissae uses all ten strings to play the begena, while other players may use five or six of the strings. The left hand is used to pluck the strings.

         When all ten strings are plucked, one method of tuning the begena is to tune each pair of strings to one of the pitches in a pentatonic scale. When using five of the stings, only the first, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth strings are tuned and plucked to give sound. Finally, while playing the begena using six strings, the left hand plucks strings one, three, four, six, eight, and ten (starting from the left side when facing the instrument). The pointing finger plucks strings three and four while the other fingers are in charge of controlling one string each. The remaining strings are used for the finger rests or stops after the strings have been plucked, allowing the plucked string to vibrate.

         The begena may also be played using a system called girf, wherein a plectrum made of horn or wood is used to pluck the ten strings of the begena. Megabe Sebhat Alemu Aga plays begena both by using his fingertips and girf.

       The begena is characterized by a very specific buzzing sound, due to U-shaped leather pieces placed between each string and the bridge. The thong for each string is adjusted up or down along the bridge so that the string, when plucked, repeatedly vibrates against the edge of the bridge.

01. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 01 (5:55)
02. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 02 (6:29)
03. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 03 (4:48)
04. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 04 (7:00)
05. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 05 (6:03)
06. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 06 (6:06)
07. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 07 (5:54)
08. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 08 (6:30)
09. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 09 (5:20)
10. Ehul Saged - Mezmur & Bägäna - Track 10 (7:01)




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