Sami Dan - Keras Gar Negeger [2016] [ethiopia]

        Samuel Berhanu popularly known as Sami Dan is a reggae artist. He attended Addis Ababa University where he graduated with a degree in Construction Technology and Management. His music career began while in high school. At the time he played with the Eldan band for five years. He took a break to focus on his education and after he graduated he joined Hasset Acoustic Band and played for three years. With Hasset, he had the opportunity to be part of Sydney Solomon and Imperial Majestic Band and played there for a year.

         In 2014 Sami Dan started his own band, Zewd Acoustic. That year Sami also released a four-song promotional CD. His singles ‘Anchi Yene’ and ‘Shegitu’ got overwhelmingly positive feedback on radio and online. 

         He released his debut album Keras Gar Negeger in 2016.

Sami Dan - Kalesh Anchi [Lyrics] (ካለሽ አንቺ)

     

        Now with an intention to approach the entertainment world with a unique sound and style, Sami Dan has written all 13 tracks on the new album, songs that address critical social issues in Ethiopia like legislation and work ethics. Keras Gar Negeger (Speaking with oneself) is released by Blue Media PLC, the company better known for organising the Taste of Addis Food Festival and the Addis Beer Fest.

       An energetic live performer, Sami says his new album contains his own deep ideas and life experiences. He believes that artists are leaders in society and therefore need to address issues that affect the society, while also pointing out problems in the society with a view of encouraging positive change. “The ideas and the experiences I have acquired over the years in my career are interpreted in the album. I hope they will help someone learn from my challenges and successes,” he says.

*read interwiev with Sami Dan here >

Sami Dan - Man Yamnishal [Lyrics] (ማን ያምንሻል)

        Reggae is the dominant genre on the album but Sami says that as a versatile artist he has also included other genres. He reckons that reggae in Ethiopia is growing, but based on the history of the genre it has not yet attained the status it deserves. He is hopeful that a new crop of artists will take Ethiopian reggae to greater heights, and that his new album will contribute to the growth of reggae in the country.

Sami Dan - 01 - Wede Lay (4:03)

Sami Dan - 02 - Kalsh Anchi (5:00)

Sami Dan - 03 - Dimts Alba Sew (4:58)

Sami Dan - 04 - Yefetari Dirset (5:37)

Sami Dan - 05 - Tefa Yemileyen (5:02)

Sami Dan - 06 - Ewnet (4:53)

Sami Dan - 07 - Zare (4:36)

Sami Dan - 08 - Hoya Hoye (6:35)

Sami Dan - 09 - Fikir Selam (4:47)

Sami Dan - 10 - Man Yamnishal (4:51)

Sami Dan - 11 - Esatu Zemen (4:15)

Sami Dan - 12 - Yene Hayl (4:39)

Sami Dan - 13 - Yagere Lij (4:28)

Henok & Mehari Brothers - 790 [2008 E.C] [2016] [ethiopia]

     The Mehari Brothers started off backing artists like Zeritu Kebede and have also worked with other leading Ethiopian acts, including Teddy Afro, Johnny Ragga and Eyob Mekonnen.

      Before the Mehari Brothers emerged on the Ethiopian scene, singers usually received the most attention at live shows, with bands relegated to a back-up role.

Henok & Mehari Brothers - Yenenesh (Lyrics)

    In 2016 the band released a fifteen track album "790". The bands front-man Henok Mehari was also selected to participate at the Coke Studio Africa in Kenya that same year.

The band members

Henok Mehari on keys and vocals, 

Robel Mehari on guitar, 

Lwam Mehari on bass, 

Halal Mehari on drums, 

Tesfamariam Elias on keys and 

Zelalem Nigatu on drums.

Amaan Nyafaroo - Biyyee Fi Biyyakoo [2017] [ethiopia]

Amaan Nyafaroo - 01 - Onnee Ijoollee Baalee (28:25)

Amaan Nyafaroo - 02 - Biyyi Ofii Haadha (1:15)

Amaan Nyafaroo - 03 - Du'aan Boodas Ta'uu (1:04)

Amaan Nyafaroo - 04 - Biyyee Fi Biyyakoo (40:58)

Amaan Nyafaroo - 05 - Ni Beeka Ni Beekta (1:25)

Amaan Nyafaroo - 06 - Si Boontuu Oromoo (1:24)

Amaan Nyafaroo - 07 - Eebbisaa Addunyaa (6:08)

Colonel Lemma Demissew - 7 songs [ethiopia]

          One of the most successful musicians of the 1970s and 80s Colonel Lemma Demissew has died at the age of 68 on Saturday, August 24th 2009. A pianist, composer, singer and arranger, Lemma was the leading musician of Armed Forces band, a band that has entertained the army and visiting heads of states for decades. Among his appreciative audiences were Fidel Castro of Cuba, Libya’s Muammar al-Qaddafi and the Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

        His songs such as “Astawesalehu” “Adrashas Tefabegn” and “Des Balagnalech” are still popular hits. Lemma also maintains reputation for arranging many of Mahmoud Ahmed’s and Alemayehu Eshete anthological vinyl records.

Lemma Demissew - አስታዉሳለሁ ( Astawsalehu )

          Born in Welisso in 1940, Lemma studied high school at Hailemaryam Mamo Secondary High School in Debre Birhan town and at the age of 15 joined the music section of the Armed Forces. There among other things he taught himself to play clarinet. Lemma impressed his superiors with his unique vocal style, demonstrating both outstanding range and the influences of western music. During his time in the Armed Forces, he has taken many musical courses, including a six-year-training in conducting in Soviet Union.

        Lemma has composed a number of official army songs by frequently abandoning the traditional rules and disciplines. He created new harmonies and pioneered new musical forms in which to present his musical ideas. Part of his success was the result of his mastery of the pleasant, tuneful style of piano. The single “Astawesalehu Mech Eresalehu” was his first hit and his talent for melodious, sentimental ballads became his most distinguishing feature. This music remains Lemma signature work and a favorite hit on local radio stations.

          Starting as simple soldier in 1974 he became an army commander and conductor of the roving marshal band. His advancement was rapid. His personal charm and his artistic abilities were partly responsible for his rapid advancement in the army.

       When Lemma resigned in 1993 after the army was disbanded, he was colonel. Even after that, he was much sought as a piano teacher by many, and his long list of students was a roster of the young and the old.

Lemma Demissew - ሰው መሳይ ሾካኮች  (Sew Mesay Shokakoch)

            In May 2009 when the Alliance Ethio-Francise organized the 8th Ethiopian Music Festival has chosen to honor Lemma and Sahle Dagago, another notable arranger and composer who is at present in poor health. Comparing it with Sahel Degago, Francis Falsetto described Lemma’s music as a feverish modernist, deeply inspired by the electric wave born on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

       Getachew Debalqe, a renowned stage personality, described Lemma as a hardworking and diligent musician. Getachew told Addis Journal that he was able visit Lemma two days before his demise. “I was lucky to be able to see him on Thursday. He didn’t say much but was able to utter some words.” Lemma had a stroke few years ago that has left him paralyzed.

            Bahata Gebrehiwot, a musician of Lemma‘s era, said Lemma was a great musician. “He has had a tremendous musical achievement yet remained very modest and reserved.” Bahta remarked though Lemma was able to lead his family autonomously, he hasn’t much of financial fortunes. “Like many other musicians, he hasn’t made much use of his music and hasn’t got the recognition he deserved,” says Bahta.

Lemma Demissew - 01 - Adrashash Tefabegn (2:52)

Lemma Demissew - 02 - Almaz enqu mesay (3:48)

Lemma Demissew - 03 - Astawesalehu (4:05)

Lemma Demissew - 04 - Konjo Lij Ayiche (4:05)

Lemma Demissew - 05 - Kulun Man Kualeshe (6:37)

Lemma Demissew - 06 - Kurtun Negerygn (2:05)

Lemma Demissew - 07 - Lezelalem Nuri (2:30)

Either/Orchestra - Live at Berklee [usa+eth]

Founded in 1985 by saxophonist & composer Russ Gershon, the ten-piece Either/Orchestra, based in Somerville MA, is one of the jazz world's most long-lived and distinguished groups.  Alumni include jazz stars such as John Medeski, Matt Wilson, Miguel Zenon, Jaleel Shaw & Josh Roseman.

The E/O, featuring a six piece horn section, piano, bass, drums and congas, has put its stamp on just about every style of jazz, from big band, swing and bop to Latin jazz, electric and avant-garde.  The last decade or more has found the band absorbing an Afro-Caribbean influence through a succession of Latino members.  

Teshome Mitiku with Either/Orchestra

More unusually, the E/O has become deeply involved with Ethiopian music, touring there and collaborating with many Ethiopian greats of the outstanding 1960's generation.  Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed and Teshome Mitiku are among the band's favorites.  The Ethiopian connection includes the double CD Ethiopíques 20: Live in Addis and the DVD Ethiogroove: Mahmoud Ahmed and Either/Orchestra.

Over the years, the E/O has been recognized with five Boston Music Awards, perennial placement in the Big Band category of the Down Beat International Critics Poll, and leader Gershon was nominated for an arranging Grammy for his composition "Bennie Moten's Weird Nightmare," included in The Calculus of Pleasure.

The E/O began performing original arrangements of Ethiopian songs, inspired by a compilation called Ethiopian Groove: the Golden 70s. In 2000, after three of these songs appeared on the album More Beautiful than Death, Francis Falceto, the producer of Ethiopian Groove, contacted Gershon and eventually arranged an invitation for the E/O to play at the Ethiopian Music Festival in Addis Ababa in 2004. 

Along with Indo-British singer Susheela Raman the same year, the E/O was the first non-Ethiopian artist to appear in the festival, and was the first US big band to appear in Ethiopia since Duke Ellington's in 1973. Their concert at the festival was recorded and ultimately appeared in Falceto's Ethiopiques series on the French Buda Musique label. Five Ethiopian guests appear on the recording: Mulatu Astatke, Getatchew Mekurya, Tsedenia Markos, Bahta Hewet and Michael Belayneh. This tour and recording have led to an ongoing collaboration with Astatke, the primary founder of Ethiopian jazz, concerts with Ethiopian expatriates singer Hana Shenkute, krar player Minale Dagnew, masinko player Setegn Atanaw, and the great Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed with whom E/O released a DVD in 2007. 

Mahmoud Ahmed and fellow legendary Ethiopian singer Alemayehu Eshete played Lincoln Center Out of Doors in 2008 backed by E/O. The group debuted a collaboration with vocalist Teshome Mitiku in the summer of 2010, including a headlining appearance at the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Either Orchestra - 01 - Introduction (3:03)
Either Orchestra - 02 - Tigrigna,Oromigna,Guragigna (14:06)
Either Orchestra - 03 - Arehibi (9:34)
Either Orchestra - 04 - Ethiopia (5:20)
Either Orchestra - 05 - Yamnaw Bedele (6:55)
Either Orchestra - 06 - Yeqir Beqa (6:07)



guests :

Minnale Danew - krar
Setegn Atanaw - masinko
Hana Shenkute - vocal

Nega Addisu - Ambassel Tewesta Instrumental Vol 6 [2017] [ethiopia]

Ambassel

Nega Addisu - 01 - Guramayle (6:37)

Nega Addisu - 02 - Esele (7:31)

Nega Addisu - 03 - Selamu (4:15)

Nega Addisu - 04 - Gumaye (6:39)

Nega Addisu - 05 - Mejemeriya Fikri (4:58)

Nega Addisu - 06 - Segemeye (5:47)

Nega Addisu - 07 - Leminey (6:38)

Nega Addisu - 08 - Meley (7:31)

Nega Addisu - 09 - Saba Sabina (6:00)

Nega Addisu - 10 - Bekutaki (5:44)

Nega Addisu - 11 - Keren Tse'ada (5:47)