Chachi Tadesse - [1994] - Global Rhythm [ethiopia]

Chachi Tadesse - I am African

         Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Chachi Tadesse has used her roots to grow an international music career. At the age of sixteen Chachi joined a well known Ethiopian cover-band, touring extensively while building her musical skills and fan base. In 1982 Chachi moved to the USA, taking classes in Music, acting and modeling and touring extensively with reggae artists. 

       Chachi is most known for her musical career as one of the first Ethiopian artists to blend the sounds of reggae with Amharic. After releasing her first album, in Washington D.C., she traveled extensively and got involved in acting, modeling, voice lessons, and fashion design. Chachi returned to Ethiopia in 1992 with her first album selling over 90,000 copies worldwide, but her focus was honed in on the plight of street children rather than on her musical success.

Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 01 (5:19)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 02 (4:30)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 03 (3:34)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 04 (4:21)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 05 (5:07)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 06 (6:11)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 07 (5:51)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 08 (5:31)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 09 (4:38)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 10 (5:14)
Chachi Taddesse - Chachi Taddesse 11 (7:45)

v.a. - Ethiopie - Musiques Vocales Et Instrumentales [Disc 2] [1971]

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    with full booklet   

Teddy Afro [Tewodros Kasahun] - Tarik Tesera [2004] [ethiopia]

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       In 2004, Teddy released his most successful single to date, Tarik Teserra ("History was Made"), in honor of of world record holder and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, Kenenisa Bekele. The song captured the emotions of the entire Ethiopian nation. A music video was compiled including footage from other great Ethiopian long distance runners, and of Bekele's 10,000 meter gold run in the 2004 summer Olympics. Throughout the video, Bekele is referred to as the new Anbessa ("Lion") in Ethiopian long distance running, succeeding the great Haile Gebrselassie. Bekele is shown several times looking back for his mentor Haile Gebrselassie, who was unable to run the 10,000 meter race at full pace due to a lingering injury. 

        The single raised Afro's reputation as one of the greatest Ethiopian musical artists of his time, and heightened the release of his second album.

        13 songs, 68 minutes. Enjoy.

Haile Roots - [2012] - Chiggae [ethiopia]

Haile Roots - Melkam Yamarech

       Ethiopian singer Haile Roots released his first album of Amharic-language reggae called Chiggae (indicating a mix of the Ethiopian 6/8 time rhythm called “chikchika” and reggae). 

         Chiggae is the debut Amharic language album from Hailemichael Getnet, better known by his stage name as Haile Roots. The 33-year-old singer came up with a display of real roots, showcasing compelling, melodic riffs and interesting lyrics. The 13-track album, arranged and composed by Elias Melka, takes you on a journey of love, righteousness, empowerment, and is filled with rhythms that blend perfectly with his incredible voice.

       Haile first came to attention years ago when he was featured in Teddy Afro’s ‘Bob Marely’ and he later released a single track tilted ‘Yes I’ that he played live at Juvents Club and Millennium Hall. That single track is included in the newest album under a different title, Ethiopia. 

     Recorded in Addis Ababa’s Begena Studio, the new album is engaging and entertaining collection on issues of solidarity, unity, exile, loss of youth and transcending bitterness. Jamaican and Ethiopian stars ranging from Luciano to Mikey General and Eyob Mekonnen have been featured in the album. Continental drift has rarely sounded funkier.

     Album opener Woudnesh is an encouragement for women and affirmations of faith in the power of the human spirit. The singer appeals to young Ethiopian women to be strong in the face of sexual exploitation, and material obsession. Life’s challenges can be met, he says.

The title track Chiggae is a hybrid of the Ethiopian chikchika and Jamaica reggae, putting a distinctly local spin on the reggae form. The lyric goes :

Leave me alone sadness and sorrow

The sun will shine tomorrow

No more cry and sad life again

I will be stronger than my pain

  

       The relative manner provides the ample story telling for that particular thing that has happened to us all. This is particularly evident in the sixth track, Yetefa yigegnal, where the claps summon the urgency required to claw forth the truth for the prospective listener. Melkam Yamarech, showcases the singer’s romantic side.

         The twelfth track Harambee (which in Swahili means unity) also shows strength in arrangement. It has a very nice atmosphere and the instrumentation progresses enough underneath it to give you a sense of development.The message calls for creating the environment for African to move together as one people. “The more we realise what we can do together as a unit, the farther we will get as an African nation,” he says.

The lyrics go :

Weh need so much love inna Africa Land

Righteousness di way fi all human kind

No more tribal war no more confusion

One love my people one revelation

      Overall, Chiggae is one of the better contemporary reggae albums to be heard in a while, with its evocative songwriting and neat production. His homilies about peace, hope, love, unity are sincere, delivered with power, accurate time and pitch.

Haile Roots - Wedenesh (4:21)

Haile Roots - Bado Neber (3:28)

Haile Roots - Chiggae (3:03)

Haile Roots - Nisueh Quanquayie (4:10)

Haile Roots - Byemehalu (3:59)

Haile Roots - Yetefa Yigegnal (2:58)

Haile Roots - Melkam Yamarech (3:59)

Haile Roots - Ethiopia (4:45)

Haile Roots - Chew Lerasesh (3:51)

Haile Roots - Leman Biyie (4:05)

Haile Roots - Harambie (3:53)

Dawit Tsige - Betam New Emiwodish [2009] [ethiopia]

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01. Dawit Tsige - Andegana New Fikresh (4:48)
02. Dawit Tsige - Ine Kalanchi Alnorim (5:13)
03. Dawit Tsige - Bete (5:46)
04. Dawit Tsige - Yaradaw Tizita (5:54)
05. Dawit Tsige - Yehilme Tizita (5:47)
06. Dawit Tsige - Betam New Emwodish (5:38)
07. Dawit Tsige - Yagere Lij (6:42)
08. Dawit Tsige - Ha Hu Hi Ha (4:02)
09. Dawit Tsige - Mechem Mechem (5:19)
10. Dawit Tsige - Tamrialesh (8:04)
11. Dawit Tsige - Alem (4:46)
12. Dawit Tsige - Wiy Wiy (4:44)
13. Dawit Tsige - Alesh Wey (5:07)
14. Dawit Tsige - Yene Muzika (7:54)