v.a. - The Ethiopian Millennium Collection [CD 3 - Chic-Chic-Ka] [2007] [ethiopia]

     The golden age of Ethiopian popular music (as heard on the fabled ETHIOPIQUES series) is famous in part for the sparsity of material that it yielded: The state-owned recording industry was largely a ramshackle government vanity, and while music of the music it captured was strikingly haunting, only a few dozen tracks were recorded in the 1960s and '70s... 

Neway Debebe - Yetikimt Abeba

       Since then, the floodgates have opened as Ethiopia has more or less entered the modern world -- more artists are making and recording more music than was dreamed possible back in the politically repressive "good old days," and the fruits of this renaissance are heard on this 6-CD set. 

        Each of these discs is also sold separately, and each centers on a general theme -- one for ballads, one of traditional music (which is quite nice), a disc's worth of contemporary dance music and one of "chic-chic-ka" rhythm, a popular modern style. There are also two discs worth of instrumental music -- one featuring recent recordings of more traditional themes is quite nice, while the other has a contemporary feel and is closer to modern "smooth jazz." 

      The tracks are from the late 1990s and early '00s -- the artists are generally younger, more modern musicians, although a few old-timers like Mahmoud Ahmed are still alive and kicking, and sound as cool as ever. Although this collection doesn't have the same eerie power as the '70s-era recordings, anyone who got into the ETHIOPIQUES discs will want to check this out as well, to see where the music has gone since then.

01 - Mahmoud Ahmed - Anchi Bale Gamme (6:43)

02 - Muluken Mellesse - Nanu Nanu Ney (6:28)

03 - Hamelmal Abate - Awdamet (6:10)

04 - Theodros Tadesse - Albo (5:41)

05 - Neway Debebe - Yetikimt Abeba (5:13)

06 - Theodros Kassahun - Lebo (5:44)

07 - Hana Shenkute - Hode Ba-Le-Abisho (5:49)

08 - Dawit Mellesse - Ayisemashim (4:57)

09 - Mahmoud Ahmed - Derra & Ye-Selalewa (7:01)

10 - Tehsome Wolde - Litishegnegn New Fikire (4:31)

11 - Martha Ashagari - Gamme Gamme (5:01)

12 - Abinet Agonafir - Lene Kalesh (6:31)

13 - Hirut Girma - Wusheten (5:22)

Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - [2009] - Zemen [2009] [ethiopia]

       Teshome's career stretches back over thirty years in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as a member of the influential Soul Ekos Band in the late 60s.

      Teshome Mitiku began performing at local schools and nightclubs when he was just a teenager. In the late 60's, singer and keyboardist Teshome Mitiku; his brother and alto saxophonist, Theodros "Teddy" Mitiku; trumpeter, Tamrat Ferendji; bassist Fekade Amde-Meskel; drummer, Tesfaye Mekonnen; guitarist, Alula Yohannes and singer, Seifu Yohannes formed the influential Soul Ekos Band. 

      The band released numerous songs. Teshome Mitiku composed and wrote Gara Ser New Betesh, Yezemed Yebada, Mot Adeladlogn and Hasabe.

Teshome Mitiku - Susegnash

01 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Bati (7:46)
02 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Hasabe (5:42)
03 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Kante Gar (5:58)
04 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Susegnash (6:43)
05 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Abren Enwal (4:30)
06 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Gimash Sewnet (6:00)
07 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Himem Sewnet (5:05)
08 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Almetam Kerehugn (5:35)
09 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Eshururu (5:05)
10 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Tinsae (6:59)
11 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Tizitaye (6:16)
12 - Teshome Mitiku & Frehiwot Lemma - Zemen (5:58)

exclusive interview with ethiopian legend Teshome Mitiku

Bahta G. Hiwot - The Best of [ethiopia]

   E  X  T  E  N  D  E  D  

R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

Bahta Gebre Heywet - Gizie

       Bahta Gebre Hiwot began his musical career as a member of the house band at the Ras Hotel in Addis Ababa. Hiwot played with this band for many years but he managed to record several solo singles, including the charming "Tessassategn Eko", which was arranged by master Mulatu Astatke.

01. Bahta G. Hiwot - Degmo Endemin Alesh (2:50)
02 - Bahta G. Hiwot - Teresahugne-Ende (2:33)
03 - Bahta G. Hiwot - Gizewin-Alawkim (3:01)
04 - Bahta G. Hiwot - Minew-Tadeyalesh (2:07)
05 - Bahta G. Hiwot - Kal -Ayisheshegim (2:21)

06. Bahta G. Hiwot - Anchim Endelela (3:39)

07. Bahta G. Hiwot - Sikay Zakealye (4:09)

08. Bahta G. Hiwot - Kalish Tesebere (2:10)

09. Bahta G. Hiwot - Ahunim Ezaw Negne (2:16)

10. Bahta G. Hiwot - Yetilacha We Rie (4:00)

11. Bahta G. Hiwot - Anchi Lij (3:32)

12. Bahta G. Hiwot - Befirkrua Teyeze (2:08)

13. Bahta G. Hiwot - Ya Ya (2:13)
14 - Bahta G. Hiwot - Metiche-Eskayish (2:22)
15 - Bahta G. Hiwot - Milas (3:16)
16 - Bahta G. Hiwot - Ye-Fikir-Azmera (2:52)

17. Bahta G. Hiwot - Sem E (3:41)

18. Bahta G. Hiwot - Wede Harar Guzo (3:01)

AE 410 Essatu Tessema - [1972] - Fikir Bekumena & Ayamaru Eshete [7''s] [wav] [ethiopia]

ISSATU TESSEMA and SEIFU YOHANNES: Fiker Bekumena 
ISSATU TESSEMA: Ayamaru Ishetie

Amha AE 410 A

Essatu Tessema and Seifu Yohannes: Fikir Bekumena


Arranged by Tewolde Redda 
Reissued on 'éthiopiques-25: 1971>1975 Modern Roots' (Buda Musique, France) as "Feqer bèqumèna".

Amha AE 410 B

ISSATU TESSEMA: Ayamaru Ishetie

Essatu Tessema: Ayamaru Eshete
Arranged by Tewolde Redda 
Reissued on 'éthiopiques-25: 1971>1975 Modern Roots' (Buda Musique, France) as "Ayamaru eshèté".

Essatu Tessema - Fikir Bekumena  [ፍቅር በቁመና]

Year: 1972
Record pressed in Greece


Note: "Issatu Tessema" is spelled Essatu Tessema" on the labels.
"Fiker Bekumena" is spelled "Fikir Bekumena" on the labels, "Ayamaru Ishetie" is spelled "Ayamaru Eshete"

Teddy Mak - [2004] - Truth [ethiopia]

           Teddy Mak has been a composer, arranger, producer, songwriter, and an accomplished performer for over twenty eight years. He is one of the pioneer, performer and major contributor to the development of Ethiopia's innovative 'new age' music. Teddy Mak developed a passion formusic in German school addis abeba at an early age of eight, which was accompanied with hours of rigorous practice on the piano at home. Teddy’s youthful talent was enthusiastically supported by his father, Teddy's family provided an enabling environment that encouraged young Teddy to put in enough hours of practice on the piano which laid a firm foundation for his life’s work in Ethiopian music. 

            Teddy Mak first studied music at the Yared Music School in Addis Ababa, which was followed by studying music, majoring in American Jazz, at the Northern Virginia Community College. He had his chance playing with great bands, which included, among others, the Shebelles, the Dahlacs and the Ethiostar band in Addis Ababa. This was the time when Teddy Mak got a chance to meet and perform with Bob Marley at the Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa.

               Throughout his career, he has compiled and created numerous melodic sounds and rhythmical beats that have made his musical compositions distinguishable. His masterful compilations have been soothing the ears of a broad range of listeners, for the past 3- decades. 

      Teddy Mak’s musical accomplishments include over 573 arrangments and musical compositions, a cultural musical presentation, in the presence of delegates from fifty countries, at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa, composed sound tracks for twenty five documentary films and, wrote original soundtrack for a fifty-four segment Ethiopian movie drama series “Gemena” for Ethiopian TV. 

Teddy Mak has presented a commissioned musical presentation and album on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union.

01 - Teddy Mak - Young At Heart (4:26)

02 - Teddy Mak - Truth (6:11)

03 - Teddy Mak - Joy (4:44)

04 - Teddy Mak - Lanchi (6:49)

05 - Teddy Mak - Pure Ethiopian (5:47)

06 - Teddy Mak - T. Woman (6:31)

07 - Teddy Mak - Mak (5:54)

08 - Teddy Mak - Abogidah (5:19)

09 - Teddy Mak - Wushetenew (5:38)

10 - Teddy Mak - Ethio House (5:10)

11 - Teddy Mak - Teddy's Mood (6:54)

PRESS : 

“God must have dedicated more time on your creative and restless visionary mind. Vahag Sakadjian or ( Vaggie ) 06-17-2008 ”

VAGGIE - MUSIC PAD

“Every song you play turn out to be " sparkling , shiny , touchy , groovy. Vahag Sakadjian or ( Vaggie ) 06-17-2008   ”

VAGGIE - MUSIC PAD

“Teddy Mak's Timeout is a direct expression of human emotions that transcend the listener to the beyond â€" it is in a way a form of art and entertainment”

B,T,COSTENTINOS PHD - KOSTE

“The MUSICAL gift upon Teddy Maks talent , I have noticed , tested ,smelled and watched the changes of forms ,and fantasy since we were kids. All I can say is , " he still amazes me."”

VEHAG

AE370 Tamrat Molla - [1971] - Ber Ambar Seberelewo - Ene Yewodedquiat [7''s] [wav] [ethiopia]

Tamrat Molla - Tameme Tegneche

Ethiopian oldies

TAMRAT MOLLA: Ber Ambar Seberelewo / Ene Yewodedquat


Amha AE 370 A

Tamrat Molla: Ber Ambar Seberelewo
Arranged by Teshome Sisay
Accompanied by the Venus Band 

Reissued on 'éthiopiques-24: Golden Years of modern Ethiopian music 1969-1975', (Buda Musique, France) as "Ber anbar sèbèrèlewo".

Amha AE 370 B

Tamrat Molla: Ene Yewodedquat
Composed by Lemma Demissew
Arranged by Teshome Sisay
Accompanied by the Venus Band

Reissued on 'éthiopiques-24: Golden Years of modern Ethiopian music 1969-1975', (Buda Musique, France) as "Ené yèwèdèdkwat".

Year: 1971
Record pressed in India



Note: "Tamrat Molla" is spelled "Tamra Mola" on the picture sleeve.
"Ber Ambar Seberelewo" is spelled "Ber Ambar Seberelew" on the picture sleeve.
"Ene Yewodedquat" is spelled "Ene Yewededquat" on the picture sleeve.