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| ABEBECH DERARA AND ZAGOL BAND | KALEH KATEGEBIE | AEMRO | CD | 11.99 | COL |
| An absolutely stunning album that's so simple yet so awesome. Abebech sings, Getnet Meazza plays bass guitar while keyboard wizard Kassa Adamassu weaves a truly magical spell over everything. The music fairly belts along with wonderfully irresistible and exciting vocals from ace singer Abebech. I have had a love affair with Ethiopian music for many years but this album is definitely the new darling of my collection. (F.T.Index: Aichilibet, Na Gelaye, Sewenetu, Yayinie Abeba, Sew Hulu, Bel Tewew, Belu Enji, Damo Damo, Abichu Nega Nega. ) [10T/60M] | 1. BELU ENJI
2. ALCHILIBET
3. DAMO DAMO
4. SEW HULU
5. ABICHU NEGA NEGA
6. NA GELAYE
7. KALEH KATEGEBIE
8. SEWENETU
9. BEL TEWEW
10. YAYINIE ABEBA
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| ABEBECH MESFIN | MERAT AYENI | RAGMC999 | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| Singer Abebech comes from Tigray and this is her first release which is sung in Tigrinja. Mainly traditional in style the music comes from a line-up of guitars, sax, keyboards and the lovely Krar. The bouncy drum and handclap style dominates on most tracks but A5 and B4 take on a modern guitar and sax based sound and with Abebech's haunting vocals they are just lovely. (F.T.Index: (Track No...) A5, B4, A2, A4, A3, B2, B5, B4, A1, B1,.) [10T/60M] | |
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| ABONESH ADNEW | BAHILEN | BAHILEN | CD | 15.00 | COL |
| Multi talented Abonesh can sing in over a dozen of the 80 plus languages of Ethiopia and plans to sing in them all. She has appeared on film about the life style and culture of rural Ethiopia although her music and song are contemporary and based upon the works of many of the best known stars of Ethiopian music. | 1. BAHILEN
2. KEFFA
3. ENDASABE
4. GEDEL LIGBA?
5. LIFELIGIH
6. DERA
7. YETIKAZEN
8. ABEBIE
9. YENEBICHA
10. LIMITAWEY?
11. YEMANEW SHINKIT
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| ALEMAYEHU ESHETE | ADDIS ABABA | SHANCD64045 | CD | 14.70 | COL |
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| ALEMAYEHU ESHETE | ETHIOPIQUES 22 - MORE VINTAGE | 860144 | CD | £ 11.99 | |
| Alemayehu Eshete is no less than one of the great voices of the heyday of modern Ethiopian music, the Swinging Sixties which, in Ethiopia, went on until the fall of the Emperor Haile Sellassie I in 1974. On a par with Tilahun Gessesse, Bzunesh Beqele or Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu is a star at the top of the constellation that once lit up the wild nights in the capital city Addis Ababa. The singer, as remarkable for his frenetic rock numbers as for his heart-rending ballads, has, by dint of rampant Americanism, earned himself nicknames as the Ethiopian James Brown or the Abyssinian Elvis. With his dazzling stage presence, nimble voicebox and wicked pompadour, he is a strutting show-off, straight out of American Graffiti or Saturday Night Fever. His youthfulness untarnished although he is well into his 60s, Alemayehu still represents the explosive myths of the 1960s. | 1. NEY-NEY WELEBA
2. AMBASSEL
3. AMBASSEL
4. YEQER AYNESSA
5. TEMAR LEDJE
6. MEN TETCHIYE MEDRITU
7. TENAGERI
8. YETENTU FEQRATCHEN
9. HODE FERA
10. ABEBA MESSELETCH
11. GUBELYE
12. TEQUR GESSELA
13. YEMAYNEGA LELIT
14. YEBEQANAL
15. WETADER NEGN
16. ENAT YEENDJERA ENAT
17. KENORU LEBETCHAHE
18. TSEGEREDAYE
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| ALEMAYEHU ESHETE | YEFEKER KAL Vol. 8 | YEFEKER | CD | 15.00 | COL |
| A beautiful album which Alemayehu sings with his usual heartfelt feeling and warmth.While I liked all the tracks and particularly the first few, he saved the best till last with the stunningly beautiful Yena Gla which is just superb. | 1. YEFEKER KAL
2. HALLO HALLO BILE
3. KURATA NESH
4. SESETA NESH
5. MIGNOTA
6. TSIBAY
7. SHALALA LA
8. ANEDE NEGRE
9. WA NEDO
10. YENA GLA
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| ARAGAW BEDASO | NETEREKEBE INETI | NETERE | TC | £ 10.00 | |
Aragaw Bedaso was born 1934 and is a traditional singer of Gurage songs. He first performed in 1957 and despite his old age still performs and is active in the Ethiopian music scene. A former deacon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church he claims his good health is due to his exercising, has fathered 18 children and promotes running for health amongst other things. Tracks : Neterekebe Ineti, Adete Yetefekerenane, Ferane Ayenbero, Ashegoye Abeshe, Yegerede Merekama, Yabo Yayo Bele, Lebele Logawe Shebow, Telebene Ewededa, Abeba Tekeseli, Izeme Goradedo.[10T/52M] Oh.... and the music? Out of this world, fast paced traditional Ethiopian style with jazz-funk overtones and tremendous vocals from the man himself.  | |
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| ASNAQETCH WERQU | ETHIOPIQUES 16 - LADY WITH THE KRAR | 822652 | CD | 11.99 | COL |
| Before she became famous as a singer and krar (traditional lyre) player, Asnatqetch Werqu was known as an actress and a dancer. At a very young age, she taught herself the krar, the favourite instrument of the azmari, Ethiopia's wandering minstrels. Sha has found the voice to transform the vicissitudes of life into poignant laments or sarcastic ditties,which have earned her respect and recognition. Asnaqetch Werqu is the last great singer, story-teller and free-thinker to carry on the tradition of poetic jousting. | |
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| ASTER AWEKE | ASTER | TERRAC107 | TC | 8.00 | COL |
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| ASTER AWEKE | EBO | 2222-2 | CD | £ 16.50 | |
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| ASTER AWEKE | FIKIR | FIKIR | CD | 12.50 | COL |
| | 1. FIKIR
2. ANDD ADIRGEN
3. NETSA NEGN
4. SEWENETAE
5. AYZOH
6. EMYAE
7. LISHELIMEW
8. YESEW-SEW
9. AZEZO
10. CHAL-CHAL
11. YIKIRTA
12. YAMRAL
13. NEFSAE
14. MURIT
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| ASTER AWEKE | KABU | TERRACD110 | CD | £ 11.99 | |
| Very much a Westernised album that seems to have lost its roots. Having said that I don't doubt that it will be a big hit as it brings out the quality of Aster's voice far better than her previous album. Has some superb mood music based loosley on original Ethiopian styles. Track List: Yedi Gosh, Yaz-Oh, Kabu, Kezira, Bati, Tchewata, Eyoha, Bitchengna. | |
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| ASTER AWEKE | KABU | TERRAC110 | TC | £ 6.00 | |
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| ASTER AWEKE | SUGAR | KABU002-2 | CD | 17.30 | COL |
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| CHACHI | AFRICA | CTR67120 | CD | 11.99 | COL |
| Now out on CD this modern Ethiopian album is influenced by many styles - makassi, soukous, ragga, jazz, reggae and even bhangra beat! - the mix producing some very interesting and danceable tracks. Beats the hell out of the recent Aster Aweke releases. Brilliant album in every way. (F.T.Index: Melkam Gabecha, Yezare Ababawoche, Ataseb, Setitu Arbegha, Kadametkegn, Africa, Belete Kidame.) [12T/59M] | |
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| EITHER ORCHESTRA | ETHIOPIQUES 20 - LIVE IN ADDIS ( 2 x CD ) | 860121 | CDx2 | £ 21.35 | |
| Russ Gershon and his Grammy-nominated Either/Orchestra have included many Ethiopian pieces into their repertoire in recent years. In January 2004, the Boston big band travelled to Addis for a dream-come-true concert featuring prestigious Ethiopian guests, among them Mulatu Astatqe (Ethiopiques 4, Broken Flowers) and Getatchew Mekurya (Ethiopiques 14). This recording perfectly renders the energy and emotion of this gathering, with beautiful arrangements remarkably performed by excellent, adventurous musicians bringing to mind Gil Evans' band in Miles Davis' 'Sketches of Spain'. | |
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| ELIZABETH TESHOME | 1987 | DIMBULKA | TC | 7.00 | COL |
| A lovely album that starts out quite softly and traditionally but soon speeds up and by track three it's leaping about like a lunatic. Elizabeth has one of those beautiful voices that can cut through music like a hot knife through butter. The solid beat of the drums and the guitar/sax mixture of sound from the keyboards makes a strong backing that suits Elizabeth's razor sharp singing style perfectly. On side 'B' she settles into a slightly more melodic mould that trips along merrily almost like something from one of those Hindi musicals that you see on TV these days. Gorgeous to listen to, a definite gem. (F.T.Index: (Track No...) A3, A4, B3, B4, B2, A5 ,B1 .) [10T/60M] | |
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| FEKEREADDIS NEKATEBEB | LEUL ASWEDEDEGN | LEUL | CD | 15.00 | COL |
| A stunningly beautiful album from the power packed voice of Fekereaddis. Her voice is explosive one minute, then sweetness the next. This is a definite must have album if you like Ethiopian music. | 1. YENGAT WEF
2. BAGERACHN
3. YAMU YAMU
4. YANEKAL
5. LEUL ASWEDEDEGN
6. MERAGN YZO
7. TESMAGN TERUNBA
8. AND SWE
9. SBEBU
10. BLO BLO
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| FOUR TRADITIONAL SINGERS | FOUR TRADITIONAL SINGERS | FOUR | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| I thought the first side was good with a thumping beat geared mainly to the Iskista dance style, plenty of horn/guitar backing to say nothing of the girls in the chorus with their throbbing 'Ulahs'! On the other side however they pull out all the stops and produce some very inovative if still traditional sounds. Track 3 definitely has a place in my favorites list and the last track is a real treat. | |
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| GETATCHEW MEKURYA | ETHIOPIQUES 14 - NEGUS OF ETHIOPIAN SAX | 822562 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
| Probably the most revered veteran of Ethiopian saxophone, Getatchew Mekurya is the inventor of an extremely distinctive musical 'style'. There exists, among Ethiopia's many vocal genres, a form of singing that is purely warlike: epic and declamatory, harsh and hoarse-voiced, it is known as 'shellela'. Getatchew Mekurya had the brilliant idea of transposing it to his saxophone. In this daring, improvisational, angry and impetuous musical form, each melisma spirals dizzyingly towards less structure and greater freedom in the playing. Without resorting to cliches, shellela saxophone was a sort of free jazz before its time: Mekurya, who remembers trying out the first heady strains in 1952-53, still knows nothing about Ornette Coleman, or Albert Ayler. The music on this CD was released by Philips Ethiopia in 1970, except for the last piece, a rarity from the late fifties. | |
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| GHIDION BERAKI | TEWOFAYNETNA | C6402 | CD | £ 11.99 | |
| 10 Tracks of traditional songs by Dutch based top artist Ghidion. | |
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| GIGI | GIGI | PALMCD20682 | CD | 13.65 | COL |
| Superb album that had me glued to the speakers. Sublime vocals and hypnotic music all the way through. Definitely recommended. | |
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| GIGI | ONE ETHIOPIA | BARKCD105 | CD | 13.20 | COL |
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| HAMELMAL ABATE | SEDET | SEDET | CD | 10.00 | COL |
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| KENGE BAHIRU AND WAREQ ASNAKECH | | KENGE | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| Traditional music and songs from masenqo player Kenge and Wareq and her krar. the masenqo is a type of lute played with a bow and its dulcet tones are lovely to listen to. The krar is a type of lyre and its distingtive playing style and sound can be found copied by guitars on almost every modern ethiopian album. The type of ethnic music to be found on this recording is becoming very hard to find in today's ethiopia and its well worth a listen. | |
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| KENNEDY MENGESHA | 1985 | NEGARIT | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| One of Ethiopia's top modern artists with a string of hits to his credit. Beautifully backed by the Roha Band with their usual fast paced sax and guitar line up. Great vocals with kennedy weaving and warbling his way through the octaves. lovely. | |
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| KIROS ALEMAYEHU | HAYE BELEWA | MASTER SOUND | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| Tigre province in the North is the home of top star Kiros. His modern interpretations of traditional songs and music are justifiably famous throughout the country. The thumping beat of the kebaro drums drives the accompanying krar and masenquo along at a leisurely pace with plenty of hand clapping and 'ullah's' from the chorus girls. Kiros's piercing vocals are delivered in a style which is almost poetic. | |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | 2 ND EDITION | 2NDED | CD | 15.00 | COL |
| Almost no modern Ethiopian wedding celebration goes without the enjoyment of one of Mahmoud Ahmed's wedding songs. Here he presents a collection of over forty years of his wedding hits that have captured millions of Ethiopian hearts. He continues to be the most sought after and leading wedding performer of all time in the Ethiopian community, which as a result, invites Ethiopians (from around the world to travel back to their homeland and experience his majestic voice on the most Special Day of their lives. | 1. YETBAREK
2. ALMAZ
3. FITSUM DING NESH
4. TSEGROWA WERDO WERDO
5. KULUN
6. LALE LALE
7. ASHEWOINA
8. MUSHERAYE
9. HAILOGA
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | ETHIOPIQUES 19 - ALEMYE | 860106 | CD | £ 11.99 | |
| An authentic legend in Ethiopia, Mahmoud Ahmed has laid down the basis of a music style which is resolutely original in the way it synthesizes the most diverse influences into a language both typical and universal. With his haunting, serpentine voice, at the same time raucous and velvety, Mahmoud Ahmed has invented a world of uncertain borders, an improbable mix of Eastern-African rhythmic lines, mysterious laments with refined ornamentation and melodies of unexpected Indian modulation; all this streaked by electric sounds and pulsed by a hot, swaying groove spanning swing to funk and even foraying into reggae music. What an exhilarating shambles! | |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | ETHIOPIQUES 6 - ALMAZ | 82979-2 | CD | 11.99 | COL |
| Release two years before 'Ere Mela Mela' but totally unknown outside of Ethiopia. Released back in 1973 this album is absolutely stunning to listen too. Mahmoud powers through the vocals over the melancholy and bluesy horn led backing of the Ibex Band. Miss it at your peril - it's simply superb. Pages of notes and pictures as well. [11T/54M] | |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | ETHIOPIQUES 7 - ERE MELA MELA | 82980-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
| Ere Mela Mela was the very first record of modern Ethipian music released in Europe (Crammed Discs, Brussels, 1986). It is only logical that it should be reissued today, expanded and remastered, in the Ethiopiques series. This volume 7 includes all the Mahmoud Ahmed's recordings released in 75 by Kaifa records, including the LP KF 20 plus 2 titles released on another 45, and 2 additional songs included in the first Crammed release, masterpieces from an album released in 78 under Mahmoud's own label. It was via this record that Ethiopian music first made its mark in what was starting to be called 'the global sound system'. It attracted media attention around the world and soon became a cult album. It is one of the last treasures of what must be termed the 'golden age' of Ethiopian music. | |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | HULUM YISMA | HULUM | CD | 10.00 | COL |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | LIVE IN PARIS | 302671-2 | CD | £ 12.35 | |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | LIVE IN TORONTO | NR4935 | DVD | 19.95 | COL |
| The voice of Ethiopia live in Toronto with - Your favorite classic songs. Thirteen tracks including Tizita and Er Mela Mela. | |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | SOUL OF ADDIS | STEW35CD | CD | 12.50 | COL |
| An absolutely fabulous album which is a mix of the best known musical styles of Ethiopian music sung by one of their most renowned singers. I got hooked on his power packed voice back in the 80's and this compilation album uses some of his best material from that period. Its not just Mahmoud's singing that's special on this album though, just listen to the musical perfection, the saxes breeze along with the guitars sparkling at all the right points and the drummer beating a path for the sweetly played keyboards. This album is not just recommended listening it's essential, so pin back your lugs and prepare to be amazed. ( F.T.Index: Nafkot, Selam, Bey Tirigne, Tetesh, Yedetnesh, Ene Berdognal, Abet, Tenbelel Loga, Amesginalehu, Bechayen Befiker. ) [10T/61M] | Track: Nafkot |
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | TIZITA Vol. 1 | AIT024 | CD | 12.95 | COL |
| If there is a single artist who personifies the rich history of Ethiopian music, it must be Mahmoud Ahmed. These collections of his greatest hits (The Best of Mahmoud Ahmed, Tizita, Volume 1 & 2) include many of the songs that have made Mahmoud a legend on the world music scene. Mahmoud's journey began in Addis Ababa in 1963, when he joined the Imperial Body Guard Band. In 1972, he released his first solo recording. Since then, he has come to define the Ethiopian sound. Demand for his music has brought him to North America, Europe, and Asia, where his name is synonymous with Ethiopian music. In more recent years, Mahmoud has worked on behalf of Nelson Mandela's struggle for South African freedom and unity. Mahmoud Ahmed truly is the voice of Ethiopia – the only African country that was never colonized. | 1. ANCHI BALE GAME
2. YENURO METENSHIN
3. TEYIKESH TEREJI
4. ASHKARO
5. TIZITA
6. TEW LIMED GLAYE
7. TERESASH WOY
8. ENGEDAYE NESH
9. YESHI HAREGITU
10. ENDEGENA
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| MAHMOUD AHMED | TIZITA Vol. 2 | AIT025 | CD | 12.95 | COL |
| | 1. NEY DENNUN TISESHI
2. TIZITA GAREDEW
3. GICHAMUE
4. YESHEGGA LIJ NEGER
5. DERRA AND YESELALEWA
6. MELA MELA
7. TIZ TIZ
8. ALAWEKSHILIGNIM
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| MAHMOUD AHMED AND THE ROHA BAND | OLD COLLECTIONS | OLD | TC | 6.75 | COL |
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| MARTHA ASHAGARI | ERE BAKEH | ERE | TC | 6.75 | COL |
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| NETSANET MELLESSE | SPIRIT OF SHEBA | SHANCD64044 | CD | 14.70 | COL |
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| NEWAY DEBEBE | ABESH NAT 1982 | ABESH | TC | 12.00 | COL |
| Issued in 1988 this album is a superb example of Neway's vocal versatility, his voice ranging up and down the scales with effortless ease, almost his trademark. Plenty of sax and fast and fluid guitar played to a solid backing beat by the marvellous Roha Band who are on top form adding the cream to Neway's wonderful vocals. the second track on side two is one of my all time favorites with it's bouncy guitar and good time vocals. A real cracker of an album. | |
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| NEWAY DEBEBE | AMEN | AMEN | CD | 15.00 | COL |
| Superb new 10 track album from the Neway. Produced in the USA where he now lives and with an all Ethiopian band. Sounding every bit as good as his early gems and still makes me want to play it over and over again. | |
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| NEWAY DEBEBE | BEST OF NEWAY DEBEBE COLLECTION | NR0621 | CD | 15.00 | COL |
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| NEWAY DEBEBE | FEKERE SICHEWE | FAKIR | TC | £ 10.00 | |
| Jumping Jehosephat it's my favorite artist with a cassette album he released way back in 1985 and now copied by Yayu Productions in the USA. Although it doesn't say so on the inlay, which is all in Amharic script anyway, Neway is backed as usual by Ethiopia's top sesssion group 'The Roha Band' with their unmistakable sound. Lovely Jazzy/Blues guitars and one of the best horn line-ups in Africa. Neway's incredibley versatile voice is on top form zooming up and down the scales effortlessly with a style unsurpassed by any other singer that I can think of. If you've not heard any Ethiopian music before this album is a great introduction. Tracks: Yesete Zewede Nat, Mene Serahu Lehagere, Gujamena Gondere, Yemeleyet Betere, Fute Beye Kegunche, Zemeta, Fekere Sichewe, Yejema Leje, Wa Jemerene, Bemewedede Labertashe. (10T/60M) | |
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| NEWAY DEBEBE | YETEKEMET ADEBA (Vol. 1) | TANGO | TC | £ 10.00 | |
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| NEWAY DEBEBE AND THE ROHA BAND | Vol. 2 (1986) | V21986 | TC | £ 10.00 | |
| My favorite album and number 1 on my Desert Island Disc list as I could never get tired of listening to it. | |
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| ORCHESTRA ETHIOPIA | ETHIOPIQUES 23 ORCHESTRA ETHIOPIA | 860152 | CD | 11.99 | COL |
| The story of Orchestra Ethiopia (1963-1975) is unusual and compelling in more ways than one. Just as modern music was reaching the peak of its excellence and popularity, at the very same moment, via Orchestra Ethiopia's unlikely undertaking, traditional music acquired a legitimacy that the times had tended to deprive it of. Between the coup d'etat (Dec 1960) and the revolution (1974), Ethiopia was combining, unbeknown to all, both the end of an empire and the 'golden age' of its music. Orchestra Ethiopia's initiative can be chalked up to the far-sightedness and the enthusiasm of foreigners who were only staying in Ethiopia temporarily. First of all Egyptian musician, composer and musicologist Halim El-Dabh, followed by American Peace Corps volunteers John Coe and Charles Sutton. It was only in 1966 that the Orchestra found its definitive Ethiopian mentor in Tesfaye Lemma. They were far more than just a folk music ensemble especially in the southern provinces, so rich yet so little explored musically up to that point. Although Tesfaye Lemma released several records with this group, we have chosen to begin this rediscovery mainly via previously unreleased works (just five exceptions : 3-11-16-18-22). All display the open-mindedness and creativity that inspired Orchestra Ethiopia's organizers and musicians alike. Many of their works are awaiting publication or reissue. What we refer to as tradition is in no way set in stone. It is nothing but the most recent embodiment, the latest flash in the memory of mankind of a culture in movement, which has never stopped evolving and swallowing up the previous states of this same culture. Orchestra Ethiopia's experience and hardships perfectly illustrate this constant flux. | 1. TEZETA
2. TENNESH MEKEDDA
3. MAMMITENNA KEBBEDE
4. HODE
5. KEDO AYQEREM MOTU
6. DATCHENA KOBA
7. MEDINANNA ZELESEGNA
8. SHEGITU
9. YEHETSANU IEQSO
10. HELAWSHO
11. LEQEDAME ATBIYA
12. BESETCHET
13. LALE GUMA
14. WOLAYTA KRAR
15. DERBABE
16. ABA BALANO SHANKA
17. SENBET
18. GORAW
19. SHEB ROBE
20. OD
21. SHAMA KEFENA
22. TERARAW
23. SEMESH MAN NEW?
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| ROHA BAND | TOUR 1990 | AIT001 | CD | 20.00 | COL |
| Wonderful album of modern Ethiopian music with a traditional blend from the famous Roha Band. On tour and backing here top artists Neway Debebe, Hamelmal Abate and Berhane Haile. The band has also recorded over 250 recordings with various other renowned Ethiopian singers including Aster Aweke, Tilahun Gessesse and Mahmoud Ahmed to name but a few. | 1. YETIKIMT ABEBE (Neway Debebe)
2. ABEBA ABEBA (Hamelmal Abate)
3. FETIEKI ILE (Berhane Haile)
4. MAEBEL (Neway Debebe)
5. KIYA KIYA (Hamelmal Abate)
6. FERAIT WEYNI (Berhane Haile)
7. YAMRAL TILETISH (Neway Debebe)
8. GELAYE ZEMEDE (Hamelmal Abate)
9. SHEW BELI BILENEY (Berhane Haile)
10. AMBASEL (Instrumental)
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| TECHOME WOLDE AND ETHIO STARS | ETHIOPIAN SOUL REVUE | RPM011-2 | CD | £ 11.99 | |
| The new Ethio Stars still led by trumpeter Shimelis Beyene and now consisting of lead and bass guitars, keyboards and drums are recorded live at The Rocket Hall in London 1995. They provide a super backdrop for the vocal versatility of singer Teshome Wolde. The first four tracks are combined to form one long intro and having got the audience hooked they then change tempo, sliding easily into some of those soft jazzy blues style tracks that makes Ethiopian music so listenable. (F.T.Index: Sema Eda Agebachign, Yematebela Wefe, Yeweray Semele, Aweyo, Nanu Nanu Nei. ) [12T/58M] | |
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| THE ROHA BAND | INSTRUMENTAL | ROHA | TC | £ 10.00 | |
| The Roha band is justifiably famous throughout the land and their music can be heard backing nearly all the old top name singers. This is as far as I know, their only solo album and its a real showcase for their wide musical talent. Definitely one of the sweetest and most dazzling sax line ups in Africa and with guitars that can almost sing. This album over an hour long with its jazzy blues style is gorgeous all the way through although the recording on one or two tracks does leave a bit to be desired. | |
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| THREE FLOWERS | THREE FLOWERS | AMBASSEL | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| Top singers Neway Debebe, Tshagaye Aragaheda & Hulu Bitebaber get together under the name of the the three flowers. Taking it in turn to sing lead with the others backing or all together. They run through a range of lovely 'Hindi/Blues' style songs with music provided by the Roha Band. Soft and very melodic for the most part with a bit of the Roha Band's big horn/guitar plays for added pleasure. Laid back and silky smooth. | |
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| TILAHUN GESSESSE | ETHIOPIQUES 17 - 1970-1977 | 822662 | CD | 11.99 | COL |
| To Ethiopian audiences, Tilahun Gessesse is THE VOICE, even more so than Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete or Mulatu Astatqe. Endowed with a phenomenal, innate vocal talent, he has been the asbsolute and unequalled icon for an entire country since the fifties, heading up the list of Ethiopian discography. Based around seven 'modernist' pieces arranged by the brilliant and innovative Mulatu Astatqe (Ethiopiques 4: Ethiojazz), these first Ethiopiques devoted to Tilahun Gessesse also present ten other songs accompanied by musicians from the Ethiopian institutional bands: the Army Band, the Exhibition Band, the Police Orchestra, the Body Guard Band. | |
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| TILAHUN GESSESSE | VOLUME I | TIL1 | TC | 10.00 | COL |
| This guy can really sing! A wonderfully clear and powerful vocalist who grabs your attention as soon as you hear him. Add to that a smooth backing band who can also sing a bit and you're on to a gorgeous album. The music is modern with some lovely guitar, drums and beautifully keyboarded Ethiopian style horns. A warm and very easy feel throughout even when the tempo changes up a gear or two. I loved every track and I can't say that about many albums! (F.T.Index: Alchalkum, Monalisaye Neshi, Anisiyada, Yehiywote Hiywot. ) [9+T/59M] Actually 10 tracks if you count an instrumental filler. | 1. YENE MASTAWESTA
2. ANISIYADA
3. KIFU AYINKASH
4. ALCHALKUM
5. MELEYAYET MOT NEW
6. SETIHED SIKETELAT
7. MONALISAYE NESHI
8. YEHIYWOTE HIYWOT
9. YEHIYWOTE ATIR NESH
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| TILAHUN GESSESSE | VOLUME II | TIL2 | TC | £ 10.00 | |
| In the same vein as volume I and just as good or even maybe a bit better. Even the three unlisted instrumental infill tracks are lovely. Tilahun has that marvellous quality that all the best singers possess - a voice that imbues you with feeling of warmth and serenity. Just listen and be stunned with the power in 'Kememot Aldenem'. A wonderful album that I could listen to all day and every day. (F.T.Index: Hulunem Neger Ayichewalehu, Engudaye Neshi, Migibima Moltwal, Kememot Aldenem.) [9+T/59M] | 1. ENE YALANCHI ALNOREM
2. YEZENBABA MAR NESH
3. MIGIBIMA MOLTWAL
4. KEMEMOT ALDENEM
5. TEMARI NEGNE
6. ENGUDAYE NESHI
7. SATEWEDEGNE WODIJAYAT
8. EWEDISH NEBERE
9. HULUNEM NEGER AYICHEWALEHU
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| TILAHUN GESSESSE | VOLUME III | TIL3 | TC | 10.00 | COL |
| The third and last in the series and another nine great tracks plus a fair bit of instrumental filling from Tilahun. The same sort of mix as before with his soft almost crooning style and a bit of more traditional music interspersed with the harder edged and more powerful dance oriented songs. Just listen to him sing on the strangely titled 'Japanwan Wodije'. I don't know what it was about but its definitely Japan as he mentions Yokohama towards the end! Another little gem. ( F.T.Index: Min Largachew, Min Yilalu Sewoch, Fikir Lebechaye, Japanwan Wodije. ) [9+T/59M] | 1. JAPANWAN WODIJE
2. ERE MIN YISHALEGNEAL
3. TIZ ALEGNE YETINTU
4. AKAL AYNISHIN
5. BIMISHIT CHEREKA
6. MIN YILALU SEWOCH
7. FIKIR LEBECHAYE
8. OUOUTA AYASKEFAM
9.MIN LARGACHEW
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| TSEHAYE YOHANNES | YAGERESH LIG NEGN | YAG | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| Wonderfully versatile vocals backed throughout by soft and melodic guitar and sax, probably the Roha Band although not credited on the inlay card their style and precision are almost unmistakable. A truly gifted vocalist who has ever right to be classed amongst the best of Ethiopia's singers. His voice ranges in style from the pleading to the demanding with that exquisit warbling effect turned on and off at will when ever it is needed for emphesis. The slightly more up tempo last track has definitely gone into my favourite songs list as its just gorgeous. (Instrumental fillers at the end on both sides) | |
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| TUKUL BAND AND ETHIO STARS | AMHARIC HITS | PIR44-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 1 - GOLDEN YEARS 1969-75 | 82951-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
| 1969-1978: the main body of Ethiopian records was produced in less than one decade: all in all, just under 500 45s and around 30 LPs. Amha Ashete, creator of the Amha Records label, was the driving force behind this brief creative burst and one of the main founders of the modernist movement which swept the Erhiopian scene during the end of the rule of the emperor Haile Sellassie. In six years, Amha issued around 250 titles. From his first recordings, Amha Eshete displayed unerring taste in choosing the best independent or otherwise unattached musicians. A compilation with very interesting sleeve notes from the following artists. Muluqen Mellesse (3), Mahmoud Ahmed (3), Seyfu Yohannes (2), Teshome Meteku (4), Getatchew Kassa (2) and Instrumentals (3). {17T/70M] | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 10 - BLUES AND BALLADS | 822222 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
Featuring Frew Haylou, Muluqen Mellesse, Alemayehu Eshete, Tesfa-Maryam Kidane, Seyfou Yohannes, Mulutu Astatqe, Mahmoud Ahmed, Menelik Wesnatchew and Getatchew Kassa.
Emptiness, melancholy, nostalgia; doom and gloom, morbid musings; heartache or homesickness: such is the stock in trade of the misery and mournful memories expressed by the song Tezeta - Ethiopia's majestic hymn to the blues. Etymologically, the word itself means memory, nostalgia, and several Ethiopian authors have used Tezeta as the title for their memoirs. For Ethiopians, it is the Tezeta genre that seems to capture the essence of the blues. | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 13 - ETHIOPIAN GROOVE | 82255-2 | CD | 12.50 | COL |
| An augmented and remasterised reissue of the legendary 'Ethiopian Groove - The Golden 70's' anthology released in the nineties, this selection is a tribute to the heyday of Ethiopian music. It reproduces the final salvos of the musical fireworks before they were brutally extinguished by the dictatorship. 1969-1978: the age of the record was also the golden age of modern Ethiopian music, with brasses largely dominating, be they swinging, thunderous or simply gigantic and landmark vocalists who adapted the tradition to instruments that came from other countries, opening onto the world while staying rooted in their local culture. | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 15 - JUMP TO ADDIS | 822642 | CD | £ 11.99 | |
| A surprising gathering of Ethiopian, French and Dutch musicians, Jump to Addis presents an exhilarating blend of Abyssinian tradition, jazz revisited and mad rock'n'roll. This daring mix features azmari voices and krar lyres along with European guitars, sax and drums. | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 18 - ASGUEBBA! | 822892 | CD | £ 11.99 | |
| 'Asguebba!' is the Azmari's cry urging listeners to enter into the dance, an invitation carrying the same sexual innuendo as Latino's Va dentro! The recordings on this CD are intended as a continuation of those in Tetchawet! (Ethiopiques 2) and feature most of the artists from the first edition.The songs are accompanied on the meessenqo (one string fiddle), the krar lyre, the kebero drum and the accordion. | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 2 - TETCHAWET 90'S | 82952-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
| A selection of traditional style songs performed by eleven folk cabaret artists. Astonishing is the simplest way of describing this album. The tracks by Misrak Mammo & Mellesse Bonger both of who sing with the Tchista Band - 'Flat Broke Band' and blind singer Djemil 'Jimmy' Mahmed are outstanding. Really good sleeve notes.[13T/71M] Originally wandering minstrels who roamed the old Abyssinian countryside, many azmaris settled down after the founding of Addis Ababa just over a century ago. The cleverest of them understood that they should set up their own business and take a cut on the drinks instead of getting by on tips earned singing their way from one bar to another. They took over the city by giving rise to a musical genre specific to Addis, called bolel, a mix of azmari traditions (praise or sarcasm at will, depending on the size of the tip) and of modern urban culture. Tetchweet, a sort of musical postcard from the Addis Ababa of the 90s, does not pretend to capture all the strands of Ethiopia's contemporary music, and the artists recorded don't necessarily belong to the family of azmaris. | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 3 - GOLDEN YEARS 69, 75 | 82963-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
| In six years (1969-1975) Amha Records issued approx 250 titles. Eight of the songs on this 'Ethiopiques 3' are accompanied by bands affiliated with the police. Indeed, until the very end of the sixties, Ethiopia had no independent modern bands. Musical life was dominated by the institutional bands attached to either the Imperial Body Guard, the Police, the Army, the City of Addis Ababa, Agher feqer Mahber or the Haile Sellasie I Theatre. Each of these institutions, however, developed several firmly demilitarised and even resolutely modern branches. They all vied trying to score one of the major hits of the year with the general public. Tracks from the following, Mahmoud Ahmed 3, Alemayhu Eshete 4,Hirut Beqele 4, Tilahoun Gessesse 2, Tadele Beqele 2, Teferi Felieqe 2 and Muluqen Mellesse 2. 19T/68M | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 4 - ETHIO JAZZ 69, 74 | 82964-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
| In the Ethiopian musical world, Mulatu Astaqe is atypical and unique. For 30 years he has been an inescapable presence, a virtual statue casting a long shadow over the Ethiopian scene.The singularity of this musician- arranger-composer-innovator-melder of influences-organiser resides in his efforts in favour of instrumental music — in a country where musical culture and tradition are strangers to it. A magic set of instrumental tracks drawn from two LPs - 'Ethiopian Modern Instrumental Hits' AELP10 and 'Yekatit - Ethio Jazz / Mulatu Astatke featuring Fekade Amde Meskel' AELP90 [14T/66M] | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 5 - TIGRIGNA MUSIC | 82965-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
| Tigrigna music means music of Tigray ane Eritrea. The majorities in each of these territories share the same language, Tigrigna. Tigrigna music, dominant in Tigray and Eritrea, is quite distinct, both rhythmically and melodically, from Ethiopian music, though both are based on the pentatonic scale. The traditional instruments and musical practices are similar, while their names may vary. Aside from the Tigrean Bezuayene Zegeye, most of the artists featured on this album are of Eritrean origin. Tracks from Tsehaytu Berakia (4), Tewelde Redda (4), Tebereh 'Doris Day' Tesfa-Hunegen (2), Bezuayene Zegeye (3), Beyene Habte (2) and Tekle Tesfa-Ezghi (3). [18T/74M] | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | ETHIOPIQUES 8 - SWINGING ADDIS 69-74 | 82982-2 | CD | £ 12.50 | |
In the sixties there was a Swinging Addis, just as there was a swinging London.
In Ethiopia, as in Europe or the US, the first generations born after the war made their noisy, colourful breakthrough onto the scene. A veritable cultural revolution rather than a simple generational conflict. With music as its common denominator. This volume of Ethiopiques aims to collect the clearest examples of soul, R'n'B and even twist in the recordings of the Ethiopian 'sixties'. The quintessence of the most outrageously cosmopolitan styles - yet so firmly anchored in the local soul. | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | MUSIC FROM ETHIOPIA | CAP21432 | CD | £ 12.70 | |
| A cracker of a compilation with loads of great tracks from the Abyssinia band mixed with more traditional fare. Not to be missed. [15T/72M] | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | MUSIC FROM ETHIOPIA | TSCD910 | CD | 12.05 | COL |
| Basic, beautiful and very powerful traditional music and song from Eritrea, the highlands of Ethiopia and from the desert nomads. The vocals are superb and some of them provide a stunning form of percussive rhythm that beats the hell out of Congo pygmy water music and even makes the chants of the Turkish dervishes sound a bit tame. Coupled with traditional instrumentation when needed and the tribal chants and ullahs of the women this is a wonderfully diverse and very listenable album. [31T/75M] | |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | RARE SOUNDS FROM ADDIS ABEBA | 31911672 | CD | 13.85 | COL |
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS | WEDDING SONGS | RPM005-4 | TC | 6.75 | COL |
| Sung is in Amharic by Shimelis Ararso it doesn't look from the title as if its very interesting. However, there you'd be totally wrong as side 'A' is a smashing reminder by former members of what was Ethiopia's foremost group, the Roha Band, of just how good they were. I loved the first two tracks with their rolling sax and guitar line-up although the last track was I thought a bit more suited to a funeral! Still, never mind, over on side 'B' some of the Kenyan group 'Them Mushrooms' give us their versions of some more wedding songs. Almost a 'Knees up Mother Brown' Ethiopian style, they should really have called this album 'Six weddings and a funeral' as its a definite winner! (F.T.Index: A2, A1, B3, B4, B1, B2, A3.) [7T/59M] | |
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