Blogtrotters

Friday, November 27, 2015

Umar Suleeymaan - various tracks [ethiopia]














Umar Suleeyman - Bilisummaa




Umar Suleeymaan - 01 - Baaletu Sii Biyaa (5:40)
Umar Suleeymaan - 02 - Wabeen Namanceessisuu (7:26)
Umar Suleeymaan - 03 - Waboo Leenca (12:23)
Umar Suleeymaan - 04 - Fira Fakkaate (7:31)
Umar Suleeymaan - 05 - Ta Utaa Sibilta Gufta (4:51)
Umar Suleeymaan - 06 - Seena Oromiyaa (7:05)
Umar Suleeymaan - 07 - Robee Walashiyyoo (7:40)
Umar Suleeymaan - 08 - Leci Adee Bookisa (5:40)



Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Bruktawit Getahun aka Betty G. - Manew Fitsum [2015] [ethiopia]












Betty G - Asebehalew





Betty G. - 01 - Manew Fitsum (3:53)
Betty G. - 02 - Asebehalehu (3:45)
Betty G. - 03 - Yekelekelal (4:17)
Betty G. - 04 - Nana Demaye (5:14)
Betty G. - 05 - Tawekaleh (4:14)
Betty G. - 06 - Ye Zenbabaw Kelebete (4:39)
Betty G. - 07 - Meshenef Siyansegn (4:14)
Betty G. - 08 - Kant Aybeltim (4:01)
Betty G. - 09 - Sew Alegn (5:54)
Betty G. - 10 - Minew (3:55)
Betty G. - 11 - Aye Set (3:46)
Betty G. - 12 - Fikir Aybeltim Wey (4:16)
Betty G. - 13 - Super Star (4:08)




Sunday, November 22, 2015

Adib Kadir - Harari Love [2006] [ethiopia]













Adib Kadir - Oreetay





Adib Kadir - 01 - Intro (0:55)
Adib Kadir - 02 - Zamal (4:25)
Adib Kadir - 03 - Gizmaanay (3:21)
Adib Kadir - 04 - Ethiopia (3:52)
Adib Kadir - 05 - Kamen Darar (4:55)
Adib Kadir - 06 - Ayanana (3:30)
Adib Kadir - 07 - Mawordi (3:13)
Adib Kadir - 08 - Interlude (0:45)
Adib Kadir - 09 - Oreetay (5:02)
Adib Kadir - 10 - Akhash Zeltah (4:05)
Adib Kadir - 11 - Nayling (3:34)
Adib Kadir - 12 - Ifatcheshakh (4:57)
Adib Kadir - 13 - Subti Orti (4:35)
Adib Kadir - 14 - Huffbalu (4:43)
Adib Kadir - 15 - Ethiopia (remix) (4:15)
Adib Kadir - 16 - Outro (0:51)




Monday, November 16, 2015

Munit and Jorg - ፪ - Munit + Jorg [2013 [ethiopia] [ger+eth]









       Munit and Jörg have been creating a most unique and energized blend of Ethio-Acoustic Soul music in Addis Abeba, around Ethiopia and the world! This Ethio-German duet has been entertaining thousands of people with their exciting and engaging live shows, sharing their love for funk, soul and Ethiopian flavors with audiences everywhere.

      Since the duet formed in 2007, Munit and Jörg have had a great journey performing in all the best jazz and world clubs in Addis Abeba. With just one voice and one guitar, they create sounds that are larger than life while bringing an intimacy that makes their audience feel as though they are sitting with old friends in their living room. They believe in creating a positive and uplifting vibration where the audience becomes part of ‘the band, clapping, singing and moving to the music even if it’s in a language they don’t understand!

      Munit’s voice soars in perfect harmony and beat with the rhythmic strumming and drumming of Jörg’s playing as they infuse new energy into old song and tell their own personal stories with joy and play at the heart of it all.




Munit and Jorg - Yekermo Sew




       Munit + Jorg second album, a studio production entitled “፪ ። 2”, was released in March 2013. The title represents the fact that it is the two of them that were the executive producers and artistic directors this project. It is also their second album and the blend of two cultures that has created their unique music! 

       The long-awaited album contains 14 songs, of which 9 are originals and 5 are well-loved familiar tunes ranging from an updated classic by 
legendary krar player, vocalist and actress Asnakech Worku, to children’s songs and an Ethio-jazz standard originally arranged by Ethiopian musical icon Mulatu Astatke. The combination of the new and old provides something for everybody, for those who crave to remember the good old days to those who crave new visions, styles and sounds in Ethiopian music. 

     The album includes many styles and the songs tell personal stories and universal truths with layers of guitar and voice and a few touches of percussion by guest drummers Natnael Tessema and Teferi Assefa




Munit and Jorg - 01 - Hagere (4:10)
Munit and Jorg - 02 - Abet Abet (4:14)
Munit and Jorg - 03 - I Remember (4:39)
Munit and Jorg - 04 - Yekermo Sew (3:52)
Munit and Jorg - 05 - Kraro (2:33)
Munit and Jorg - 06 - Bale Gari (3:31)
Munit and Jorg - 07 - Trans-Africa Highway (4:32)
Munit and Jorg - 08 - Fana Wogi (3:29)
Munit and Jorg - 09 - Yegize Te-Amer (4:04)
Munit and Jorg - 10 - Vanity (4:38)
Munit and Jorg - 11 - Ete Mete (4:35)
Munit and Jorg - 12 - Sister (3:49)
Munit and Jorg - 13 - Abaye (4:43)
Munit and Jorg - 14 - Selam (3:14)




Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Ras Abel - Humble Beginnings [2000] [usa + ethiopia]



   R E U P L O A D     




Ras Abel - Love Is Selassie I





       The title of his album "Humble Beginnings" is the perfect phrase to describe the musical career of Ras Abel.



       Born in Addis Abeba in 1972, Ras Abel moved to the USA in 1989. While attending the college in Maryland in early 1990s Abel met a guy named Belatchew who encouraged young Ras' ability to express his lyrics. During the summers Abel, Belatchew on bass and his younger brother Dula met their soul JAH, creating music together. As their love for music grew, they decided to record a demo in 1994. They made two tracks, "Love is in the air" and "Forward to Zion".











       Due to the various difficulties, Ras was unable to pursue a musical career in full time. However, Ras continue to work with Dula in his studio in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he spent 1996-1999 in coordination with Dula and Tensae (co-producer of "Humble Beginnings") eventually produced "Humble Beginnings" in 2000. 

       While living in Washington, Ras Abel and Tensae tried to make music of Jah. Initially band was named "Maebel", which means tidal wave in Amharic. Later they changed their name to "Melekebet", name of native Ethiopian instrument, used to make an anouncements in ancient times.






     
"Melekebet" was consisted of Salomon on drums, Tensae on bass and Ras Abel on guitar, rhythm guitar and vocal. Their sound was unique blend of reggae and Ethiopian music. Band dismemmbered in early 2001. and Ras Abel took hiatus in the music of Jah.


    In 2008 Ras Abel returned to music once again. Abel recorded his second album with drummer Jeff Franca.

     Curently he is playing with his band "Tesfa". He also features on the album "Sur Mahber", a compilation of songs with various artist made with american group "Soldiers of Jah Army".






    
   In "Dancehall Celebration," he gives props to the new "conscious" roots-and-culture face of dancehall reggae; and in "Afrikawi," sung in the provincial Ethiopian language Tigrinya, he pays tribute to Zeray Deres, an Ethiopian warrior who stood up to the invading Italians.



      Ras Abel's voice is rich, with full range. The music on this CD ranges from Nyahbinghi rhythms, to ska, to Hard Roots, to some Ethiopian traditional music styling. Hard, real upbeat music and messages from a young lion making a 'Humble Beginning'. Respect!.






"Humble Beginnings" is not of humble quality. All tracks reveal that these young lions are under the influence of the masters of premium quality reggae. The lyrics are not shy about singing praises to His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Pan African Development and progressive livity for mankind.




Ras Abel - vocals, lead and rhythm guitar
Bobby T - solo guitar
Matt (bihnghi roots) - keyboards
Taharqa - keyboards
Tensae - bass guitar
Jeff Franca - drums





01. Ras Abel - Rastafari Callin' (5:16)
02. Ras Abel - Forward To Zion (6:01)
03. Ras Abel - Enat Ithiopia (4:29)
04. Ras Abel - Love Is 'N De Air (6:07)
05. Ras Abel - Dancehall Celebration (4:22)
06. Ras Abel - All De Time (3:46)
07. Ras Abel - Afrikawi (Tigrinia) (4:06)
08. Ras Abel - Roaring Lions (4:31)
09. Ras Abel - Bongo Locks (3:19)
10. Ras Abel - Love Is Selassie I (6:31)


Friday, November 6, 2015

v.a. - Eskesta [2003] [ethiopia]



   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   







        The Ethiopian term “Eskesta” means “Dancing shoulders.”  It is often practiced in the Northern parts of Ethiopia (Amhara group) where the indigenous tribes of Amhara, Wollo, Gondar etc. are still performing the dance of Eskesta. The motives and characteristics of the dance are often interchanged during the dance by the performers of the variety of war songs, hunting songs, Shepherd songs, love songs and work songs. The best dancer is appointed to the leader of the group and respectively the best singer.

      The eskesta dance transmits ideas, religious beliefs, historical events, ancient stories, emotions, thoughts, through a ritual of shoulder dancing and body movements performed on a certain musical background. One of the main dance motives and movements that are implemented in the ritual of performing of Eskesta are as follows: the Shepherd and his herd, religious commitment and praying (Coptic dance, Jewish roots) and as a matter of meditation.






Ethiopia Eskesta - Jaivah African Dance




       The extraordinary diversity of dances is a result of different cultures and people, often organized horizontally (grouped in space) in comparison to the European people who are vertically stratified. According to some analysis, the Ethiopian dances are not divided according to their function, but according to their uniqueness and individuality. Therefore, there are over 150 unique dance movements across Ethiopia and its regions.







       The theme of Eskesta can be described as follows – expressing certain emotions and impressions from the life through a typical body movement dating back to an Ethiopian tribe (Amhara region), performing these mainly with their heads and shoulders. These significant movements are having a great impact on the Ethiopian indigenous society as a whole. Some of the ideas and themes in this dance are actually inspired from the relations between the genders, work life and religion.

        It also is said that this dance was invented because of the snakes. Ethiopian people were often observing the “dance”/movements of the snake, shaking in the same way their neck. On the other hand, in the sphere of indigenous Ethiopian music the influence of the rattlesnake while shaking its tail (the sound it produces) has created a certain way of singing as well.

       Furthermore, other symbols and rituals that can be described are these connected with the costumes which each dancer wears. They are often made of woven cotton called “gabbi” or “netella” and painted with different colors depending on the gender of the dancer.

        Eskesta is a dance performed both from men and women with their head, neck, chest and shoulders, shaking in specific ways; the music played during the dance is often produced with the traditional Ethiopian instruments like krar, flute, drums and mesenko. The dancers sometimes sing or in some places of the dance utilize the silence in order to stress out some prevailing moments of the dance. There are however some variations depending on the areas in which this dance is performed – Wollo, Gondar or Gojjam.

           Historical context – Ethiopia is a widely diverse country with over 80 unique rich ethnic, cultural, custom and linguistic groups. One of the most significant areas in Ethiopian culture from which actually the other spheres developed further is the literature, representing Hebrew and Greek religious texts into the ancient Ge’ez, modern Amharic and Tigringa languages. This cultural heritage shaped some of the Ethiopian dance motives. However, the unique step and rhythm creates a certain motive of “mosaic culture”.

           Similar dances can be found in Western Africa, where indigenous dances are performed with head (with sort of tie on it) and arms, especially in the tribe of Conakry, Guinea.

          The dance Eskesta brings the dancer into a certain role of history and story-teller, who actually expresses and draws with his/her body the cultural traditions and life. The dance, as well the music and singing are serving as symbolical messages and influences on the Ethiopian society.

    Interpretation ethics – while enjoying the Eskesta dance accompanied by the music one can truly start travelling back in the time. These music and dances are dating 3000 years back in the African history – so unique and undiscovered from us, the Europeans. In this context, one can think of the religious variety implemented in the dances and music in Ethiopia as a whole – Orthodox Christian and Muslim motives playing the role of shaping the culture and traditions of this nation.

        Eskesta is very interesting to be observed – dancing in the beautiful Ethiopian nature, within the herds of animals making Eskesta an very expressive type of dance. Eskesta itself is providing positive emotions to the public and in the same time creating deeply spiritual atmosphere in which the observer cannot find his/herself easily. Namely this cultural confusion serves as the one that hinders us exploring the dance fully. Ethiopian dance is not something we, the Europeans can understand. Behind the apparent body shaking there are situated deeply cultural and hereditary connotations.




01 - Minale Dagnew - Hodye (5:14)
02 - Admasu Wube - Erikum (6:06)
03 - Tesfaye Workneh - Wubet (10:17)
04 - Taddesse Alemu - Gondar (9:05)
05 - Genet Masresha - Shebel (7:30)
06 - Taddesse Alemu - Minjar (5:20)
07 - Yeshimebet Dubale - Gojjam (8:03)
08 - Hayleyesus Girma - Gedame (7:18)