Ethiopia

Ethiopia stands as a cultural crossroads for Africa. It is the oldest independent country in Africa. Unlike the majority of Africa, Ethiopia throughout its long history has avoided colonization. But just because it was never colonized, it was by no means isolated. Its population is parts Christian, Islamic, & a broad variety of local religions & traditional customs. It has shared commerce & culture with Europe as far back as the Greek & Roman Empire, Asia since the time of the Tea Horse & Southern Silk routes, & across most of Africa.

It seems like nearly everyone taking this musical journey agrees that the African music from the 70s is the funkiest, freshest, & finest. Since Ethiopia was a cultural crossroad as I discussed above, why would they be any different. The 70s has been dubbed ‘the Golden 70s’ by many. Ethiopiques Vol. 13 is in fact called Ethiopian Groove: The Golden Seventies. The sound is incredible. It’s a mix of heavy funk, spacey jazz, & other exotic touches all coming together. It’s a unique sort of sound that's beyond any referent. It is easily some of the freshest music on the planet in the 70s or today.

1969 - 1978 was considered ‘the Age of the Record’ in Ethiopia. It was notable for the vibrant nightlife that has been compared to ‘swinging London’. All tracks here were recorded between 1973 - 1977.

Two tracks from Seyoum Gèbrèyès & Wallias Band & two tracks from Muluqèn Mèllèssè & Dahlak Band are added to the 17 track cd. For the album from 1994 (16 song album), all three tracks from Aster Aweke that are on the album are absent on the cd. Many of the tracks have different spellings from album to cd. I have included all 20 tracks for anyone who wants either version. The spelling from the album is used for the main list. The spelling from the cd is used on the cd only tracks.

Various – Ethiopian Groove: The Golden Seventies, 

Buda Musique, 1994 (16 song album) & 2003 (17 track cassette). 

decryption code in comments

Side A -

Alemayehu Eshete & Shebelle’s Band - Tashamanaletch

Hirut Bekele & Police Orchestra - Ewnetegna Feker

Alemayehu Eshete & Shebelle’s Band - Wededku Afkerkush

Tamrat Ferendji & Sensation Band - Anchin Yagegnulet

Aster Aweke & Sensation Band - Antiye

Bzunesh Bekele & Dahlak Band - Atrakegn

Wallias Band - Musicawi Silt

Aster Aweke & Sensation Band - Etetu Beredegne

Side B -

Ayalew Mesfin & Black Lion Band - Feker Aydelmwey

Aster Aweke & Sensation Band - Lomiye

Tamrat Ferendji & Sensation Band - Ya Jaleleto

Bzunesh Bekele & Dahlak Band - Tigel New

Ayalew Mesfin & Black Lion Band - Good Aderegechegn

Ayalew Mesfin & Black Lion Band - Gedawo

Asselefetch Ashine & Getenesh Kebret & Army Band - Meche New

Asselefetch Ashine & Getenesh Kebret & Army Band - Amlak Abet Abet

Tracks 3 & 6 from cd -

Seyoum Gèbrèyès & Wallias Band - Mètch Ené Terf Fèlèghu

Seyoum Gèbrèyès & Wallias Band – Muziqa Muziqa

Tracks 8 & 10 from cd –

Muluqèn Mèllèssè & Dahlak Band - Yèmendjar Shèga

Muluqèn Mèllèssè & Dahlak Band – Djemeregne

I don't necessarily agree that this is the very best of Éthiopiques. But with more than twenty albums in this Ethiopian series, I doubt that any two people given the task would pick the same tracks. These tracks are excellent, but there are tracks that I would have included & tracks I would have left out of the mix, but it’s kinda subjective, so…I’m not gonna argue with the title or subtitle. These two discs are filled with gorgeous grooves that serve well as a guide to a series that's earned every bit of its legendary cred.

Various – The Very Best of Éthiopiques: Hypnotic Groovesfrom the Legendary Series 2 x cd, 

Manteca MANTDCD245, 2007.

decryption code in comments

CD 1 –

Tesfa Maryam Kidané - Heywèté

Mulatu Astatqé -Yèkèrmo Sèw

Mulatu Astatqé -Yèkatit

Girma Bèyènè - Enkèn Yèlélèbesh

Bahta Gèbrè-Heywèt - Ewnèt Yèt Lagegnesh

Mulatu Astatqé - Gubèlyé

Mahmoud Ahmed - Erè Mèla Mèla

Mahmoud Ahmed - Mètché Nèw

Alemayehu Eshete - Tchero Adari Nègn

Alemayehu Eshete - Telantena Zaré

Wallias Band - Muziqawi Silt

Ayaléw Mèsfin & Black Lion Band - Gèdawo

Tlahoun Gessesse - Tchuhetén Betsèmu

Menelik Wèsnatchèw - Tezeta

CD 2 –

Maryam Guebrou - Mother's Love

Tlahoun Gessesse - Sema

Tewelde Redda - Milènu

Beyene Habte - Embi Ila

Mulatu Astatqé - Tezeta

Girma Bèyènè - Sét Alamenem

Muluqèn Mèllèssè & Dahlak Band - Bèné Mote

Getatchew Mekurya - Antchi Hoyé

Tlahoun Gessesse - Kulun Mankwalèsh

Getatchew Mekurya - Shellèla

Seyfu Yohannes - Mèla Mèla

Mahmoud Ahmed - Atawurulegn Léla

Mahmoud Ahmed - Festum Denq Ledj Nèsh

Alemu Aga - Abatatchen Hoy (Pater Noster)

Enjoy,

NØ