Ethiopian music in the World.
Dub Colossus
Nick (Dubulah) Page, leader of the band, has put the emphasis on dub and funk in this exuberant album. The tracks are propelled by the "brass players" of Negus. Dub Colossus has a selection guest singers at its disposal, with, among others the Jamaican veteran Joseph Cotton.In the song "Madmen" you will hear the voice of producer/writer Dubulah (also known as Nick Page) in a highly effective, half spoken singing, with critical political lyrics.
Tracks:
2. Family Man
9. Madmen
Cd: Addis To Omega van Dub Colossus. Label: IRL-Independent Records Ltd. UK (2014), code: EM002. XANGO distributie. Video.
Hailu Mergia and the Walias Walias.
Tche Belew, from 1977, was a pioneering recording. Ans the LP became a collectors item for many reasons, especially because of the unusual fusion of Ethiopian songs, polished contemporary arrangements and "Western" instrumentation. Sublime music of one of the rudimentary bands of funk, Ethiojazz and soul.
Tracks:
1. Tche Belew
5. Lomi Tera-tera
6. Woghenei
Cd: Tche Belew van Hailu Mergia & The Walias. Label: Awesome Tapes from Africa USA (1977 & 2014), code: ATFA012. Website.
Abyssinia Infinite, feat. Gigi Shibabaw.
Ethiopians believe that Ethiopia is meant when Zion is mentioned in the Bible, says Gigi. With that in mind, the album of Zion Roots is exactly what is says: music rooted in the Ethiopian culture. Gigi’s experience with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has largely affected the sound of this CD. Although this album doesn’t contain songs of the Ethiopian church the phrasing and the style of the traditional hymns are very similar. The soul and vibrato characterizations of the church music of Ethiopia are comparable.
Tracks:
3. Alesema
10. Ethoia
Cd. Zion Roots van Abyssinia Infinite, feat. Gigi Shibabaw (2003). Label: Network Medien GmbH, code: 24.971. Video.
The Best Of Mahmoud Ahmed.
When there could be only one artist who personifies the history of Ethiopian music, than it has to be Mahmoud Ahmed. The best of Mahmoud Ahmed, Tizita, vol.2 includes many songs that made Mahmoud a legend all over the world. Mahmouds journey started in Addis Abeba in 1963, when he joined the imperial Body Guard Band. He released his first solo recording In 1972. The demand of his music brought him to North-America, Europe and Asia, where his name has become a byword of Ethiopian music. Mahmoud Ahmed is the voice of Ethiopia, the only African country that has never been colonized. Mahmoud is the winner of the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in 2007..
Tracks:
6. Ere Mela Mela
8. Alawekshilignim
2. Tizita Garedew
Cd. The Best of Mahmoud Ahmed, Tizita vol.2 from the series The Ethiopian Legends. Label: AIT Records USA (2008), code: AIT025. XANGO distribution.
Video.
