“Mariama”, a programme about African music. Éthiopiques.
This week in Mariama a tribute to Ethiopian music. Ethiopian music is unique, makes use of the pentatonic scale and irregular times. The sexy, swinging brass, the commanding bass and the passionate singers make listening to the CDs almost an addiction.
Today attention for the double CD ‘The Very best of Éthiopiques’. This is a compilation of the 23-part Éthiopiques series, a monumental piece of work that is still growing because of the inexhaustible input of producer Francis Falceto.
Most albums have been produced between 1969 and 1974. It were the golden years of Ethiopia, with a variety of good orchestras, enthusiastic singers and special arrangers. The flourishing night life in Adis Abeba was a good soil for musical talent. It produced young stars like singers Mahmoud Ahmed, Girma Béyéné and James Brown imitator Alemayehu Eshete and swinging orchestras like Mulatu Astatqé and Wallias Band and many, many others.
In 1974 this musical melting pot came to an end when dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1974 deposed emperor Haile Selassie and by decree imposed a curfew, that made nightlife impossible.
Since 1975 the promotor of Ethiopian music Ali Abdella Kaifa made many audio cassettes, under which the famous Mela mela. Recordings made with minimalistic technical equipment. These have been assimilated in the series Éthiopiques.
Play List:
CD ‘The Very best of Éthiopiques’ 2007. Tèsfa Maryam Kidané. Manteca, mantdcd245
1. ‘Heywete’ – Tèsfa Maryam Kidané
2. ‘Yèkèrno Sèw’ – Mulatu Astatqé
3. ‘Yèkatit’ – Mulatu Astatqé
4. ‘Ere Mela Mela’ – Mahmoud Ahmed
5. ‘Metche New’ – Mahmoud Ahmed
6. ‘Énken Yelelebesh’ – Girma Bèyènè
7. ‘Tchero Adari Negn’ – Alèmayèhu Eshèté
8. ‘Telantena Zare’ – Alèmayèhu Eshèté
9. ‘Mother’s Love’ – Tsequé-Maryam Guèbrou
10. ‘Telantena Zare’ – Getatchew Mekuria
CD ‘Moa Anbessa’ Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex & Guests. Terp Records A5-11
11. ‘Eywat Setenafegagn’ – Getatchew Mekuria
CD ‘The Very best of Éthiopiques’ 2007. Thaloun Gèssèssè. Manteca, mantdcd245
12. ‘Sema’ – Thaloun Gèssèssè
13. ‘Kulun Mankwalèsh’ – Thaloun Gèssèssè
