Ethiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music

Amazon.com
Creaking horns, wheezing Farfiza organs, and soulful, Middle Eastern-tinged vocals are the hallmarks of these rare recordings from the Golden Age of Ethiopian popular music (1969-1975), made during Haile Sellasie's reign before the military shut down of Addis Abbaba's nightlife. Soul, jazz, and UK '60s pop had infiltrated the hipster milieu, adding new color to the swirling, elliptical local grooves, laid down by moonlighting members of police and military bands (they had the instruments), often with stunning effect. The unfamiliar Arabic vocal flavor actually shares common roots with R&B, and any hint of ersatz kitsch is dispelled by their passion and integrity. Recorded with just one or two mikes, these selections are reminiscent of early Jamaican bluebeat in quality, heightening the effect of glimpsing a magical time, long passed, through a dusty keyhole, and the other individual releases in the series are equally as fascinating. --Derek Rath

Ethiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music,Various Artists,Buda Musique,Africa,Afro-Pop,Ethiopia,Ethiopian,Ethnic,Int'l & World Music,Pop,V/a Compilations,World Music,Worldbeat

Average customer rating: !!!!!!!!! Amazing Ethiopia Musique Ethiopiques, vol. 3 Best disk of the series!

Ethiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music Various Artists Manufacturer: Buda Musique ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ethiopia | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ethiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974 Ethiopiques, Vol. 8: Swinging Addis Ethiopiques, Vol. 14: Negus of Ethiopian Sax Ethiopiques, Vol. 13: Ethiopian Groove ASIN: B000009CNU Release Date: 1998-07-07

Tracks:

1. Kulun Mankwalesh - Mahmoud Ahmad/Ibex Band
2. Lomiwen Teqebeletch - Mahmoud Ahmad/Agher Geqer Band
3. Tey Gedyeleshem - Alemayehu Eshete
4. Temeles - Alemayehu Eshete/Hirut Beqele
5. Almokerkum Neber - Hirut Beqele
6. Essu New Messelegn - Hirut Beqele
7. Yeqondjowotch Mender - Hirut Beqele/Police Orchestra
8. Man Yawqal Yebeten - Hirut Beqele/Police Orchestra
9. Sema - Tlahoun Gessesse/Police Orchestra
10. Yewnet Messosso Metch Yeneqaneqal - Tlahoun Gessesse/Police Orchestra
11. Enafqeshalehu - Tadele Beqele/Police Orchestra
12. Antchi Qondjo - Tadele Beqele/Police Orchestra
13. Kelkeyelegn - Teferi Felleqe/Army Band
14. Aynamaye - Teferi Felleqe /Army Band
15. Tenesh Kelbe Lay - Muluqen Mellesse/Equators Band
16. Embwa Belew - Muluqen Mellesse/Equators Band
17. Ete Hoy - Alemayehu Eshete/Equators Band
18. Hameta - Alemayehu Eshete/Equators Band
19. Selam Almazeye - Mahmoud Ahmed/Agher Feqer Band

Amazon.com

Creaking horns, wheezing Farfiza organs, and soulful, Middle Eastern-tinged vocals are the hallmarks of these rare recordings from the Golden Age of Ethiopian popular music (1969-1975), made during Haile Sellasie's reign before the military shut down of Addis Abbaba's nightlife. Soul, jazz, and UK '60s pop had infiltrated the hipster milieu, adding new color to the swirling, elliptical local grooves, laid down by moonlighting members of police and military bands (they had the instruments), often with stunning effect. The unfamiliar Arabic vocal flavor actually shares common roots with R&B, and any hint of ersatz kitsch is dispelled by their passion and integrity. Recorded with just one or two mikes, these selections are reminiscent of early Jamaican bluebeat in quality, heightening the effect of glimpsing a magical time, long passed, through a dusty keyhole, and the other individual releases in the series are equally as fascinating. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

!!!!!!!!!.......2007-04-10

Wow, what a gem. A marvelous fusion of traditional Etheopian music and funk which works on every level.

Amazing Ethiopia.......2005-07-28

This CD exemplifies the artistic ingenuity of the Ethiopian people. Though the music is quite obviously very Westernized, employing electric guitars, drum kits, saxophones, and even muted trumpet solos, the music retains native Ethiopian elements, such as a propensity toward triple meter rhythms, strict adherence to a variety of pentatonic scales, and the use of the Amharic language. This music truly was the golden age of modern Ethiopian music. Many of these recordings were the last of their kind to be released before the oppressive and all too long-lasting Marxist regime of Mengistu Hailemariam came to power.

This CD showcases some of the superstars of Ethiopian pop music - Muluqèn Mèllèssè, Alèmayèhu Eshèté, Tlahoun Gèssèssè, and Mahmoud Ahmed, just to name a few. The music ranges from the fun - 'Yèqondjowotch Mendèr', sung by Hirut Bèqèlè, with the groovy and bouncy Police Orchestra jamming on saxophones, trumpets, drums, and electric guitar. Hirut sings a happy melody about the 'village of the beauties,' where none are as handsome as her lover - to dramatic - 'Tènèsh kèlbé lay', where Muluqèn Mèlèsse begs for his heart to be left alone by the torments of love - to energetic - 'Kèlkeyelegn', sung by Tèfèri Fèllèqè, backed by the Army Band. The song starts with a funky 60's organ and brass over an undulating bassline, with bright electric guitars imparting an almost Kenyan sound - to sexy - 'Sèlam Almazeyé', Mahmoud Ahmed's famous song about his passionate love for the beautiful Almaz.

I've only been listening to Ethiopian (and Eritrean) music for about a year so fare, but this is yet another jewel from the wonderful Ethiopiques series. I highly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in the music of this overlooked and misunderstood land.

Musique Ethiopiques, vol. 3.......2002-03-25

Each track on this CD is a gem. Just when you think it can't possibly get any better, the next track is. It is hard music to describe... If you enjoy Om Kulsum you will be in a good position to start with this, although this is probably more broadly accessible than Om Kulsum. Some of it sounds almost like some older Indian and Japanese pop music. These people certainly listened to James Brown and you can hear Motown and central African influences, but an artist like Muluqen Mellesse takes these influences and makes something new and beautiful. Read the lyrics translated in the informative insert that comes with this CD. Everything about this collection is wonderful.

Best disk of the series!.......2000-10-30

The first song has a trance-inducing beat, snake charmer saxophone stylings, and passionate vocals. The rest of the disk rocks out like some sort of "middle eastern" James Brown. Nice hammond organ work on a few tracks. Brilliant vocalists. Beautiful clarinet on the last song.

Average customer rating:

Ethiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music Various Artists Manufacturer: Buda Musique ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000025047 Release Date: 1998-07-26

Tracks:

1. Kulun Mankwalesh - Mahmoud Ahmad/Ibex Band
2. Lomiwen Teqebeletch - Mahmoud Ahmad/Agher Geqer Band
3. Tey Gedyeleshem - Alemayehu Eshete
4. Temeles - Alemayehu Eshete/Hirut Beqele
5. Almokerkum Neber - Hirut Beqele
6. Essu New Messelegn - Hirut Beqele
7. Yeqondjowotch Mender - Hirut Beqele/Police Orchestra
8. Man Yawqal Yebeten - Hirut Beqele/Police Orchestra
9. Sema - Tlahoun Gessesse/Police Orchestra
10. Yewnet Messosso Metch Yeneqaneqal - Tlahoun Gessesse/Police Orchestra
11. Enafqeshalehu - Tadele Beqele/Police Orchestra
12. Antchi Qondjo - Tadele Beqele/Police Orchestra
13. Kelkeyelegn - Teferi Felleqe/Army Band
14. Aynamaye - Teferi Felleqe /Army Band
15. Tenesh Kelbe Lay - Muluqen Mellesse/Equators Band
16. Embwa Belew - Muluqen Mellesse/Equators Band
17. Ete Hoy - Alemayehu Eshete/Equators Band
18. Hameta - Alemayehu Eshete/Equators Band
19. Selam Almazeye - Mahmoud Ahmed/Agher Feqer Band

Album Description

Sub-titled 'Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music (1969-75)'. UK compilation drawn from the catalogs of Amha Records and Kaifa Records. The Artists may be unfamiliar but the musical heritage contained within is hugely rewarding. Vibrant and sassy urban pop, Arabic elements mixing sinuously with low down funk 'n' roll. Standard jewel case.

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