Ethio-Jazz & Ethio-Groove

Last album post for the year. የ2019 ሰው ይበለን!

My introduction to Ethio-jazz was through this music. I first heard it on 'ከጸሐይ በታች' TV show, which was hosted by Zeneb Wela on JTV.

Somali-Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter K'naan is best known for the global hit "Wavin' Flag", which was Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He is also known for weaving Ethiopian musical elements into his hip-hop. His 2009 album Troubadour is full of samples from golden-age Ethiopian musicians such as Mulatu Astatke, Tilahun Gessesse, Alemayehu Eshete, and Getachew Mekurya. The first single from the album, "ABCs",featuring Chubb Rock, samples Mulatu Astatke's Kasalefkut Hulu. Another track from the album, "America" featuring Mos Def and Chali 2na, samples Lantchi biye by Tilahun Gessesse. Alemayehu Eshete's Tey Gedyeleshem is also sampled, on "Dreamer". Getachew Mekurya's Shellela is sampled on "I Come Prepared", featuring Damian Marley while Tilahun Gessesse is sampled twice more on the album; Yene Mastawesha on "Somalia" and Yene Felagote on "15 Minutes Away."

I had been searching for digital digital rips of three rare albums. 1. Hailu Mergia's Yewedek Abeba 2. Tewodros and Dereje Mekonnen with Shebele Band 3. Teshome Mitiku and His Experience. I couldn't find them on YouTube, but thanks to some kind people on RateYourMusic, I finally managed to find them. I've now uploaded them to YouTube.

Tigist Ejigu is a pianist and alumni of Yared Music School. Tigist's first album, Ambassel, has achieved international recognition. Her second album, Kerhugn is a collection of interpretations of Ethiopia's popular and traditional melodies. It is reflective of Tizita, Bati, Anchehoye Lene and Ambassel modes of expression. Her repertoire included renditions of traditional Ethiopian, western classical, and popular international music. It also included interpretative variations on themes of traditional Ethiopian and western classical music. Here is Ambassel(1997).