Muluken Melesse - The Great Unknown Muluken Melesse [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       Muluken Melesse was born in 1954 in northern Ethiopia's province of Gojjam. After wandering extensively with his uncle, at the age of six they settled in Addis Ababa. The phenomenally precocious Muluken Melesse was just 12 when he began his singing career in 1966 at the Patric Lumuba night club. Like many vocalists of the period, he started off with the different police bands, and went on to sing with the first non-institutional groups of those founded by nightclub owners (Blue Nile Band, Zula Band, Venus Band, Equators Band...)

       Hedech Alu was the first song he recorded on vinyl at the beginning of 1972.

       In a very short period of time his popularity soared sky-high. Backed by the Dahlak, Roha (as Ibex), and Ethio-Stars bands, Muluken has recorded from 1972 till 1976 a series of successful casettes and records and in 1976 what was to be his last hit, Ney Ney Wodaje.

      Muluken abandoned his career during the 80's to devote himself and his voice to the Pentacostal church and continued singing gospels occasionally. The magic was gone. Wishful thinking among his fans regularly gives rise to rumors of a comeback, but none has materialized ...

    When Muluken Melesse came to the scene, he brought the Balager Sound, the "Ethiopian Roots Music" of the rural villages in Ethiopia to cosmopolitan Addis Ababa , reversing the trend of simply aping the West.

   Muluken captured that essence and the entire feel of the "Real Ethiopia". In Ethiopia's poetic tradition there are the sam-ennawarq (wax and gold) verses , songs that are apparently about love, but subliminally they level serious criticism at the rulers and political or social conditions.

Sam-ennawarq is open to so much interpretation that listeners enjoy arguing all day for their exact meaning.

An example from Muluken's lyrics:

   Tenesh Kelbe Lay   

Please, leave my heart alone. 

Why don't you leave my heart alone? 

I want to be free like other human beings. 

Something which I don't understand. 

What did I see that stung me so?

I have seen beyond beauties, 

but I have been stung still by your love. 

Your love disarms me. 

Everything looks so nice on her.

Her beauty is misleading. 

I love the way you dance seksta,

shaking your lovely neck and shoulders. 

Saddle my horse, 

so that I can ride to her 

and drink deep of the feast of her love.

01. Muluken Mellesse - Tenesh Kelibe Laye (4:24)
02. Muluken Mellesse - Ere Indet Nesh Gedawo (4:12)
03. Muluken Mellesse - Embwa Belew (3:55)
04. Muluken Mellesse - Wetete Mare (3:32)
05. Muluken Mellesse - Yeminjar Shega (2:31)
06. Muluken Mellesse - Hedech Alu (5:13)
08. Muluken Mellesse - Gelayewa Neyney (8:21)
09. Muluken Mellesse - Meche Amakerechign (4:34)
10. Muluken Mellesse - Djemeregne (7:29)

Zeleke Gessesse - [2010] - Come to me [ethiopia]

       A political refugee, Zeleke Gessesse, was forced to leave his beloved homeland of Ethiopia 30 years ago after the nation fell into a crippling state of political suppression and economic strife. His personal eventually led Zeleke to the United States, where he persued studies studies at the university level, and focused intently on developing his burgeoning musical career. Eventually, Zeleke was joined by his brothers and fellow musicians from Ethiopia. As a musical collective, they formed a band called Dallol. Zeleke’s band was signed in the early eighties to Bob Marley’s TUFF GONG label. In 1984, Zeleke’s musical innovations and talents earned him an invitation to join Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers. For nine years, Zeleke served as a integral member of the band, touring the world, and echoing Jah’s message to the masses.

       Throughout his tenure with The Meloday Makers, Zeleke was a key contributor to the albums Conscious Party and One Bright Day. In particular, his musical input was critical in the development of the tracks “Tomorrow People,” and “Black My Story,” two of the bands most popular and widely adored songs.

       During his successful musical career Zeleke was able to, eventually, accumulate enough capital to purusue a dream he had long harbored. He had always dreamed of owning and operating a world class, live music venue. His vision was to create a venue where the best Reggae and World Music artists could showcase their talents in a positive environment.

       In 1986, Zeleke became a partial owner of The Wild Hare, which is located in Chicago, Illinois, and he has spent the last 24 years investing his heart and soul in to crafting it into something truly special. The results of Zeleke’s hard work are evidenced by the celebrated reputation The Wild Hare now enjoys on an international scale. In 2007, major interior renovations were completed; the most dramatic to date. These enhancements serve to enforce the visitor’s perception that they’ve entered into a dynamic and exciting cultural oasis. The beauty of the new interior, combined with highly sought after artists routinely stalking the stage, has created a common perception amongst music lovers that The Wild Hare in the same pantheon as Chicago’s most regal musical landmarks. 

       In addition to The Wild Hare into the respected venue it is today, Zeleke has never stopped recording, producing and performing his own transcendent music. His critically acclaimed albums include Come to Me, Out of Africa and Selam. The eclectic musical infusion one hears in Zeleke’s music is truly unique. He often employs Ethiopian and reggae rhythms. Lyrics are sang in both Amharic and English - with a spattering of Jamaican patois mixed in as well. This unique music results in a pleasing, signature sound which has gathered him a fiercely loyal following. As most critics agree: Zeleke’s music is truly a rarity in its universal ability to inspire, enlighten and entertain.

       Though very much a musical icon in Chicago, Zeleke’s heart belongs to his motherland. In fact, his ultimate dream is to build another Wild Hare, along with a recording studio, back home in Ethiopia. In doing so he will come full circle and complete the journey he began decades ago as a refugee fleeing his homeland with only a dream.

01. Come On Down 3:27

02. Don't Let Me Down 3:57

03. I Don't Want To Lose You 4:24

04. Shivering Me 4:48

05. Ahun Ahun 4:33

06. Slippin' Into Darkness 4:07

07. Universal Children 4:41

08. Kotumae 4:49

09. Ethio Melody 4:01

10. Inner City Blues 3:52

11. Ashkaroo 4:18

Hana Shenkute - Yiqir Beqa [1999] [ethiopia]

    R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

01. Hana Shenkute - Yiqir Beqa (4:24)

02. Hana Shenkute - Ajeb New (5:50)

03. Hana Shenkute - Sew Alegne (6:57)

04. Hana Shenkute - Geba Woy Gedam (6:51)

05. Hana Shenkute - Aletshalegn (5:30)

06. Hana Shenkute - Imye Ethiopia (6:03)

07. Hana Shenkute - Aleqsalehu (6:34)

08. Hana Shenkute - Endew Zim (6:21)

09. Hana Shenkute - Zew Bel (6:02)

10. Hana Shenkute - Iyut Guden (5:58)

Adib Kadir - Harari Love + Harar Hop [ethiopia]

        Adib Kadir - Harari Love [2006]   

      

    Harari cultural music in a language that originated deep in the mountains of Ethiopia.

1. Adib Kadir - Gizmaanay (3:21)
2. Adib Kadir - Kamen Darar (4:55)
3. Adib Kadir - Ayanana (3:30)
4. Adib Kadir - Oreetay (5:03)
5. Adib Kadir - Ifatcheshakh (4:57)
6. Adib Kadir - Subti Orti (4:35)

      Adib Kadir - Harar Hop [2009]   

       A beautiful blend of Ethiopian Hip Hop & Reggae music. Album features Harari, Amharic, and English language vocals.

1. Adib Kadir - Yehunzal Yehunal (3:41)
2. Adib Kadir - Aruzay Aruzay (3:14)
3. Adib Kadir - Kahatay (3:48)
4. Adib Kadir - Iferkumaykh (3:59)
5. Adib Kadir - Baday (2:54)
6. Adib Kadir - Eye Lay (4:05)
7. Adib Kadir - Shungo (4:08)
8. Adib Kadir - Nay Nay Nay (4:32)
9. Adib Kadir - Atundoqing (5:35)