Ethiopiques Vol. 8: Swinging Addis

Ethiopiques is a series of compact discs featuring Ethiopian and Eritrean singers and musicians. The first time I came around this series was back in 1999, with the release of volume 8 of the series: Swinging Addis. This is a fantastic collection of Ethiopian music from the years 1969 - 1974. The music, certainly the tracks by Alèmayèhu Eshèté, is heavily inspired by James Brown while other tracks feature jazzy, soulful, electric-keyboard-fueled tunes. The fact that most of the tracks were recorded with what sounds like a maximum of just one mic, provides them with a raw, extra funky sound. I don't know how your Amharic language skills are, but mine are not up to date, so I can't make anything of the lyrics. Not that this spoils the party in any way though. Click the picture to download and enjoy! In 2010 number 27 of the series was released so when you like this, please check other volumes too.


01.Ene Negn Bay Manesh - Girma Beyene 
02.Mar Teb Yelal Kafesh
03.Hasabe - Ayalew Mesfin
04.Tchero Adari Negn - Alemayehu Eschete
05.Betchayen Tegodahu - Alemayehu Eschete
06.Tessassategn Eko - Bahta Gebre-Heywet 
07.Gizie - Bahta Gebre-Heywet
08.Astawesalehu - Lemma Demissew
09.Adrashash Tefabegn - Lemma Demissew
10.Lezelalem Nuri - Lemma Demissew
11.Yetesfa Tezeta - Tesfa-Maryam Kidane
12.Aynotchesh Yerefu - Samuel Belay
13.Qeresh Endewaza - Samuel Belay
14.Set Alamenem - Girma Beyene
15.Yebeqagnal - Girma Beyene
16.Enken Yelelebesh - Girma Beyene
17.Betchayen Tekezie - Getatchew Kassa
18.Afer Yemegneshal - Alemayehu Eschete
19.Eskegizew Bertchi - Alemayehu Eschete
20.Ayalqem Tedengo - Alemayehu Eschete 
21.Honey Baby - Alemayehu Eschete