Ethiopiques 13: Ethiopian Groove [Import]

Ethiopiques (Buda Series) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2003)
• Original Release Date: April 8, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Buda Musique
• ASIN: B00008VGND
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,048 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tashamanalétch (She Stirs Up Covetousness)

2. Ewnètègna Feqer (A True Love)

3. Mètch Ené Terf Fèlèghu

4. Wèdèdku Afqèrkush (I'm in Love, I Love You)

5. Antchin Yagènulèt (When They See You)

6. Muziqa Muziqa

7. Atraqègn (Don't Go Away from Me)

8. Yèmendjar Shèga

9. Muziqawi Silt [Instrumental]

10. Djemeregne

11. Feqer Aydèlèm Wèy (Isn't It Love?)

12. Ya Djalèléto (My Beautiful Beloved)

13. Tegel Nèw

14. Gud Adèrègètchegn (She Shattered Me)

15. Gèdawo (The Lucky One)

16. Mètché Nèw (When?)

17. Amlak Abét Abét (Lord, I Pray of You)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring volume in a compelling series, August 20, 2006

By 

Jeff Hodges (Denton, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ethiopiques 13: Ethiopian Groove (Audio CD)

Ethiopia represents a complex cultural crossroads. It is the oldest independent country in Africa and its fascinating history dates back to the Greeks. Unlike the majority of African regions, Ethiopia avoided colonization. However, we should not confuse the integrity of its borders with isolation. Its population is simultaneously Christian, Islamic, and a broad variety of local religions and customs. Untangling how these influences interact to create the tracks on "Ethiopian Groove" is well beyond the scope of an informal Amazon review, but is nonetheless interesting to consider.

The subtitle "The Golden Seventies" that this volume holds refers to the specific set of circumstances that allowed this music to happen. From 1969-1978 was considered the "age of the record" in Ethiopia, and marked its happy years with a charged nightlife that could be compared to the "swinging" scene in London. Brass Bands were imported during the reign of Haile Selassie. These resulting military and police bands accompanied vocalists whose records were the soundtrack for this scene. Because of this cross-fertilization, "Ethiopian Groove" sports a very strong presence of Western big band instruments. In fact, this common ground in exposed on Vol. 20 of the Ethiopiques series, "Live in Addis" by the Either/Orchestra, which was my introduction to this series. However, as much as I like that album, I think that I have come to like "Ethiopian Groove" more. Probably more correctly, the authenticity of this recording enhances my appreciation of the other.

Despite the "exotic" language that the lyrics are in, many of the tunes are extremely catchy, and I find myself singing along in terribly mispronounced mimicry. A few of the songs are not as melodic as the others, and without a text to refer to it can be convenient to dismiss these tunes. However, for those who crave lyrics, the excellent liner notes that this volume of Ethiopiques shares with the others in the series has both English and French translations. The exhaustive background information that is also included will most assuredly pique the interest if the curious. These are the things we miss out on when we use downloadable "soft" MP3 versions of albums.

The cyclic nature of the distinctive grooves on this volume is also of interest. Rhythms that superimpose triple time over double time are quite common in African music. In the case of "Ethiopian Groove", this means that in many cases, the bass will be playing in three and the drums in four, cycling back into sync every few "measures". There are times when the bass line, in an extended ostinato, cycles in and out of sync with the melody.

I find myself continually humming "Muziqawi Silt". It provides a perfect example of a triple-meter ostinato bass line over a duple-meter drum beat, and a floating modal melodic line. I really wish that someone would do a commercially available arrangement for jazz band so that my group could play it. However, most of the songs on "Ethiopian Groove" are vocal, and for an idea of the vocal approach, I would also suggest to the curious to check out "Amlek abet abet". The Either/Orchestra's "Live in Addis" recording features arrangements of both of these tracks and it is not a stretch to see why these tracks lent themselves easily to Western arrangement. It is also interesting to note the differences, as the polymetric bass lines in these original recordings are largely not present on the "Live in Addis" recording. If for no other reason, hearing these tracks in their original setting with minimal westernization is stimulating and interesting. There are also several other tracks that stand on their own like the opener "Tashamaletch" and "Metch ene terf feleghu". While these are great songs, these tracks most likely defied arrangement because of complex vocal styles and tonalities outside of the boundaries of "Western-isms".

The vocals may be the singular obstacle for the uninitiated to surmount. In a tradition more associated with the Middle East, North African vocals are highly ornamented and the tone is intentionally pushed towards the timbre in the "head voice". This can be a little abrasive and shrill to Western ears, particularly in the female voice. The first-time listener may not be prepared for when this timbre is coupled with the distortion that was unavoidable in the original recordings.

The Lowdown: This was the first recording I have of "authentic" Ethiopian popular music and I find myself listening to it quite a bit. As an example of globalization, it is fascinating, and as an example of a unique musical style, it is enjoyable. If you open your ears to "Ethiopian Groove", it will prove to be a rewarding listen.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethiopian Groove, burns down the house!!!, May 10, 2007

By 

Stephen K. Reeder (Vienna, Austria) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ethiopiques 13: Ethiopian Groove (Audio CD)

Ethiopiques, Vol. 13: Ethiopian Groove, is one of the stronger compilations in this amazing series! This compilation features the all stars and lesser know singers of Ethiopian soul!
Volume 13 features music from the late sixties and seventies, and the music is more uptempo and features tighter arrangements and better recording quality than some of the other discs in this series.
I would definitely recommend this disc (or Ethiopiques Vol. 8, Swinging Addis) as a great starting point in this ever-growing series.