we have to make a cafe in Australia that plays this music

I'm having a lot of memories flooding back of hanging out at Seagul point, sailing and cannoeing the river, playing magic, building mud bricks. I had a great time being your friend as a youngster. Interesting tunes.

አለምአየሁ እሸቴ > አልተለየሽኝም | Alemayehu Eshete > Alteleyeshegnem


Alemayehu Eshete is an Ethiopian singer nicknamed the Ethiopian Elvis Princely. In the 1960s and 70s Alemayehu stole the hearts of Ethiopian music lovers in his unique modern sounds, arrangement and stage moves. His songs are socially conscious, reflecting the political and social turbulences at the time.

He is known for his superb fashion choices, mainly influence by cow boy style. Many remember him for his long hair style and veil suits.

Alemayehu is considered one of the best singers of the 1960s and 70s, which are considered the golden age of Ethiopian music. His music is still loved by the present generation. Alemayehu still performs in Ethiopia and around the world.

Early life
Alemayehu was born in 1941 in Addis Ababa, known us Italian Sefer near to Piazza. His father owned one the few taxi’s in Addis Ababa and was a driver. When he was only 6 months old, his parents separated his mother took Alemayehu to Dessie. He was raised in Dessie Town until he was three years old.

His father brought Alemayehu back to Addis Ababa for an education.  He joined Christian Training Institute boarding school in Addis Ababa, where he was thought spiritual songs. His teachers at the time recognized Alemayehu’s voice as an exceptional and was considered their top singer in their quire.

When the boarding school decide to close its boys section, to become exclusively girl’s school/ Alemayehu joined Arbegnoch School in Addis Ababa. He was introduced to rock and roll music and fall in love with Elvis Princely and other widely known musicians at the time. He used to perform in different events in his school including for graduations, school party and other shows. Alemayehu admits that his early life is greatly influenced by western life style, music and movies

When he was in high school, he even tried to run away from his family, to go to the United States, believing that he had a shot in Hollywood. He first went to Asmara, Eritrea, and then to Massawa port. However, his effort to leave the country resulted many complications at Massawa port and he ended up in prison in Asmera. He was released and return to Addis Ababa.

Career
Alemayehu started his music career, in the 1950s. His talent was recognized first by Colonel Retta Demeke, a musician in the famous Addis Ababa Police Orchestra. Retta invited Alemayehu to perform with the Orchestra. He played with the orchestra until 1960, and had many of his early hits including Seul. Alemayehu credits the orchestra for teaching him music, and discipline.

Alemayehu then established one of the first private bands in Ethiopia, Solecos Band.  He was a core singer for the band. The band was famous among schools in Addis Ababa, playing in graduations and school day events.

When the Derg Regime came to power, Alemayehu exiled to the United States of America. He started playing to the Ethiopian diaspora in Europe and America. It was then he released his early music on a serious of compilation of Compact Disc with a title of Buda Musique’s Ethiopiques. The 22 volumes of compact disc was entirely dedicated for his early songs with the Police Orchestra and Alem-Girma Band as well as the singles he released on his own in the early 1970s. After the release of the volumes, Alemayehu toured the United States and Europe.

Alemayehu has more than 380 records all together.

Personal Life
Alemayehu currently lives in Addis Ababa Ethiopia with his wife of 50 years. They have seven children together.

አለምአየሁ እሸቴ > አልተለየሽኝም | Alemayehu Eshete > Alteleyeshegnem

I always wanted to do a spiritual dance mash - up :D

YesOne - Ejigayehu Gigi Shibabaw  - Adwa x Jaimy - Mujer Ebria

Shifta Shakla - A rough mix of finds from Addis Abeba during a trip to Ethiopia in March 2011.

Yestesfa Tezeta – Tesfa Mariam Kidane (AMHA Records AE170)
Esqegizew Berchie – Alemayehu Eshete (AMHA Records AE770)
Teferoh Denknow – Hirut Bekele (Kaifa Records KF49)
Yasdestal – Mohamud Ahmed &amp; Venus Band (AMHA Records AE360)
Altegbabanim – Tilahun Gessesse &amp; Orchestra Rainbow (Philips PH269)
Wededkuh Maletish Layker – Getatchew Kassa &amp; Wallias (Philips PH237)
Tilagn Kobelelech – Getatchew Tessema (Philips PH176)
Tezetash Rekik – Ayalew Mesfin &amp; The Black Lion Band (Kaifa Records 8160)
Fikir Bezebezegn – Mahmoud Ahmed &amp; Imperial Body Guard (Philips PH149)

shifta shakla

From 1989, just vocal and kraar (Ethiopian lyre), and the first time - even after a long and successful career - that she recorded this classic Ethiopian 'blues'. I can remember the takes. There were a few, but we ended up using just one. This one. It was a good day.

Aster Aweke - Tizita

Ethiopian Insrumental HD

Aster Aweke -- Gerado HD

Aster Aweke -- Ateche Temelesku HD

Tewodros Tadesse --  Fikrun Aynfegen HD

This slow burner is the flip to the phenomenal 45 "Esqegizew Berchie" by Alemayehu Eshete released on the AMHA label (AE770). I picked up this coloured vinyl copy on a trip to Addis Ababa in March, 2011.

Alemayehu Eshete - Tedesteshal Woi (Ethiopia)

Alemayehu eshete & badume's band - yeweyn haregitu-feleqleqe

Ethiopian Best Instrumental Classical Music Non Stop Collection [6Ce07Wtrr - E]

"Shifta Shakla" is an Ethiopian Amharic phrase which loosely translates to "Bandit Vinyl." The music on this site is all recorded from vinyl records found on my travels to different corners of the world. Enjoy.

shifta shakla

Shifta Shakla*

Recent comments

rayraybear

Bethsabée

Bethsabée

rayraybear

Related tracks