Ethiopia - From Church to Folk-music, to Government Orchestras and Independent Bands. A brief history of variation and development in Ethiopian music, recorded in between 1961-1980. 

01 * Orthodox Priests * Music from the Central Highlands / 12'' Tangent, 1970

02 * Nyabole, Hamar (South-Ethiopia) * Playing the Musical Bow /12'', 1970-76 

03 * Derashe Performers (South-Ethiopia) * Flutes, Steps, Meleket & Voice / Field Recording

04 * Axum Performers, Tigray (North-Ethiopia) * Wedding Ceremony / 12'' Tangent, 1970

05 * Gurage Performers, Butajira (Central-Ethiopia) * Dance Performance / 12'' Tangent, 1970

06 * Orchestra Ethiopia * 'Goraw' (War-encouragement song) / Ethiopiques Vol.23, early 70s

07 * Asellefech Mulat * 'Ante Ledj', Hagir Fikir Theater Group / From Reel, 1961

08 * Munaye Menberru * 'Tezeta' / 7'', mid 70s

09 * Menelik Wossenatchu * 'Aderetch Arada' * His Imperial Majesty Theater Band / 7'', early 70s

10 * Bezunesh Bekkele * 'Fikir Kesekesegn' * Imperial Body Guard Band / 7'', early 70s

11 * Hirut Bekkele * 'Zimam Nehwoy' * AA, Police Orchestra / 7'', 1971

12 * Singer & Title Unknown * Eastern Police Orchestra / from Reel, mid 70s

13 * Wegayehu Degennetu * Title Unknown * Harer Police Orchestra / from Reel, late 70s

14 * Zennebech Tesfaye * 'Wendemiye' * HIM Theater Band (Amhara Wedding Song) / from Reel

15 * Essatu Tesemma * 'Tchebo Aymollam' (Amhara Wedding Song) / 7'', 1970

16 * Popular Band Songs Mash-up *

17 * Ali Muhammed Birra * 'Awash' * Adu Birra Band (Oromo) / Ethiopiques Vol.28, 1975

18 * Ayalew Mesfin * 'Wegene' * Black Lion Band / 7'' 1975

19 * Telahun Gessesse * 'Sak' * Orchestra Ethiopia / 7'' 1976

20 * Traditional Group of National Theater * 'Wind of Revolution' (Communist song) / 12'' Russia, 1980

Ethiopian music mix made for Norwegian Radio Nova - Recordings from 1961 - 80

Our third mixtape is ready! A selection around Organic Tapes, a tape label based near Lyon (Grenoble) during the 80s & 90s. 

It was compiled after meeting Organic Tapes’ founder and honcho, Didier Gibelin, at his home during the fall of 2020. Organic Tapes was one of the main - and most interesting - DIY tape label in the South East of France during the 80s and 90s. Founded in 1986 by Didier Gibelin (whom was assisted by Dider, from Objection as well as other friends), it was based in Grenoble, a small city near Lyon. The label was very connected to the alternative music scenes in the region, as much as it was part of the mail art movement that spread through North-American and European independent/alternative music scenes. The label was an important actor of that cultural mouvement,  in France as much as abroad — as his “french and international” compilations, such as the Passion Organic series, proves it. 

The label issued tapes with music from Pol Silentblock (Alain Neffe), Hot Bip (Philippe Laurent), In Aeternam Vale, I Suonatori, Opera Multi Steel, No Unauthorized, Spinoza Sisters, Klimperei, X-Ray Pop, Nagamatzu, Circles, The Dead Goldfish Ensemble, Vox Populi!, De Fabriek, Pacific 231, Brume, Bene Gesserit, Palo Alto and many others… 

This mixtape was compiled thanks to Didier: he consciously kept all his archives — in which we combed widely though — and allowed us, by giving all his tape collection, to digitalize each tape and its artwork, as part of our interest in local and national sonic heritage. It contains tracks from musicians listed above — most of them are not listenable elsewhere. 

More/buy: https://www.discogs.com/Organic-Tapes-La-Mixtape/release/19558777

Graphic design by La Brigade Cynophile
Picture on cover: Dider Gibelin
Selected by Sofa Records/Sancho D.

Organic Tapes - La Mixtape (SRMXTP003)

To celebrate a special Zoukous night at Tanner in Helsinki on May 21, we offer a series of three mixes to add some tropical sunshine in your life:

"Welcome to Zoukous pt. 5.1" by Galactic Mace
"Welcome to Zoukous pt. 5.2" by Fredrik Lavik @afro7
"Welcome to Zoukous pt. 5.3" by Lil Tony @liltony

Art by Arsi Keva <3

Collect them all in your earbuds and come party with us!

"Welcome to Zoukous pt. 5.2" by Fredrik Lavik

FKR113
Miquela E Lei Chapacans
Miquela e Lei Chapacans

Released 14th October 2022

The first progressive girl group of the French Occitan language pop scene bring you folk funk, sun-baked bossa, Coltrane jazz and their own brand of punky “Dizco rural” against an untouched French Balearic backdrop spanning the late 70s and 80s.

If even the most assiduous of European record collectors consider the Occitan language music scene to be France’s best-kept secret then it’s as fair to say that the incredible multifaceted recordings of langue d’oc prog girl group Lei Chapacans has spent the last four decades hiding in plain sight. In all fairness this overlooked treasure chest of minority language excursions into folk funk, Balearic, bossa, John Coltrane penned jazz, baroque psych, Palestinian poetry, comedic synth skits (and even the rawest form of femme-fronted multiingual punky disco) has been stowed away in inconspicuous photographic record sleeves, falsely evoking something closer to contemporary C&W while oft-misplaced in record shop cassette racks alongside “traditional” spoken-word and scholastic albums. So for the uninitiated, don’t be too hard on yourself.  The fun starts here.  For those who are familiar with the rare and sought-after one-off solo album by Occitan singer Miquela and have craved for more, then you’ve come to exactly the right place. Lei Chapacans (a name that roughly translates to The Vagabonds) is the all-girl vocal group assembled by Miquela herself just two years after her debut release, having toured the word and snubbed major label record deal offers with a steadfast allegiance to the protection of the Occitan language in which this album is primarily penned and performed (minus a small amount of German and sarcastic English in one rebellious instance). For European collectors with a penchant for French savoir faire, but have further yearnings for folkloric femme funk, then it’s time to look towards the Occitan sunset where you will meet Lolo, Miquela, Sophie, Irena and Denise.

These amazing, and undeniably culturally important recordings might have taken some time to find a wider audience, but for music lovers, crate diggers and vinyl vultures alike there are still a lot of tasty morsels out there to be scavenged and devoured, ask any self-respecting Chapacan and they’ll concur wholeheartedly.

Miquela e Lei Chapacans

Dizco Rural

Miquela e Lei Chapacans - Dizco Rural

Anno Luz - Por Quê (04:55)

Single from the upcoming full length "Akaline Kidal"
Coming March 1st
https://tinyurl.com/akalinekidal

Ahmed Ag Kaedy - Imetawan

Out Now. Efficient Space assists Italian-American go-getter Joe Tossini in re-releasing his 1989 album Lady of Mine - a low budget, high romance testament to his unflinching charisma and the power of positive thinking.

Sicilian by birth, Tossini drifted around the world between Italy, Germany and Canada, before finally settling in New Jersey. After the passing of his mother and the breakdown of a second marriage, an anxious and depressed Tossini took to songwriting as a form of therapy, crafting disarmingly candid lyrics from his extraordinary life and loves. Befriending bandleader Peppino Lattanzi at local club The Rickshaw Inn, he was encouraged to animate his singular songs with an ambitious cast of 9 players and 5 backing vocalists, sincerely credited as his Friends.

Recently peaking interest as a cornerstone of the Sky Girl compilation, the private press now trades for inordinate sums, typically with no financial benefit to its creator. Lady Of Mine is finally reissued on the artist’s own terms via Joe Tossini Music (in partnership with Efficient Space), restored from original master tapes with unseen photos, extensive liner notes and Tossini’s trademark wisdom.

Lady of Mine is out now on LP, CD + selected digital > bit.ly/LadyOfMine

JOE TOSSINI AND FRIENDS - Lady of Mine (JMT001) OUT NOW

Sonor Music Editions proudly announces the first ever reissue of another Italian Library holy grail, fruit of the union between two of the most brilliant composers of Italian panorama: Alessandro Alessandroni and Rino De Filippi. "VACANZE" album (in English 'holidays'), was originally released in early/mid 70s on Sermi output, and is one of the most elusive records from the label out there. From refined Lounge music to stunning Jazz-Funk and groovy vibes, this album features an unbelievable set of the coolest themed music from the whole Library scene, with maestro Rino De Filippi's harpsichord on evidence in many tracks and soaring, loungy and dreamy moods throughout the entire album.

Released on 800 copies, out on March 2022.

VACANZE

Buy Vinyl LP

Alessandro Alessandroni / Rino de Filippi - VACANZE

Hama - Tagout (Remix)

In 1985, master accordionist and veteran bandleader, arranger and keyboardist released the Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument cassette. In a nostalgic effort to bring back the vintage accordion sound of his youth, Hailu gave Ethiopian music a sonic makeover. He was already celebrated for his work with the groundbreaking Addis Ababa ethio-jazz and funk outfit Walias Band. With imagination and a visionary sense of the self-contained possibilities of modern music, he captured the popular sounds of the past using the modern tools of the day. 

Hailu Mergia weaves Moog and DX7 synthesizers, Rhodes electric piano and rhythm machine into the rich harmonic layering of his accordion, creating hauntingly psychedelic, elegantly arranged instrumentals. These tunes draw from famous traditional and modern Ethiopian songs, as Hailu brilliantly matches lush Amhara, Tigrinya and Oromo melodies with otherworldly flavors soaked in jazz and blues, synthesizing a futuristic landscape. He balances Ethiopian music's signature melodic shape with beautiful analog synth touches, floating upon clouds of hypnotically minimal rhythm tracks. 

Hailu Mergia was born in Debre Birhan, Showa Province, Ethiopia in 1938 (1946 in the European calendar) to parents Tewabech Ezineh and Mergia Lulessa, who were of Amhara and Oromo ancestry, respectively. His mother took him to Aynemisa, close to Addis, where he grew up from age 3 until he was 10 when they moved to the capital Addis Ababa.

Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument: Shemonmuanaye

Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument – Shemonmuanaye

Taken from the forthcoming album "Poe".

Recorded over the course of March 2020 in Bandung and Amsterdam, ‘Poe’ is a collaboration between Jonny Nash and Teguh Permana, a renowned player of the Tarawangsa, a two-stringed instrument used in the sacred Tarawangsa music of Sunda, Indonesia.

Poe’, meaning ‘Days’ in Sundanese, is a meditation on death and rebirth as reflected in the passing of time and the changing of the seasons.

Teguh Permana & Jonny Nash - Daun

Record label and music publisher - The golden Italian Library, Soundtrack and groovy music, from past to present.

For licensing requests: info@sonormusiceditions.com

Alessandro Alessandroni / Rino de Filippi - VACANZE

Sonor Music Editions

Related tracks