An Ethiopian Pearl

I suspect Mahmoud Ahmed needs no introduction here - he's arguably Ethiopia's best-known musician thanks to his momentous recording Era Mela Mela and other classics. He continues to tour internationally and record music at a prolific rate. Previously I posted his 1992 cassette Live in Addis Ababa. Here's Tezzetta Enqu (Ethio Music Shop), another one from 1991 or 1992. Although the cassette states 1984 as the issue date, I believe that is according to the Ethiopian calendar.

Andreas Wetter of Humboldt University in Berlin has very kindly transliterated the Ge'ez liner notes for us. Andreas writes, ". . . I tried to translate them but some of the translations may be too literal, i.e. there may be meanings or readings I am not aware of. But you can't find these things in dictionaries. I once started to translate a list of old song titles with an Ethiopian friend and it became quickly apparent that many of the translations are quite tricky. . ." Andreas translates the title of the cassette as "Tizzita - The Pearl" or "Jewel," and further writes, ". . . Tizzita is one of the four tuning styles of Amharic music, and, by the way, the most used one in modern popular music. Mahmud Ahmed is said to be one of the best interpreters of this type of song. "

As usual, I've included the original inlay card at the bottom of this post.

"She Has It:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Allat Nägär

"Oh Her Tears:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Erri Embwa

"Appearing Abruptly:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Zäww Zäww

"Let Me Live With It:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Lenurebbät

"Kochämbi Kärsädi/Alämäna" is in two different Gurage languages, Soddo and Säbat Bet (Mahmoud Ahmed is a Gurage), and Andreas was unable to translate it:

Mahmoud Ahmed - Kochämbi Kärsädi (Soddo)/Alämäna (Säbat Bet)

"Come (down) From the Highlands:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Näy Kädägaw

"How Should I Forget Her:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Endet Lersat

"Come (to a woman) on a Horse:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Näy Bäfäräs

"Who Can it Be?:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Man Yehon

"It (or he) Was:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Näbbär

You can download Tezzetta Enqu as a zipped file here.

Afrikan Boy at Rich Mix - Free gig 3 March

vinspired Lake of Stars Festival presents Afrikan Boy, with live acoustic support from Valentina, and DJ set from Ross Allen (Ministry of Sound Radio, The Meltdown)

**********************************************************
///// BREAKING NEWS: very special guest SINDEN, DJ and producer extraordinaire, now confirmed! /////
**********************************************************

We are very excited to announce that the incredible Afrobeat/grime MC Afrikan Boy will be gracing our stage to perform at the Rich Mix on March 3rd 2010 at this amazing FREE event.

Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Valentina will be playing a stunning live acoustic set in support, and the night will also showcase one of the hottest DJs around with a set from Ministry of Sound Radio's very own Ross Allen.

We all know that this is a party not to be missed ... but in case you still need a bit of convincing, check out the buzz ...

AFRIKAN BOY

Originally from Nigeria, Afrikan Boy, aka 20-year-old Shola Ajose, hails from South London, and has been making his name on the grime/Afrobeat scene as a fusion MC from the age of 16. Shola opened for Prince’s back to back shows at London’s O2 in 2007, as well as touring with the likes of M.I.A. Afrikan Boy also appears on a remix of M.IA.’s hit single Paper Planes, and collaborated on her 2007 album Kala.

Afrikan Boy released his first official music video for Lagos Town in January 2010 to huge acclaim. He is currently in the studio recording a hotly anticipated debut album, 1444 Musik, building on the success of tracks from his mixtape, Can of Whoopass, Vol. 1: The Rise of Captain Africa.

http://www.myspace.com/afrikanboy

VALENTINA

Valentina fuses the lyricism and melodies of a young Carol King with a modern view of life, love and the world. Valentina tells how it is to be young and in/out of love, set against a backdrop that hints at the past but looks to the future for inspiration and sounds. Her music is classic... that voice, pianos, guitars and dulcimers all aid Valentina in what she has to say – and that is alot.

Some people once said:

"Valentina comes with songs that shimmer. She may be singing about relationships on the verge of failing, but her style is deceptively light and engaging, just daring you to smile before you're hit with the sting in the tail"

"Valentina Somehow sounds both young and full of wisdom at once. Her songs have a gorgeous simplicity, pleasant arrangements over a very capable voice.
I'd say Valentina's a racing certainty for 2010 fame"

http://www.myspace.com/valentinamusic

ROSS ALLEN

Sony Radio Award winning Ross Allen is a man of many talents, and one of London’s most well known faces on the music scene with more fingers in pies than Frank Butcher.

Since starting as a DJ in the 80’s playing Acid House, Rare Groove and Soul, Ross has shaken every type of dance floor from New Cross to New Jersey, from Tottenham to Tennessee the World over. He is not only the musical brains behind Cargo-backed Casual Records, but also A&R consultant for Island Records and Ninja Tune. He hosts his own night - The Meltdown - at The CAMP in Shoreditch with Raf Daddy and also finds the time to host radio shows for BBC 6 music, cover for Gilles Peterson on Radio 1, write a column for UK music press and get nifty behind the decks on a regular basis.

Ross hosts his award winning show The Meltdown each and every Monday on Ministry of Sound Radio where he drops his mixed soulful bag of reggae, house, techno, R&B, hip hop and drum n' bass. Expect the full spectrum of global music old and new from this truly legendary bastian of awesome sounds. If it’s good, he’ll play it, attracting a broad spectrum of fans such as Laurent Garnier, Fabio and Matthew Herbert.

http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/artist/RossAllen

SINDEN

Sinden is the London producer/DJ best known for his wide-ranging sets that include everything from Baltimore club, baile funk and hip hop to RnB/soul, dancehall, house/electro, Miami bass and grime.

Sinden has released one solo 12" 'Sinden EP' but has carved out a name as a remixer, rejigging everyone from Basement Jaxx and Mary J Blige to Plan B and Bonde Do Role. He's also known for his collaborations and remixes with Jesse Rose, Herve aka Count of Monte Cristal, and Dave "Switch" Taylor as A.Brucker & Sinden.

Taylor and Sinden also run the label Counterfeet and program 'Get Familiar' in the main room of Fabric, London every other month.

http://www.myspace.com/graemesinden

Afrikan Boy at Rich Mix - Free gig 3 March

vinspired Lake of Stars Festival presents Afrikan Boy, with live acoustic support from Valentina, and DJ set from Ross Allen (Ministry of Sound Radio, The Meltdown)

**********************************************************
///// BREAKING NEWS: very special guest SINDEN, DJ and producer extraordinaire, now confirmed! /////
**********************************************************

We are very excited to announce that the incredible Afrobeat/grime MC Afrikan Boy will be gracing our stage to perform at the Rich Mix on March 3rd 2010 at this amazing FREE event.

Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Valentina will be playing a stunning live acoustic set in support, and the night will also showcase one of the hottest DJs around with a set from Ministry of Sound Radio's very own Ross Allen.

We all know that this is a party not to be missed ... but in case you still need a bit of convincing, check out the buzz ...

AFRIKAN BOY

Originally from Nigeria, Afrikan Boy, aka 20-year-old Shola Ajose, hails from South London, and has been making his name on the grime/Afrobeat scene as a fusion MC from the age of 16. Shola opened for Prince’s back to back shows at London’s O2 in 2007, as well as touring with the likes of M.I.A. Afrikan Boy also appears on a remix of M.IA.’s hit single Paper Planes, and collaborated on her 2007 album Kala.

Afrikan Boy released his first official music video for Lagos Town in January 2010 to huge acclaim. He is currently in the studio recording a hotly anticipated debut album, 1444 Musik, building on the success of tracks from his mixtape, Can of Whoopass, Vol. 1: The Rise of Captain Africa.

http://www.myspace.com/afrikanboy

VALENTINA

Valentina fuses the lyricism and melodies of a young Carol King with a modern view of life, love and the world. Valentina tells how it is to be young and in/out of love, set against a backdrop that hints at the past but looks to the future for inspiration and sounds. Her music is classic... that voice, pianos, guitars and dulcimers all aid Valentina in what she has to say – and that is alot.

Some people once said:

"Valentina comes with songs that shimmer. She may be singing about relationships on the verge of failing, but her style is deceptively light and engaging, just daring you to smile before you're hit with the sting in the tail"

"Valentina Somehow sounds both young and full of wisdom at once. Her songs have a gorgeous simplicity, pleasant arrangements over a very capable voice.
I'd say Valentina's a racing certainty for 2010 fame"

http://www.myspace.com/valentinamusic

ROSS ALLEN

Sony Radio Award winning Ross Allen is a man of many talents, and one of London’s most well known faces on the music scene with more fingers in pies than Frank Butcher.

Since starting as a DJ in the 80’s playing Acid House, Rare Groove and Soul, Ross has shaken every type of dance floor from New Cross to New Jersey, from Tottenham to Tennessee the World over. He is not only the musical brains behind Cargo-backed Casual Records, but also A&R consultant for Island Records and Ninja Tune. He hosts his own night - The Meltdown - at The CAMP in Shoreditch with Raf Daddy and also finds the time to host radio shows for BBC 6 music, cover for Gilles Peterson on Radio 1, write a column for UK music press and get nifty behind the decks on a regular basis.

Ross hosts his award winning show The Meltdown each and every Monday on Ministry of Sound Radio where he drops his mixed soulful bag of reggae, house, techno, R&B, hip hop and drum n' bass. Expect the full spectrum of global music old and new from this truly legendary bastian of awesome sounds. If it’s good, he’ll play it, attracting a broad spectrum of fans such as Laurent Garnier, Fabio and Matthew Herbert.

http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/artist/RossAllen

SINDEN

Sinden is the London producer/DJ best known for his wide-ranging sets that include everything from Baltimore club, baile funk and hip hop to RnB/soul, dancehall, house/electro, Miami bass and grime.

Sinden has released one solo 12" 'Sinden EP' but has carved out a name as a remixer, rejigging everyone from Basement Jaxx and Mary J Blige to Plan B and Bonde Do Role. He's also known for his collaborations and remixes with Jesse Rose, Herve aka Count of Monte Cristal, and Dave "Switch" Taylor as A.Brucker & Sinden.

Taylor and Sinden also run the label Counterfeet and program 'Get Familiar' in the main room of Fabric, London every other month.

http://www.myspace.com/graemesinden

Vinspired's Lake of Stars: Andreya Triana

A monthly music evening kicked off in Shoreditch as the people from Vinspired's Lake of Stars welcomed Ninja Tune's Andreya Triana and Nick Mulvey to Rich Mix Arts Centre.

Nick Mulvey, one quarter of the Portico Quarter, performed at the Lake of Stars Festival back in 2008. He played a brilliant acoustic set, inspired by his love to African music.

I knew what to expect from Andreya, I saw her perform at the Reason To Be Cheerful music evening in Old Street. Her voice was beautiful and she always bring something new for the audience.

Both musicians kindly spent time with some of the volunteers from Headliners that night, answering questions which they prepared especially for this evening. You can read their full article here

Some African influenced arts and fashion were on display that night. Most noticeably AfroArts, selling fair trade African paintings from Malawi and MIA by Mia Nisbet - a fashion designer "fuses recycled fabrics and traditional Malawian textiles to produce a collection that combines richness of Africa with Western styling."

Rich Mix will be holding these music events every first Wednesday of each month. For more information go to the Vinspired's Lake of Stars website.

Words and Photography by Dwiko Arie Nugroho of DwikoArie Photography 

Vinspired's Lake of Stars: Andreya Triana

A monthly music evening kicked off in Shoreditch as the people from Vinspired's Lake of Stars welcomed Ninja Tune's Andreya Triana and Nick Mulvey to Rich Mix Arts Centre.

Nick Mulvey, one quarter of the Portico Quarter, performed at the Lake of Stars Festival back in 2008. He played a brilliant acoustic set, inspired by his love to African music.

I knew what to expect from Andreya, I saw her perform at the Reason To Be Cheerful music evening in Old Street. Her voice was beautiful and she always bring something new for the audience.

Both musicians kindly spent time with some of the volunteers from Headliners that night, answering questions which they prepared especially for this evening. You can read their full article here

Some African influenced arts and fashion were on display that night. Most noticeably AfroArts, selling fair trade African paintings from Malawi and MIA by Mia Nisbet - a fashion designer "fuses recycled fabrics and traditional Malawian textiles to produce a collection that combines richness of Africa with Western styling."

Rich Mix will be holding these music events every first Wednesday of each month. For more information go to the Vinspired's Lake of Stars website.

Words and Photography by Dwiko Arie Nugroho of DwikoArie Photography 

Lovers' Soukous for Soukous Lovers

It's no secret I'm not thrilled about some of the Congo music that's been coming out lately, particularly from the Paris-based bunch. For those of us who got to know it in the '70s and '80s, "soukous" is synonymous with the mellow, hot-yet-cool sounds popularized by the great Franco and Rochereau, Kosmos Moutouari, Pamelo Mounk'a, and of course, Lipua-Lipua and its many offshoots. That was real cuisine. The new stuff? Well, it's just fast food.

Of this crew guitarist/composer Papa Noël has always held a special place in my heart, although he's labored in the shadows of better-known musicians for many years. Born Antoine Nedule Montswet in 1940 in Leopoldville (today Kinshasa), he was nicknamed "Noël," having taken his first breath on Christmas Day.

In 1957 Noël made his first record (backing Léon Bukasa) and joined the group Rock-a-Mambo, which crossed the river in 1960 to the newly-independent French Congo and became Orchestre Bantou (later Bantous de la Capitale), a major force in Congo music for decades. In 1963 he returned to Leopoldville, and was soon asked by the great bandleader Kabaselle to join his Orchestre African Jazz. Here he played for five years, leaving to lead his own Orchestre Bamboula for a few years, and then to play with a succession of combos. In 1978, Papa Noël was asked by Franco to join his Orchestre Tout Poussaint OK Jazz, where he stayed until the great man's death in 1989 (it was as a member of OK Jazz that Noël was jailed for 22 days in 1978 as punishment for Franco's notoriously filthy song "Jacky," a recording in which, ironically, he played no role).

During the years that Papa Noël toiled as a "musician's musician" in other people's projects, lending them his soft-spoken elegance and masterful guitar work, he occasionally made solo recordings to great acclaim. Two of these were Bon Samaritain (1984) and Haute Tension (1994), tracks from which are available on the CD Bel Ami (Sterns SDCD 3016, 2000).

In 1999 the family and I had the pleasure of hearing and meeting Papa Noël when he performed in Milwaukee as part of the backup group for Sam Mangwana, who had just released his CD Galo Negro and was touring the U.S. to promote it. Although Mangwana was the "star" of the show, these two great musicians were definitely co-equals in our eyes. I could tell Noël was pleased to have been recognized in his own right, and he seemed touched that I had brought two of his hard-to-find LPs for him to autograph. Here we are below:



Papa Noël's Allegria (Editions Provil PV 015, ca. 1987) is one of those "desert island" recordings, a masterpiece that I rank, along with Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's Zombie, Kiné Lam's Galass, and Kuku Sebesebe's Munaye, one of the ten greatest African recordings of all time. See if you don't agree:

Papa Noël - Allegria

Papa Noël - Sem-Sem

Papa Noël - Nzoto Pasi

Papa Noël - Sante Pepele

Download Allegria as a zipped file here. Much of the information in this post was mined from Ken Braun's very informative liner notes for Bel Ami.

A Heads Up

A big "thank you" to Zim Bida, who tipped me off to this great mix of classic Nigerian highlife (and one track from Ghana's Professional Uhuru Dance Band) from the Washington City Paper here. It's awfully tasty! The tracklisting:

1. Easy Life Dandies – “Oko Dotunla”
2. Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors – “Gboli We”
3. The Magnificent Zeinians – “Ngozi Chukwu Ka”
4. Oriental Brothers International – “Ihe-Che-Nyerem”
5. Anyamel & His Okuato Band – “Uwa Ka Njo”
6. Eastern Minstrels Guitar Band – “Akwa Onwu”
7. Celestine Obiakor & His Entertainment Group – “Echendu Nwa Eze”
8. Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors – “Mini Gown”
9. Eastern Minstrels Guitar Band – “Ogbu Nwa Ya Ogu Agarala Ya”
10. Easy Life Dandies – “Gbami Gbami Baba Gbogbo Oni”
11. Anyamel & His Okuato Band – “Jumbo Kedi Nnegi”
12. Professional Uhuru Dance Band – “Ewu Ngyadze”
13. Eastern Minstrels Guitar Band – “Aka Kpara Ngaji Uregbue Onu”
14. Celestine Obiakor & His Entertainment Group – “Piter Mighasi Nma Na Obo”
15. Cardinal Rex Lawson & His Majors Band of Nigeria – “Abasi Ye Enye”
16. Oriental Brothers International – “Uwa-Atualamujo”
17. Eastern Minstrels Guitar Band – “Echehula Nwa Nne Gi”
18. Easy Life Dandies – “Iyawo Madale”
19. The Magnificent Zeinians – “Good Luck To You My Girl”

Denise Moore and Then Some: A Jazz History

Cafe Kili Jazz Nite

This Monday February 8th, starts the first of the Cafe Kili Jam Sessions at Cafe Kili 5731 E. Fowler Ave. from 7:00 - 9:00pm. It will continue for the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month. The jam session is hosted by Trumpeter and Jazz ambassador Dwayne white and will feature some of the Tampa Bay area's finest jazz musicians in a relaxed atmosphere. Come on out and enjoy some great music and great coffee. It should prove to be a great hang!

FREE LIVE MUSIC WITH NINJA TUNE'S ANDREYA TRIANA & NICK MULVEY (PORTICO QUARTET): LONDON, WED 3RD FEB

First of our free live music nights at the Rich Mix arts centre this Wednesday from 6pm. Come catch rising star Andreya Triana performing an exclusive acoustic set, plus support from the fantastic Nick Mulvey (from Mercury Prize nominees Portico Quartet). We have DJ sets from First World Records and Hang the DJ crew, plus market stalls from Malawian fashion label MIA Fashion, and Brazilian charity Bottletop.


Andreya

The Rich Mix venue is also running a stunning Cuban photography exhibition plus it's Orange Wednesdays so get cinema tickets 2-4-1 and watch: Edge of Darkness, A Prophet, Sherlock Holmes or The Road.

If you're coming from work you can get great food for under a fiver from the cafe and there's 2-4-1 on selected drinks at the bar.

So we have it all - food/drink/film/music/photography/fashion. The hibernation ends here - hit us back for guaranteed entry: will@lakeofstars.org

Night starts 6pm with live music from 8pm.



Rich Mix
35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road
London
E1 6LA
Google Map

FREE LIVE MUSIC WITH NINJA TUNE'S ANDREYA TRIANA & NICK MULVEY (PORTICO QUARTET): LONDON, WED 3RD FEB

First of our free live music nights at the Rich Mix arts centre this Wednesday from 6pm. Come catch rising star Andreya Triana performing an exclusive acoustic set, plus support from the fantastic Nick Mulvey (from Mercury Prize nominees Portico Quartet). We have DJ sets from First World Records and Hang the DJ crew, plus market stalls from Malawian fashion label MIA Fashion, and Brazilian charity Bottletop.


Andreya

The Rich Mix venue is also running a stunning Cuban photography exhibition plus it's Orange Wednesdays so get cinema tickets 2-4-1 and watch: Edge of Darkness, A Prophet, Sherlock Holmes or The Road.

If you're coming from work you can get great food for under a fiver from the cafe and there's 2-4-1 on selected drinks at the bar.

So we have it all - food/drink/film/music/photography/fashion. The hibernation ends here - hit us back for guaranteed entry: will@lakeofstars.org

Night starts 6pm with live music from 8pm.



Rich Mix
35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road
London
E1 6LA
Google Map