THE EMPEROR - Deep Soul From Ethiopia
- Ere Mela Mela (Ere Mela Mela)
Songs like this have made Mohamoud Ahmed one of the greatest post-war singers in Ethiopia. This is probably his biggest hit, both in Ethiopia and abroad.
- Ya Selame Lalo (Live In
Paris)
When this irresistible shuffle was recorded in Paris, at
least the Ethiopian fans jumped around and danced the eskeusta, the ecstatic
shoulder-movement.
- Wey Fikir - Your Love
(Live in Paris)
This song
uses the trick of following a slow first half with an uptempo second half to
great effect.
- Tezita Garedew (Live In Paris)
Melting soul ballad mentioning 'tezita', the keyword
in Ethiopian culture. It means 'melancholia, longing',
and is equivalent of saudade, duende, blues.
- Bey Terigne - Call Me (Soul of
Addis)
This love song has Mohamoud singing
from his toes again. One can hear that he learned the trade in the Haile
Selassi's Imperial Bodyguard Band, back in the sixties.
- Yasdestal - Transported with joy
(Almaz)
First single Mahmoud Ahmed recorded, in december 1971. This
music, played by the Venus Band, is more outrageously orchestrated than
Ahmed's later work.
- Tezita (Live in
Paris)
The alternative national anthem of Ethiopia. Not the best
version, but this concert recording demonstrates the way Mohamoud performs
these days: no more expensive bands but a trio with synthesizer and rhythm
box.
- Abet (Soul Of Addis)
Shake
your shoulders to this one. Ethiopian dance classic in the funky
Guragina-style that is Mohamoud's specialty.
- Titesh - Never Mind (Soul of
Addis)
They say Ethiopian singers express feelings their audiences
are too shy to air. This one says "Never mind".
- Selam (Soul Of
Addis)
During his schooldays in Gulage, moonlighting as a
shoeshine boy, Mohamoud was already singing along to the Ethiopian songs
blasting from the radio's in the cafe's and fantasizing about Addis.
- Ambassel (Almaz)
Beautiful jazzy version of the
evergreen Ambassel, with a nice flute solo.
All songs are full versions, in glorious hi-fi Real Audio. For reasons of sound
quality I've only included songs that are available on CD.
More great music on The Groove Site.
To listen to this Greatest Hits compilation as a whole click here.