Éthiopiques
Éthiopiques is a series of compact discs featuring Ethiopian and Eritrean singers and musicians. Many of the CDs compile various singles and albums that Amha Records, Kaifa Records and Philips-Ethiopia released during the 1960s and 1970s in Ethiopia. Prominent singers and musicians from this era appearing on Éthiopiques releases include Alemayehu Eshete, Asnaketch Worku, Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatke and Tilahun Gessesse. However, some other releases contain new recordings.
Overview
The Paris-based world music record label Buda Musique began the Éthiopiques series in 1997 and initially compiled Ethiopian popular music releases from the 1960s and 1970s. Some of the subsequent CDs focus on traditional music, while others highlight individual musicians or specific styles. As of 2010, there have been 27 releases. None of the CDs feature modern-day synthesizer-based Ethiopian pop music. Francis Falceto is the producer of the series.
Some songs from Éthiopiques Volume 4 were featured in the Jim Jarmusch film Broken Flowers.
In a 2012 interview, Getachew Mekurya noted that Falceto is largely responsible for the international popularization of Ethiopian music, and that Ethiopiques had directly led to more opportunities and international success for Mekurya.[1] At the same time, Mekurya claimed that Falceto underpaid him and other Ethiopian musicians, and that Buda Musique retained the copyrights to most of the music.[1] He further alleged that these business practices had infuriated Mulatu Astatke.[1]
In defense Francis Falceto stated that "...most sad and embarrassing remains the maliciousness of a couple of unfair people who have been benefiting incredibly from éthiopiques, in terms of fame but also of royalties and concerts booking, but who give forth endless and sick accusations and ignominious lies – almost nothing, so to say, with regard to their dishonor".[2]
Discography
- (1998) Éthiopiques Volume 1: The Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music, various artists
- (1998) Éthiopiques Volume 2: Tètchawèt! Urban Azmaris of the 90s, various artists
- (1998) Éthiopiques Volume 3: Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music, various artists
- (1998) Éthiopiques Volume 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969–1974, Mulatu Astatke
- (1999) Éthiopiques Volume 5: Tigrigna Music, various artists
- (1999) Éthiopiques Volume 6: Almaz, Mahmoud Ahmed
- (1999) Éthiopiques Volume 7: Ere Mela Mela, Mahmoud Ahmed
- (2000) Éthiopiques Volume 8: Swinging Addis, various artists
- (2001) Éthiopiques Volume 9, Alemayehu Eshete
- (2002) Éthiopiques Volume 10: Tezeta - Ethiopian Blues & Ballads, various artists
- (2002) Éthiopiques Volume 11: The Harp of King David, Alemu Aga
- (2003) Éthiopiques Volume 12: Konso Music and Songs, various artists
- (2003) Éthiopiques Volume 13: Ethiopian Groove, various artists
- (2003) Éthiopiques Volume 14: Negus of Ethiopian Sax, Getachew Mekurya
- (2003) Éthiopiques Volume 15: Jump to Addis, various artists
- (2004) Éthiopiques Volume 16: The Lady with the Krar, Asnaketch Worku
- (2004) Éthiopiques Volume 17, Tilahun Gessesse
- (2004) Éthiopiques Volume 18: Asguèbba! various artists
- (2005) Éthiopiques Volume 19: Alemye, Mahmoud Ahmed
- (2005) Éthiopiques Volume 20: Live in Addis, Either/Orchestra with Mulatu Astatke, Getachew Mekurya, Tsedenia G. Markos, Bahta Hewet, Michael Belayneh
- (2006) Éthiopiques Volume 21: Ethiopia Song, Emahoy Tsegue-Mariam Gebrou
- (2007) Éthiogroove (DVD): Mahmoud Ahmed & Either/Orchestra, with Tsedenia G. Markos
- (2007) Éthiopiques Volume 22: Alèmayèhu Eshèté, featuring Girma Bèyènè
- (2007) Éthiopiques Volume 23: Orchestra Ethiopia
- (2007) The Very Best of Éthiopiques: Hypnotic Grooves from the Legendary Series
- (2009) Éthiopiques Volume 24: Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music 1969–1975
- (2009) Éthiopiques Volume 25: Modern Roots 1971–1975
- (2010) Éthiopiques Volume 26: Mahmoud Ahmed & His Imperial Bodyguard Band 1972-74
- (2010) Éthiopiques Volume 27: Centennial of the First Ethiopian Recordings, Tèssèma Eshèté 1910
- (2011) The Very Best of Éthiopiques: Cult Hits from the Original Series
- (2013) Éthiopiques Volume 28: Great Oromo Music, Ali Mohammed Birra
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Tibebeselassie Tigabu (2012-01-28). "The king of sax shining on the world stage". Ethiopian Reporter. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
- ↑ Tadias Staff (2012-05-18). "How Ethiopian Music Went Global: Interview with Francis Falceto". Tadias. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
External links
- Buda Musique Ethiopiques web site
- Radio interview with Francis Falceto from National Public Radio Weekend Edition Sunday program, July 16, 2006