Two glaring admissions! I have a soft heart for Maritu Legesse and I consider myself a close friend to Abiyou Solomon. So, if this review ends up sounding extremely biased, my apologies. My memory of Maritu goes back to the days of my youth when Maritu Legesse was one of the leaders of the then famous traditional group from Lalibela. The group shows were captivating. Other members included Zinet Muhaba, Tsehay Kassa and Tsehay Amare. In 1986, we saw Maritu as a member of the "People to People" troupe. The troupe consisted famous talents such as Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, Bizunesh Beqele, Mulatu Astatqe under the direction of Tesfaye Lemma. The main purpose of the troupe was to show on Ethiopia's thanks to the world for coming to her aid during the 1984-1985 famine.
"Yebati Nigist" is Maritu Legesse's first CD. It was arranged and produced by the talented bass player, Abiyou Solomon and released by Nahom Records. The first thing you notice when hearing this CD is the amazing backup vocals, contributed by Tsehay Kassa, Tsehay Amare, Neway Debebe, Wushnifir Argaw, Menale Dagnaw and Setegne Atenaw. Also included in the musical instrument lineup are Abiyou Solomon on bass, Berhane Kidane on keyboards, Setegn Atenaw on massinqo and Menale Dagnaw on kirar. "YeBati Nigist" also boasts original hand clapping and finger snapping repertoires in its sessions (these have been replicated by the synthesizer on other CD releases).
The kirar and massinqo adds beauty to the sound and I have to say that Setegn's performance on this CD is beyond stellar. Take a listen to his magic on "Ambassel." Maritu's vocals are extremely powerful and amazingly clear. Maritu covers the most famous traditional tunes such as Bati Bati, Ambassel, Arada, Tizita, Seqota, Shemonmunayewa and Wegene. She also does an excellent job in giving a peaceful twist to the war song, "Zerafewa." We're also invited to hear some of the tunes Maritu made famous while she was at Lalibela traditional troupe, songs such as Akale Woube, Belijigeye, Maleda Maleda, Woleba and Zomawa.
My only disappointment with the album is the addition of the drum machine. In this instance, the drum machine does not overwhelm the sound, which actually makes my disappointment somewhat muted.
At the release party for Maritu's CD, musicians such as Hailu Mergia(Walias), Tilaye Gebre(Dahlak & Walias), Michael Alazar(Walias), Telela Kebede (National Theatre) and artists such as Alem Tsehay Wedajo and Tamagne Beyene and over a hundred music lovers were present to lend their support. The turnout was a testament for their support and respect for Maritu Legesse.
I've included three tracks from the album in the Podcast. Enjoy!
Ethio Jazz,
Endeme senebetk…
I have the privilagde of meeting Maritu Legesse and talking to her about her musiqa, very nice proud old lady…
she did talk to me about hizb le hizb… i dont remember much.. at the time I thought she was just another traditional singer… but after listening to her I no she ain’t…
I never saw her perform live… but am familair with her music… I always thought it was a nice mixture of traditional and modern…
To me her style is very similar to that of Shambel Belayneh… I hear they perform together sometimes…
The massinqo, kirar, washint, Kebero and other wonderful Ethiopian musical instruments areunder apprciated this days…
A nice washint solo goes very well with modern music.. even the kebero… for that matter even the masinqo… heckk all of them..
One of my favorate songs of all time is the song by gigi… in which yeagrel lij… aho mamiye… i dont know what the tilte of the song is … but it features the kebero and washint… wow amazing..
I love watching setegn..play the masinqo… just so amazing as well…
so to digress… we DC people are so blessed that we can go to any bar and see the greats perform…
I am older than most of you guys here, but its nice to know we have similar taste in music. I must be young at heart.
I too have a soft heart for Maritu. The presence of the greats at the CD release is proof of her acheivements through a long career in music.
Thank You Ethio Jazz
I must admit this is the first time I’ve heard of this artist. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks.
Nolawi – You are right, those that live in the DC area are indeed blessed. Not only do you guys get to enjoy music performances, you guys also get to enjoy abesha comedy, plays etc. Whenever I visit, all I do is hang in the abesha’s areas, I get so excited!
I will be coming to the east side for Thanksgiving. Do you recommend a specific place or event (besides the art show) I should not miss? Thanks.
Thanks Ethio Jazz that was another great peace! Maritu’s Ambassel has such unexplainable effect on me whenever I hear it. BTW my Regards and respect to Neby.I know him from way back when he was struggling to become a musician while his parents were bent on him becoming an academic:)
thank you for ethio jazz for the nice review.
that be Bale washintu, nolawi. and yes, it is the best-est. i can listen to that song only, on repeat and LOUD, all day. washint, kebero… ye Gigi ergibgib voice are a source of pure high.
menew menew, Ethio Jazz what did we do to you?
When I saw that you wrote this article, I was expecting great music like the old days when you introduced us to golden era music.
These 3 songs are horrible! I can’t believe you guys actually like it.
Is it just me!!
Nolawi: You’re right-traditional Ethiopian Instruments are under appreciated. My hope is that albums such as this will drive the point that Contemporary Ethiopian music including the Golden Era music are based on the four traditional scales (kignit)
Weritu geritu: great to see a seasoned fan like myself.
Timo–you’ve asked the right person in Nolawi to guide you the current happenings in DC.
alem–thanks a bunch. As far as I am aware Abiyou had the support of his parents and family to pursue his love of music. I’ll ask hi about it in greater detail the next time I see him.
ShalomShalom: anytime and thans for your comment
teyetu: I’m sorry to dissapoint you. I’m also sorry you hate the songs I posted. The pieces on the Golden Era will continue. But teyetu, we musn’t just be stuck in that era, we have to find current releases that need to be acknowledged. I felt this CD deserved such recognition. There is no comparison to the old but I feel it exceeds in quality of most releases in recent times.
timo, email me to get details, i dont know that far ahead though..
Ethio, I think its teyyetu pergative not to like the song… I dont think it should be either or golden era vs now… but he/she just didn’t like the song… but i say good that he/she made us aware of is feelings…
its sometimes not in our culture to speak on a publicly negative comment… and i think its great….
shalom ya bale washintu… amazing song
Nolawi: Where in my comment did I say that teyetu did not have the right to express his/her feeling? He/she has every right to say what he/she felt about the songs or the CD in general.If you read it correctly, you would have understood that I was giving a reason why I wrote the review.
sorry ethio, i wrote it wrong, what i meant to say was that teyetu was not comparing vs golden era.. or is he?
xxxxxx
Do U have her music …which is about Minilik…..that is her best performance…would U please post it, in case U have it.
Thanks to the Association of Ethiopian Musicians in Notrh America, which made Maritu Legesse’s album possible from the get go. ‘Keep up the good work guys’.
I love Maritu’s voice…in fact..i would suggest that Aster Aweke is a
direct musical descendent of Maritu….Aster just stretchs her cadences
longer….
Abiy did a great job…..you should let him know….
How about one of you guys start a CD distrubtion company….that is all
Nahom Records is….all he has is the list of several Enjera Shops
across America…he pays 10,000 birr for a CD production in Ethiopia and
sells it for 60,000 $ in America…
It is a renewable pipelline of money….somebody should compete with
him..and hopefully you guys will have better support and appreciation for
artists
Jorga, really though the reproduction costs of duplicating CD’s has never been high ! the problem is and has always been the cost of producing the music.
to top it; the Ethiopian mainstream is not paying for their music. I don’t think Nahom records makes money on most (not all) of the albums it produces!
All these famous traditional songs has been played by various singers and arranged by diffrent arranger, we want diffrent kond of lyrics, melodies and arragngment. I’m over 40 yrs old but I want to see & hear diffrent tone of Ethiopian music, please take it as compliment and you guys played main role in our music do not forget that you have responsiblity to advance our music not to do mary go-around.
Sirak
Abba Jorga, Nolawi and Sirak–thanks for the comments. Really appreciate it.
Jorga, opening our own distribution company would be great but probably difficult to start it and sustain it. It’ll be interesting to see when and if a major competitor/s to Nahom Records arises. Will that create a change in the creativity of the current stagnant Ethio music scene? That remains to be seen. Jorga, keep it real and continue creating what you love the most.
Sirak, very interesting and heartfelt comment. Comments like this is what I look forward to. You’re absolutely right that the creative cycle has to move on and should not remain constant.
I am the person who but nahom in business. I did it because the owner was a very nice man. http://www.perfectcds.com I also own a commericial music producing and recording company. I have recorded and produced many famous american, Nigerian, Ethiopian, latin and much more http://www.mediarecording.com. If someone else wants to start a distrubution company they should email me. I have been owning and operating since 1983. Steve Young
i can’t stop listening to her CD.
there are white people who love her. like literally rave about her. it’s rare that ferendjochs appreciate traditional ethiopian music, though they do admire ethio jazz . thats the magic of music eko.
will she have a concert anytime soon?
I haven’t managed to get her CD yet but I listen to her Ambasel two ,three times a day from this site:) I know what you mean about ferenjoche raving about her. there is some distinct quality to her voice and the arrangement of the music as well. You are the best Maritu! hugnibet.
They just don’t make ‘em like that any more!!!!!! She is truly a one-of-a-kind!!!!
Come visit http://www.AddisTunes.com.
To your point Abba Jorga, we are an online distribution channel for ANY and ALL ETHIOPIAN MUSICIANS who want to sell downloads of their music!
AJ, we want to sell your music too! We host videos for FREE and ARTISTS EARN A (HIGH) PERCENTAGE OF EVERY SALE!!!!! For artists back in Addis, just imagine them earning USD for every sale rather than a small percentage of CD sales back in Addis (or abroad, if they are so lucky).
AddisTunes.com was created with the artists and consumers in mind! Come visit and visit often…
w: http://www.AddisTunes.com
e: info@AddisTunes.com
info@AddisTunes.com
@ Nolawi:
TRUE THAT!
SHE IS INDEED THE QUEEN OF BATI, LOVE HER ALL THE WAY TO WOLLOW.
..]other useful source of information on this subjectis ,www.bernos.org,..]
…so emotional. I love Maritu though I was kid when she was famous. I was wondering if anyone could tell me where she is now? Hope things are OK with her.
Whenever my heart goes back home, I prefer to listen her music.
I like her Music very much !!
i cant download Ambasel of maritu legese.
please can u send through my email
alemanchy@gmail.com
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