In recent years I have been bewildered by the route Ethiopian music has taken. There have been a few bright lights here and there but those are the exception to the rule. The rule has been to market over produced and over synthesized music. And then, I came across Tommy T’s (Thomas Temesgen Gobena) CD called “The Prester John Sessions.”
It has to be said that the CD, anEasy Star Records release, is not entirely Ethiopian but also encompasses genres of funk, reggae and dub. The CD, which is on sale on iTunes right now, will be released Tuesday, November 10th. Tommy T, the bassist for the Gypsy-punk group Gogol Bordello is also the younger brother of bass extraordinaire, Henock Temesgen, who also collaborated with Tommy T. Although this is Tommy T’s first solo album, he is definitely not new to the music scene. Before joining Gogol Bordello, Tommy had been a well sought after studio and tour bassist in the Ethiopian music scene. In the past he has managed musicians such as Admas, Gigi and Wayna. In addition he ran his own label called C-Side Entertainment.
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The Brothers
Continue reading ‘TPJS’
Published by Ethio Jazz November 10th, 2009 in African, Music, Podcast and Shameless Plug.
If you know me, you know I love food. Yes I cook, but sometimes when you have a craving, it’s just that craving.
The Manhattan from BooyeMonger, a delicious sandwich filled with cooked spinach, bacon and hot Roast beef with a house dressing; the crust from a wood oven baked pizza at Pizza Paradiso; the noodles in Bangkok Joes; and Tibs at madget.
I love Thai food, and it’s the first thing that pops to mind whenever the sun sets and I am hungry. When I first moved to the current dwelling, I went for Sushi nearby and ended up with an almost perfect Chicken Drunken Noodle. Continue reading ‘The Drunken Foodie’
Published by Nolawi November 6th, 2009 in Family, Food and Open.
Ahem Ahem…
the latest bernos
Inspired by the music Grand Kalle et l’African Jazz, we are proud to bring you the bernos Afro Jazz, featuring African Jazz musician playing the Sax with African motif. Presenting bernos Afro Jazz concept in Silver American Apparel Shirt only $23.95.
As seen on K’naan’s : T.I.A video, this shirt is back by popular demand. Make sure that you get it before we sell out. Presenting the bernos Made in Africa II, now available in Navy Blue American Apparel Shirt only $22.95. Continue reading ‘this just in…’
Published by DawitK November 3rd, 2009 in African, Bernos and Noteworthy.
She called; I was in a building where reception was terrible. I picked up, as she had tried to contact me in other means regarding the juicy happenings of the weekend.
I could barely hear her; I told her I would call her in 2 minutes from downstairs. Two minutes later, she is not picking up. I went down the elevator, searched for a private location with better reception, all in 2 minutes and called her.
Annoyed! I let it go, as she is my friend but she really need to get some training in consideration.
There are those people that pick up the phone all the time, I love those guys! But it should also be understood that every phone call is not suppose to be picked up. Hence, the thing called voice mail. Continue reading ‘Celly Etiquette’
Published by Nolawi October 28th, 2009 in Advice and Thoughts.
At a New York tribute for the late great Miriam Makeba, I was lucky enough to be sitting in close proximity to my personal old man crush, Mr. Harry Belafonte (he may be old but he’s still hot) when this new artist hit the stage and performed one of my favorite Makeba hits, “Soweto Blues” and for some reason I wanted to see the reaction on Mr. Belafonte’s face as he heard this young beautiful woman’s tribute to Makeba’s Soweto Blues.
Would he be offended and feel like she didn’t do it justice? Or would he see in her what he saw in Miriam when he first heard her sing in London? Would he hear that rawness and beauty in her African voice? Continue reading ‘Loide’
Published by Bernos October 22nd, 2009 in African, Music, Personal and Podcast.
