Ethiopia’s musical system has evolved over thousands of years and its music is some of the most distinctive in the world – the use of the characteristic qañat (five-note scales) immediately mark a piece as Ethiopian.
This unique musical culture is treasured by Ethiopians, who retain this sound even when mixing in international influences, thus creating the famed ‘Ethiogroove’. From the jazz, soul and funk of 60s and 70s Addis Ababa to hip-hop, reggae and heavy metal of the 21st century, the Ethiopian sound shines through.
This playlist aims to represent a range of Ethiogroove across three categories: the classic early recordings from the Swinging Addis era; the sounds of modern Ethiopia; and Ethiogroove as it exists outside of its motherland.
'Track title' – Artist (Album)
- 'Shellèla Bèsaxophone' – Getatchew Mekurya (Éthiopiques, Vol. 14: Getatchèw Mèkurya)
- 'Ametballe' – Bole 2 Harlem (Bole 2 Harlem, Vol. 1)
- 'Mètché Dershé (When Am I Going to Reach There)' – Mulatu Astatke (Éthiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale (1969-1974))
- 'Min Alu' – Kuku Sebsebe (Tinish Geze Sitegn)
- 'Eré Mela Mela' – Mahmoud Ahmed (Éthiopiques, Vol. 7: Mahmoud Ahmed (1975))
- 'How To Save a Life (Vector of Eternity)' – Mikael Seifu (Zelalem EP)
- 'Siberber' – Shewandagne Hailu (Sitotash)
- 'Migoten Manyawkal' – Bezunesh Bekele (Bezunesh Bekele Greatest Hits (Ethiopian Contemporary Oldies Music))
- 'Habdahlak' – Teddy Afro (Yasteseryal)
- 'Ayrak' – Jano (Ertale)
- 'Dewel' – Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics (Inspiration Information 3)
- 'If That Is What You Want (Melkam Keholnelich)' – Invisible System (Punt (Made in Ethiopia))
- 'Man Yawqal Yebeten' – Hirut Bekele (Éthiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music (1969-1975))
- 'Ambassel' – Dub Colossus (A Town Called Addis)
- 'Sebebu' – Aster Aweke (Aster)
- 'Tezeta' – Seyfu Yohannes (Éthiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music (1969-1975))
- 'Qen Sew (For My Father)' – Ethiopian Records (Qen Sew EP)
- 'Sema' – Tlahoun Gessesse (Éthiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music (1969-1975))
- 'Gud Fella' – Gigi (Gigi)
- 'Nanu Ney' – Ester Rada (Ester Rada)
- 'Che Belew Shellela' – Getachew Mekurya & The Ex (Moa Anbessa)