Songs
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- country:Ethiopia
- region:Addis Ababa
- style(s):Afro, Jazz
- label:Muzikawi
- type:Band
- instrumentation:jazz combo
- artist contact:Selam Ethiopia / Muzikawi
Line up
- Giovanni Rico (Bass)
- Selam Woldemariam (Guitar)
Links
The legendary musical outfit The , later metamorphosed into , has played a central role in defining the sound of many of the greatest stars on the music scene of Ethiopia from the mid-seventies onwards–but their golden output has never really waned. The story of the origins of the band that provided the musical backbone for greats such as Aster Aweke, , , backing the solo career of group member as well as backing and many others has yet to be properly told.
The whole , with Giovanni Rico and Woldermarian at the creative helm, are arguably the origo of the vibrant scene in the mid-seventies, and the said pair are foremost responsible for not only navigating the band through troubled times, but also modernizing the 6/8 chickchicka rhythm to a contemporary form. Giovanni laid the rhythmic foundation with heavy looped basslines that reinvented traditional melodies as dance music, and with Selamino’s innovative guitar work they influenced scores of musicians from Abegaz Kibrework Shiota to Henock Temesgen. Even Giovanni’s Fender bass and Selamino’s Gibson guitar inspired younger musicians in their choice of instruments. Not only in choice of instruments but also in sound–even as the digital revolution hit Ethiopian music, a lot of popular music still took its cue from the masters from Ibex and Roha.
