PART II (continued from Part I)
Soul Ekos Band
Soul Ekos with producer Amha Eshete (late 1960’s) Left to Right-Alula Yohannes, Tesfaye “Hodo” Mekonnen, Tamrat Ferenji, Amha Eshete, Teshome Mitiku, Feqade Amdemesqel & Tewodros Mitiku.
Before they named themselve “Soul Ekos”, the Soul Eko’s were first known as the Zula Band, named after the Zula Club they played at. The Zula Club was owned and operated by an Eritrean, Tekle “Eisenhower” Gebremichael (1937-1998). When the Zula Band stopped playing at the Zula Club they changed their name to the Vibrations, before changing it one more time to Soul Ekos. The band was comprised of Teshome Mitiku (Keyboards/Vocals), later Messele Gesesse took over the Keyboards, Tewodros Mitiku (Saxophone), Tamrat Ferenji (Trumpet), Fekade Amdemesqel later Hailu “Zehon” Kebede (Bass), Tesfaye “Hodo” Mekonnen (Drums), Alula Yohannes later Andrew Wilson (Guitar) and Seyfu Yohannes (Vocals).
The Soul Ekos were the first independent band to be recorded. When Mulatu Astatqe returned from the United States in 1968, the two bands he had an opportunity to work with were the Ras Band and Soul Ekos. It was during this time that Mulatu introduced the Soul Ekos band to Amha Eshete (a piece will be dedicated to this giant, the first independent producer and another well known producer Ali “Tango” Kaifa). Amha Eshete was taken by the bands sound and agreed to record them in 1969. The Soul Ekos arranged and played the music to Seyfu Yohannes’ popular songs, Tizita and Mela Mela. Under their other lead vocalist Teshome Mitiku they recorded 4 songs on vinyl (Shekla). These songs were:
Gara Ser Naw Betesh-(lyrics by Teshome Mitiku, arranged by Mulatu Astatqe)
Hasabe (lyrics by Teshome Mitiku, music and arrangements by Mulatu Astatqe)
Mot Adeladlogn (lyrics by Teshome Mitiku, arranged by Mulatu Astatqe)
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The above four songs plus Seyfu Yohannes’ Tizita and Mela Mela were released on Ethiopiques 1
Teshome Mitiku and older brother Tewodros started their music studies at Haile Selassie First Day School, later known as Kokebe Tsebeha. Teshome learnt the drums, trumpet, clarinet and violin under Danish music teacher Paul Bank Hansen. When Hansen returned to Denmark, he was replaced by two Ethiopian instructors, Getaneh Tadesse and Mamo Demissie. The school had one of the best marching bands and orchestra at the time. Other students included Tamerat Ferenji (Trumpet), Tesfaye “Hodo” Mekonnen (Drums), Tamerat “Lotti” Kebede (Drums), and Tekle Yohannes Zeke (Trumpet), and Moges Habte (Saxaphone), who went on to form The Walias Band. In 1969, after performing Fano Tesemara( Fano Fano, Fano Tesemara ende Ho Chi Minh ende Che Guevara…) at the Haile Selassie University, Teshome Mitiku was imprisoned for three days. The harrasement by the police didn’t stop. His brother, Tewodros, persuaded Teshome to leave Ethiopia. In 1970 Teshome left first to Denmark and on to Sweden. While in Sewden he got his masters in Clinincal Psychology. Teshome now lives in the Washington D.C. area where he is still involved in the music scene. Tewdros Mitiku on the other hand stayed in Ethiopia and helped form the Ibex Band before fleeing to the US. There he released two CDs, Teddy’s Mood and Hasabe. (Hasabe was first released on cassette back in 1988 with the Shebeles)
Alula Yohannes left for Germany soon after and was replaced by Andrew Wilson who hailed from then Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. In the mid 1980’s, Alula Yohannes returned to Ethiopia and had a popular song called, “Sentayehu“ (Ethiopian Television repeatedly showed the video through its “Hebret Terit” and “For the Youth” programs). 
Seyfu Yohannes refer to Part I–some other songs that Seyfu Yohannes probably did with the Soul Ekos include Yekermew Sew and Meche Dereshe.
Tamrat Ferenji-was born in 1951 in Wellega. Though he was a trumpet player in the Soul Ekos band, he did release several 45’s in the late 1970’s with the Sensation Band for Kaifa Records. He sang both in Amharic and Oromiffa. Tamrat passed away sometime in the mid 1990’s.
The Soul Ekos Band was later renamed the Ibex Band which later became The Roha Band.
The All-Star Band
The All Star Band was formed in 1970. It members were for the most part composed from two popular bands, The second Ras Band, and The Soul Ekos Band. Composed from the Ras Band were Girma Beyene (Keyboars), Tesfamariam Kidane (Sax), Hailu “Zehon” Kebede (Bass) and Menelik Wossenachew (Vocals). Feqade Amdemesqel (Sax), Hailu “Zehon” Kebede (Bass) and Tamerat “Lotti” Kebede (Drums) were members of Soul Ekos. Tekle “Huket” Adhanom (Guitar) and Girma Tchibsa (Percussion) were the only “new” additions in terms of band experience. Alemayehu Eshete (Vocals) came from the Police Orchestra. Between 1970-1972, the All Star Band recorded a great deal with Alemayehu Eshete and Menelik Wossenachew. Alemayehu’s releases included, Alteleyeshegnem, Teredechewalhu, Tchero Adari Negn, Addis Ababa Bete, Yeweyn Haregitu, Denyew Deneba, Temehert Bete and Nefas Endayegeban. Menelik’s releases include Tizita, Chereqa, and Meqaberen Liyew. With the exception of Tizita (Mulatu Astatqe), Girma Beyene did all the arrangements for the above songs.
Seyfu Yohannes – refer to Part I
With the exception of being one of the most incredible bass players during the golden Era, not much is known about Hailu “Zehon” Kebede. From his alias which means Elephant, one can deduce that he must have been physically big. His bass lines were one of the best. His contribution to the development of Ethiopia’s zemenawi muziqa, as member of the Ras, The All Star, and The Alem-Girma Bands, is undeniable . Hailu “Zehon” Kebede passed away around 1983. His bass lines on Alemayehu Eshete’s
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Tesfamariam Kidane, Feqade Amdemesqel and Tekle “Huket” Adhanom were all born and raised in Eritrea.
Tesfamariam got his start with the Police Orchestra in Asmara. After his stints with the second Ras Band & The All Star Band, Tesfamariam left for the United States in 1972. In order to finance his departure the All Star Band released “Ethiopian Modern Instrumental Hits“ The album contained original compositions by Mulatu Astatqe. It also contained three pieces credited to Tesfamariam. These were Heywete (Tesfamariam’s take on Tilahun Gesesse’s Sithed Siketelat) Yetesfa Tizita (arranged by Girma Beyene) and Tizita (arranged by Mulatu Astatqe).
Known for his guitar wizardry, Tekle “Huket” Adhanom (“Huket” was given to him for his volatile personality) became one of the best guitarist of his generation. After his tenure at the All Star Band he found himself with the Walias Band, also known as The Shebeles. His guitar work on “Ethiopian Modern Instrumental Hits” shows his amazing talent. One doesn’t have to go too far to witness his work of art–just take a listen to his solo on Tesfamariam Kidane’s Heywete.
Feqade Amdemesqel, like his bandmate Tesfamariam Kidane, got his start at the Police Orchestra in Asmara. Feqade was an accomplished bassist though he is known for his contribution as a saxophonist. He was the bassist for the Soul Ekos band. After his stint at The All Star Band, he joined The Ibex Band. In 1974 he was featured on Mulatu Astatqe’s “Yekatit“ . Later, it was he and other members from the Ibex Band that formed The Roha Band. He left the Roha Band in 1989 or 1990. He was replaced by Yared Tefera (a talented sax player who was a founding member of the Dadimoss Band) Before he was forced to go into exile in 1998, Feqade Amdemesqel, owned and managed Ghion Music and Video Shop and Ghion Photo. Today he lives in the United States.
Both Tesfamariam Kidane and Feqade Amdemesqel give the credit for their sax sound to Getachew Mekurya, YeSaxophonu Negus. (The King of Ethiopian Saxophone)
The Alem-Girma Band
The Alem-Girma band was formed by Alemayehu Eshete and Girma Beyene in 1972. The band retained some of the members from the All Star Band. Girma Beyene (keyboards), Hailu “Zehon” Kebede (bass), Abebe Kassa (saxophone), Berhane Mutche (guitar) (Andrew Wilson shared the guitar work as well), Tamerat “Lotti” Kebede and Tesfaye “Hodo” Mekonnen shared the drums.
Alemayehu Eshete most amazing work came through the Alem-Girma Band. his releases included Qonjit, Yeleben Betayiw, Qotchegn Messassate, Eruq Yaleshew, Shegitu Mare, Yeweb Dar, Telantena Zare, Memar Memeramer, and Manihon Teleq Sew. Again, as in most of Alemayehu Eshete’s songs, Girma Beyene arranged these gems.
The band lasted until 1974. Girma Beyene later joined the Walias Band. Hailu “Zehon” Kebede joined the Agher Fiqer Maheber, Berhane Mutche was a founding member of the Olympic Band (not sure of the date but Berhane passed away sometime in the late 80’s or early ’90’s) Tamerat “Lotti” Kebede left Ethiopia to live somewhere in Europe. He made a short comeback playing the drums in Tilahun Gesesse’s two-CD Greatest hits album. I believe he passed away a few years ago.
The Ras Band, The All Star Band and The Alem-Girma Band played a pivitol role in the “Golden Era” of Ethiopian music. Their contributions are heard today thanks to the vision of Amha Eshete, who recorded these priceless gems and Francis Falceto, whose tireless efforts brought us the Ethiopiques series (a piece will be dedicated to him in the future.)
PART III will be dedicated entirely to the IBEX BAND.
***As always most of the information for this piece was gathered from the liner notes to Ethiopiques 1, 8, 9, 10 & 13 and Francis Falceto’s book “Abyssine Swing: a pictorial history of modern Ethiopian music” The photos were collected from Ethiopiques 4, 10 & Francis’ photo book. The biography for Teshome Mitiku came from his website http://www.teshomemitiku.com/
Published by April 24th, 2006 in Music, Noteworthy, Podcast and Thoughts.
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*speechless* u are amazing EthioJazz!!!
the contribution of the ethiopiques to the remergance of ethiopian music is amazing! where did Abubakar Ashakih die?? was he in addis? the beats for yezemed yebada i think was used also in the movie "broken flower"… I had given all the credit to mulatu astatqe… i do love love the new version.. just amazing… meche dereshe… the paino is great…i also think a part of the beats was used for another either orchestra song… I'm telling you man …i think my ears are developing… i'll get back to you with the next two bands…
BTW you have outdone yourself… betam kelebe yemeneche thank you kehulachinime
I just listened to Wub Nat , what a sad song? what an amazing song! great song! backup vocals reminds me of motown. I just fell in love with the song….
Menelik wossenachehu,; i am guessing he was huge.. since it seems like he did a lot of hit songs…. as mentioned in part one….so what happened to him, is he dead? did he continue to do music post all star band…
siefu yohannes and girma beyene collab songs are wonderful .. slow… i’m more conviced that girma beyene is quite a genuis… great songs…very meloncholly…
Tiqur: Though I don’t deserve that, thanks for the ego boost!
Nolawi: Thanks for your kind words. Abubakar Ashike died near Sundasky, Ohio. Yezemed Yebada was not featured on “Broken Flowers.” You must have mistaken it with “Yegele Tezeta,” which is totally a Mulatu Astatqe composition. As for Menelik Wossenachew he is still alive and I believe lives in Addis. His works with the Haile Selassie Theatre Orchestra, Ras Band and All Star Band are without question, stellar. He did continue singing and he did join another band but that’s another story…:-)
I tell you anything Girma Beyene touched turned into Gold. His collababorations with Alemayehu Eshete, Seyfu Yohannes and Menelik Wossenachew are the cream of the crop of the “Golden Era”
CLASSIC!!!
I really can say nothing. I am touched and quite nostalgic thogh I was not able to saviour these classic pople’s work in person. I know some about them, but this is different. I hope many are reading this.
Thank you very much and I just can’t wait to read the third part.
just curious as to what you thought about alemayehu eshetes newest works?.
qonjit by almayehu and girma… was that a remake of qonjitye by sifu yohannes?
erm: as always thanks for your positive feedback. The third part will take longer to post since I’m hoping to interview 2-3 members of the Walias Band.
nolawi: I really wanted to like Alemayehu Eshete’s recent CD–but i didn’t care for it much. Alemayehu still has the voice but my dissapointment has everything to do with the arrangement and the use of the drum machine.
Qonjit -by Alemayehu Eshete and arranged by Girma Beyene is not a remake of Seyfu Yohannes’ Qonjiteye–they are totally different.
Whoever you are, who compiled this piece of history God bless you. It is high time we get involved in compiling the history and biography of our singers while they are still alive. This motivates me to start with Alemayehu Eshete's life story. Any comments? Thank you for the beautiful songs and history lesson. I remember watching the Soul Ekos band playing on Hibret TirIt as a child lying on the floor since the couch was taken by my parents and older brothers. Thanks again and again ………..* 1000000000000000 ….
Yohannis: Thanks for the blessings and numerous accolades. A wonderful idea to write about Alemayehu Eshete–you might want to start here http://www.addislive.com/content/view/20/62/ . Also the liner notes to Volume 9 in the Ethiopiques series has valuable resources. Wow, are you sure it was Soul Ekos that you saw? The reason I ask is they stopped being a band around 1970(European Calendar). I wasn’t aware that Hibret Tiret was around before the revolution. Thanks again.
Yohannis; great idea to write about alemayehu eshete… I would really be interested in reading his story.. he has been around for a long while…. i also have a copy of the text from a recent interview for your notes… i can email to you…. please register and write your artcle…. and let us know how we can help
Ethio Jazz:Thanks, and I anticipate it is going to be worth waiting. By the way talking of the Soul Ekos, was there any band (club) called Saba Ekos around late 70’s to early 80’s? For some reason it clicked when I read the post by Yohannis. Anybody who has heard about them?
Yohannis: I will be glad to read your post once you get finished with Alye’s work. I wish I could help contribute. Thanks again.
when is the next article Ethio… a big fan is waiting?
erm: sorry for the late response-i’ve never heard a band or a club for that matter, called Saba Ekos. Esti i’ll ask around if anyone heard about it.
Mesfin: I finally tracked two musicians from the Walias Band. I’m in the process of getting together with them to write the piece on this phenomenal band.
we look forward to that, we missed you!
Girma Beyene is to Ethiopian music as Quincy Jones is to American. Any thing they toch turns into gold. They know how to work miracle when it comes to music.
And bare in mind that recently we have lost three wonderful drummers, Tesaye (Hodo) Mekonnen, Tamirat (Lotti)Kebede, and Tesfaye (from dahlak Band) who have contributed greatly to the music industry. We did not get a chance to say thank you while they were around, but we should take the liberty to recognize them for their hard work even though they are not with us.
Wow, Gas I think Ive heard something about the dahlak band I think one of the ethiopiques
Dahlak band is one the pioneer in Ethiopain music history. The bands former name was “The Equators”. The original members were; Dawit Yifru(keyboards), David Kassa(guitar), who has joined the band after it was formed, Tilaye Gebrae(sax), Shimelis(trumpet), Abera Feyissa(bass), and the late Tesfaye(drummer), and also the well known Muluken Melese(vocals). They performed at the Ghion hotel for quite sometime before they broke up. During the Durge era where curfew was strictly inforced, peolpe did not have a choice but to dance till dawn before they could go home. So, Ghion was one of the night clubs the young prefer to spend the night.
Hey Gas, what is your email address, send it to me at nolawi.petros @ gmail.com? I do have a question?
I prefer to remain anonymus at this time. Please no offense, this is because of email restrictions I have at my work place. In the future, I’ll try to contact you with my personal email address. But still, if I may be of assistance, do not hesitate to chat. In the meantime, I’ll check the web site every now and then for questions posted and will try to answer to them if I have the wisdom.
Nolawi, at this time I prefer to stay anonymus . Please, no offense, it is because of company policy in regarding to email. I’ll provide you with my personal email address in the future. In the meantme, if you have issues to discuss, please post them on this web site and I’ll try to respond to them according to the capacity of my knowledge. From now on wards, I’ll make a habit of checking the site every now and then and respond to questions posted if I’ve the wisdom.
Well thanks you so much…:)
GAS–thank you for all the feedback and info. I love the way you compared Girma Beyene with Quincy Jones.
I did hear that Tesfaye “Hodo” Mekonnen and Tamerat “Lotti” Kebeded had passed away, but this the first time I’m hearing that drummer Tesfaye Tessema from the Dahlak Band had passed on. My condolences to their families, friends and fans. They were indeed great musicians and their contribution will forever live on in the reccordings they left behind. GAS, you left out Rida Ibrahim and Mimi Shawel as vocalists and members of Dahlak Band.
Note to my ever supportive readers: Family obligations have made it very difficult to contribute the next installment of the piece. I hope to return soon.
I would ask all music loving Ethiopians to pray for Elias Bekele, the drummer for the Shebele’s band, and Roha band there after. He has been ill for quite sometime here in the US. We shall pray for his speedy recovery so that he will soon be able to join his family back home.
Ethio Jazz!
On the listing under the picture of The All Star Band, the unknown is Hailu “Zihon” kebede and vice versa. From the picture, the one that should be the unknown does very much looks like Seifu Yohannes at his early age.
I will keep Elias Bekele in my prayers and thoughts. Most recently Elias had been a member of the Express Band. Their CD release "Tiwiwik" is one of the best instrumentals I've heard in recent years.
Ethio Jazz!
If you have paid close attention to Qonjit, Yewoub dar, and Tinant Ena Zarae of Alemayehu’s songs, you could hear not one but two horn players. Do you have a clue who the second guy may be?
GAS–I’m not really sure who the second person is, but I do know that saxphonist Tekle Gebremedhin recorded with the Alem-Girma Band. It wouldn’t suprise me if he was the one. I’ll ask him the next time I ran into him. By the way,of the many songs Girma Beyene arranged for Alemayehu Eshete,one of his favorites include “Telantena Zare.”
Thanks Ethio Jazz!
In the meantime, try to figure out who the unknown person is. I’m assuming it is either Seifu Yohannes or Tekle Adhanom. But as of the line up, I’m sure you got them vice versa.
Thanks for the clarification GAS. It’s definitely not Tekle “Huket” Adhanom. Hopefully Girma Beyene will shed some light to this mystery person. GAS, do you have any additional information you can add about Hailu “Zehon” Kebede? He was truly one of my favorite bass players from the old timers.
Well, let me say a little bit about what I know of Hailu “Zihon” Kebede. As you have mantioned it earlier, he was a well known basist with lovely melodic bass lines. Besides Giovanni Rico, hailu is the one I admired the most. Also, Hailu has performed as a drummer for quit some time. In fact, he was the man behind the drums on Alemayehu Eshete’s “Ya Tara”. In the future I’ll provide you with more info as it becomes available.
Thanks GAS and as always your additional input is greatly appreciated.
I googles hibret tiret and this came up; I’m wondering whne hibret tireet started… isnt it post revolution…
Nolawi, may God bless you for digging this post out from the archives. This is just great! And EthioJazz, what can I say? You are amazing.
Thanks guys.
Nolawi: I also was wondering when Hibret Tiret started, until I saw this footage http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4811070149781226371
The person on the footage is none other than Bealu Girma. An accomplished journalist and author. He authored classics such as “Haddis,” “Keadmas Bashager,” “Yekey Kokeb Tiri” and the book that led to his death, “Oromia.” According to the footage Hibret Tiret started in 1957(EC), 1963-64(GC)
Chereka: Thanks! Always great to see you here. I’ll see you on the other end very soon.:-)
Ha ha Ethio, this is not the same chereka that you think it is. This chereka is a guy who happens to be the author of this blog
thanks for the info, about hibret tireet … man a long time ..i wonder ifits still on now…
Nolawi: aye ante, I know who this Chereka is, in fact I’ve had a couple of drinks with him in the past.
EJ, my pleasure. Yes, we miss you on the other end. Hey, didn’t some of those novles by Bealu Girma, turned into plays. I seem to remember those titles being advertised at Beherawi (H.S.) Theatre.
Nolawi, I hope I didn’t shatter anyone’s dream with that penname. LOL You sonded like you were teasing EJ.
Even though i knew you were a different chereka… for some reason I always thought you were a girl…
your beEr sime is just so feminen..
You prefer Tsehai??
That’s even more feminine. Well, it’s my way of staying with my feminine side. I’m very comfortable with it. 
Sorry about my comment on the line up. You are perfectly right on the picture. It is me who failed to pay close attention to the listing.
gas-you were right the first time–after you corrected me I went in and changed the line up to reflect the corrected version. You’re also right in guessing who the unknown person is. Moges Habte told me its Seyfu Yohannes.
Thanks again gas!
Hi there !
Although this is my first time I am happy with the overall info on modern Ethiopian music. Keep it up !
….A minor error on ‘Yezemed yebaed’…..the correct one is ‘Yezemed yebada’…even Francis Falceto’s title of same on Ethiopiques is not correct.
Talk to you later,
Hey GAS it was nice info to see Baleu Girma’s video. I have read his book when it was illigeal back in a days and wonder what he looks like.
God Bless,
Tata, it is chereka that you need to thank, not me.
gracias chereka, long thread.
I think Alula Yohanes is the guy who plays on 3#rd street in Santa Monica, CA (the abesha street singer). I heard he claims he is Jewish and plays Jewish music.
I’m sorry to have taken this long to realize the errors made in regards to Tamirat Ferenj(s). It is not clear as to which Tamirat Ferenj you’re refering in this story. The “Tamirat Ferenj” who played trumpet was never a singer and the “Tamirat Ferenj” who sang Amharic, English, Oromo and Sudanese was never a trumpet player. The actual last name for the singer is Fereja. His father acquired his nick name “Ferenj” because he was very light skinned. He was called Ferenj in association of his skin to white man. The other Tamirat Ferenj was called ferenj because he was half Ethiopian and half Libian. So, we have two Tamirat Ferenjs, one, a singer whose father was light skinned and one, a trumpet player who was light skinned him self.
EJ,
I bumped into this today. I am sure u already know it but just in case.
http://tummers.pbworks.com/MusiCians
well done dear!
Choosing the right first dance can be tricky, why not have a live band play for you..