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Al compás del mundo - programa #123 – Sudan and Ethiopia

This will be the second time around on Al compas del mundo featuring the music of Sudan and Ethiopia. Apart from the totally mesmerizing and distinct sounds from these East African neighbors, there are two major underlying motives for my appreciation. When we lived in Cairo for a year back in 1982-83, one of our August vacation options was Sudan and its capital of Khartoum. Similar desertic topography to Egypt and a summer time average temperature of 105-115 degrees steered us toward the alternative: Turkey – green, Mediterranean, and politically stable (mostly). Still, I (almost) left my heart in Sudan. The music did all it could to win me over. 

Purchasing cassettes of Sudanese music in the streets of Cairo, I was exposed to the mellifluous strains of Sudanese orchestras, soloists, and singers. There’s no other music on the planet quite like it. Cuts 2, 7 and 9 may be exceptions only in that they are straight out of the country and unlike the urban sounds I’m particularly enthralled with (though representative and savory). 

Ethiopian music takes up the second half of the program and fills it with more unique stylings found only in that region of Africa. To my ears, Ethiopian music epitomizes “exotica.” Not to trivialize or fetishize with my Western ears, but the scales used, particularly minor notes, evoke in me a certain mood, both tenebrous and exultant. Another reason for the attraction goes back to my days wooing Ms. Claudia in Mexico City. One of the many things that brought us together was the fact we had each dated Ethiopians. Each had shared music from back home and we both became converts. Fortunately, she waited for me and ended up in San Francisco and not Addis Ababa.

Of course, none of these meager descriptions of the music presented herein do any sort of justice to the actual product. Find these tunes wherever you can and listen. An education and pleasure will be your reward. - J.H.


RunList for  'Sudan and Ethiopia' 
First Broadcast 4-11-24  

01 al-Bilabil - al-Bysel ma bituoh (Sudan)

02 anonymous - Wed al-ballah howidi (Sudan)

03 Solomon Mahmoud - Ashwak (Sudan)

04 Mohammed Wardi – al-Sourah (The Photo) (Sudan)

05 Abu Obaida Hassan - Nas fi nas (Sudan)

06 Sayed Khalifa - سلام بالبسمة (Sudan)

07 Seed al-Khala - Audhiya azab (Sudan)

08 Abdelkarim al-Kabli - Hal Fatma (Sudan)

09 anonymous – folk music on the rebab (Sudan)

10 Thona'i al-Nagham - al-Akhdar al-limuni (Sudan)

11 Seyfu Yohannes - Mela mela (Ethiopia)

12 Girma Beyene - Ene negn bay manesh (Ethiopia)

13 Mahmoud Ahmed - Atawurulegn lela (Ethiopia)

14 Muluken Melesse - Hédètch alu (Ethiopia)

15 Asselefetch Ashine & Getenesh Kebret & Army Band - Metche new (Ethiopia)

16 Ayalew Mesfin & Black Lion Band - Feger aydelem wey (Ethiopia)

17 Tlahoun Gessesse - Sema (Ethiopia)

18 Ayalew Mesfin & Black Lion Band - Gedawo (Ethiopia)

Black Lion Moving





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