Éthiopiques 26: Mahmoud Ahmed & The Imperial Bodyguard Band (1972-74)

The Bodyguard band years, with the version of Tezeta its label calls perhaps his most colourful.
Mahmoud Ahmed, 2010

Released
2010
Recorded
1972 to 1974
Label
Buda Musique
Type
compilation

Buda Musique's twenty-sixth volume collects his recordings with the Imperial Bodyguard Band from 1972 to 1974, the years of his Philips singles. Among them is the 1972 Tizita, first issued on Philips with Mella Tistegn, arranged by Hailu Wolde Mariam and pressed in Nairobi. Buda suggests it may be the most colourful version of the song he ever recorded, and likens its arrangement to a New Orleans funeral band. Songlines called the album a game of two halves.

Track listing

  1. Yèshiharègitu4:07
  2. Enèman Nèbèru3:53
  3. Ébo Lala3:20
  4. Essèt Mera3:40
  5. Mèla Testègn3:39
  6. Tezeta4:50
  7. Feqer Bèzèbèzègn3:56
  8. Hulum Bègizéw Nèw4:23
  9. Wubètwan Alesma3:37
  10. Kantchi Gar Kalhonè3:50
  11. Enqu Mèssay4:02
  12. Tchela Atbèy4:40
  13. Alèm Alèm3:30
  14. Endét Lelèfèw4:07

More from Mahmoud Ahmed

Éthiopiques 7: Erè Mèla Mèla (1999)

Sources

  1. Ethiopiques 26, Buda Musique
  2. Éthiopiques 26, MusicBrainz
  3. Ethiopiques Vol. 26 review, Songlines
  4. Mella Tistegn / Tizita (Philips PH 148), Discogs (1972)