Besides throwing what is probably the most hip-shaking, gyrating party in Beirut – Beirut Groove Collective’s All Nighters – Ernesto Chahoud is a huge vinyl collector who specializes in digging up Ethiopian gems. Chahoud mixes many of these discoveries at the BGC parties, podcasts, and during his occasional tours.

The best of these tracks are now available in a new compilation set to be released in February via BBE.  Entitled Taitu: Soul-fuelled stompers from 1970s Ethiopia, this collection hails straight from the dance floors of 1970s Addis Ababa.

Expect a wide variety of songs, ranging from the father of Ethio-jazz Mulatu Astatke, to Alemayehu Eshete (better known as ‘Ethiopian Elvis’), alongside tracks by more obscure artists such as Merawi Yohannis and Birkineh Wurga.

 

You can pre-order the compilation via this link. Meanwhile, here’s a preview of the track list. Happy grooving!

 

Ethiopian Stompers:

1. Menelik Wossenatchew – Fikratchin*
2. Mulatu Astatke – Emnete
3. Teshome Meteku – Hasabe
4. Birkineh Wurga – Alkedashim
5. Selomon Shibeshi – Endiet Zenegashiw
6. Alemayehu Eshete – Chiro Adarie Negne
7. Hirut Bekele – Ewnetegna Feker
8. Bezunesh Bekele – Felagote
9. Alemayehu Eshete – Mekeyershene Salawke
10. Tilahun Gessesse – Aykedashim Libe
11. Merawi Yohannis – Teleyeshign
12. Hirut Bekele & Alemayehu Eshete – Temelese
13. Alemayehu Eshete – Honey Baby*

 

Ethiopian Clappers and more:

1. Seifu Yohannes – Ebo Lala
2. Bezunesh Bekele – Aha Gedawo
3. Alemayehu Borobor – Yeshebelewa
4. Seifu Yohannes – Mela Mela
5. Tilahun Gessesse – Sigibgib Joroye
6. Alemayehu Eshete – Gizew Honeshyna
7. Bahta G. Hiwot – Tessassategn Eko*
8. Getatchew Kassa – Fikrishin Eshaleyu
9. Hirut Bekele – Almokerkum Nebere
10. Muluken Melesse – Alagegnhwatem
11. Menelik Wossenachew – Tezeta
12. Tamrat Molla – Ene Yewodedquat

 

Editor: Diva Khoury