Sons of Ethiopia

In 1974, Haile Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia, was overthrown - the very same one whom the Rastafarians consider the earthly incarnation of Jah. A junta called the Derg led by "Black Stalin," Mengistu Haile Mariam, came to power in the country. Members of the group Admas grew up in an era of propaganda and censorship. Emigrating, they played with Aster Aweke and other Ethiopian musicians working in the USA. In 1984, Admas recorded the album "Sons Of Ethiopia," but never performed it live. In the 60s, a unique Ethiopian pop sound with elements of Latin, soul, and jazz emerged in Addis Ababa. Admas enriched it by adding highlife, electro, and reggae. "Sons Of Ethiopia" is probably the only recording of that time where Ethiopian musicians captured their own ideas. It's a sound of youth and freedom, but also of sadness and nostalgia, created by musicians performing for other refugees.

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