back to
Catalytic Sound
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Selam (2CD)

by Tsehaytu Beraki

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $15 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of Selam (2CD) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    3 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

1.
2.
3.
Abashawel 07:06
4.
Hallu 08:34
5.
Harestai 10:02
6.
Sport Malet 06:00
7.
Asmara 12:25
8.
Freweini 07:14
9.
10.
11.
12.
Simsim 11:02
13.
14.
Lale Bola 05:25
15.
16.
Ade 10:42
17.
Selam 13:30

about

It was while eating one of her fabulous injeras ("Eat!") or drinking ("playing") together in the local Eritrean bar with her, where she at times enjoys a warm beer or two, that I heard many stories and started to realize what a star she had been and what incredible impact she had made in Eritrea, both musically and politically, and also in Ethiopia. I also realized that, apart from a few 7" singles, not many of her songs had actually been recorded and released. The continual struggle in her country didn't really make this so easy. And of course, I discovered what a great artist she was.

I was intrigued. Who was this small old woman, with this incredible spirit and power. She seemed a bit stranded in Rotterdam, sometimes still in pain from the holes in her head, caused by shrapnel. She didn't really play much anymore. I built her a new krar and invited her to practice in The Ex's rehearsal room. Often in the freezing cold, and with the patient help of Colin McLean, The Ex's then sound-engineer, many many songs emerged.

From this, the idea of making a CD together grew. Old songs, but new ones as well. Over the years she has gradually given me many old photos, always one at the time and always with more and more confidence that things were right.

We recorded, with Dolf Planteydt, in short sessions over more than three years, Tsehaytu taking the opportunity to do much practising and rehearsing. On these recordings she plays all the instruments herself. We decided to produce the music in an as pure and authentic manner as possible. No silly drum-machines, that spoil so many modern Eritrean recordings. (If I may say so as a ferangie...) And it was a pleasure to give the music the length that it needed, instead of the usual maximum five minutes limit of a 7" single.

On some of the songs Tsehaytu invited several Dutch musicians, which she got to know over the years, to join her. Such as the jazz-drummer and improviser Han Bennink, who she once played an unforgettable duo with in the Amsterdam Balie venue; also drummer Michael Vatcher for some "Sudanese" rhythms and Katherina and Rozemarie of The Ex. We invited some Eritrean youth to do the backing vocals and clapping. Andy (also from The Ex) did most of the mixing, and in the end the 17 songs she sang and played just managed to fit on two CDs.

Tsehaytu is doing fine. She has just moved into a new flat and still goes to Dutch school three days a week. And she cares, she cares an incredible amount. About Eritrea, her family, the disabled, the women, her friends. With her culture, background, music and history in a "strange" country, she will always speak out, to anyone, without fear of anything. As she has always done.


Backing Vocals, Handclaps – Amleset Russom, Kulubrhan Gebrenedhin, Mikael Tekle, Selamawit Yemane
Double Bass – Rozemarie Heggen
Drums – Han Bennink (tracks: 2-8), Katherina Bornefeld (tracks: 1-6 / 2-6), Michael Vatcher (tracks: 1-8 / 2-3)
Vocals, Krar, Bass-Krar, Koboro – Tsèhaytu Bèraki

credits

released December 7, 2016

Recorded between February 200 and November 2003 in Holland.

Mastered By – Colin McLean
Mixed By – Andy Moor (2)
Producer – Terrie Ex
Recorded By – Dolf Planteijdt

2CD + 36 Page Booklet

Terp AS-07

Released 2004

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Terrie Hessels / Terp Records Amsterdam, Netherlands

contact / help

Contact Terrie Hessels / Terp Records

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Selam (2CD), you may also like: