{"product_id":"aselefech-ashine-getenesh-kebret-beauties-45690","title":"Aselefech Ashine \u0026 Getenesh Kebret - Beauties","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA lost classic of the Ethiopian Golden Age, reissued in full for the first time!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn this 1976 gem of a record, Aselefech Ashine and Getenesh Kebret’s voices intertwine in close harmony, the two “beauties” singing in duet across 10 gorgeous tracks. The Army Band, which backed greats like Tlahoun Gesesse and Mahmoud Ahmed, brings Mulatu-esque minor-key piano runs, interlocking percussion, and rock-steady basslines. Arranger Teshome Sisay’s flute winds through the compositions, tying together gloriously woozy horns. The greatest elements of Ethiopia’s Golden Age combine here, in one of the final records of the era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAselefech and Getenesh were raised in the bustling cosmopolitan world of late-empire Addis Ababa. They met at the Hager Fikr Theatre, the legendary center for art and cultural learning in Addis, where they were trained in centuries-old vocal techniques as well as acting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBEAUTIES was a hit, selling out upon its release in 1976. But its glory was short-lived. The Derg Regime was imposing strict crackdowns on music and artistic expression. Targeted as allies of the deposed Emperor Haile Selassie, the artists (and most musicians) had\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto keep a low profile. For two decades, nearly all recording and live music would cease in Ethiopia. This is one of the last great releases of the Ethiopian Golden Age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThough she was never able to release a second record, Aselefech Ashine is proud of her work. From her home in Addis she says: “I have full confidence that this album will be popular and a hit when it is released again now!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis album, long in the works, is released in collaboration with the artists and the mighty Domino Sound of New Orleans. Newly remastered vinyl comes in old-school “tip-on” jacket with lyric translations, photos, and an interview with Aselefech Ashine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"V001 - AGS Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46434047328443,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0569\/7647\/4299\/files\/a1421936012_10.jpg?v=1738536163","url":"https:\/\/ags.earth\/products\/aselefech-ashine-getenesh-kebret-beauties-45690","provider":"AGS Honolulu","version":"1.0","type":"link"}