Teddy Mak's pioneering electronic music from 1980s Ethiopia to be reissued
via The Reporter Ethiopia5 min read
Muziqawi, under Selam Ethiopia, will reissue Teodros Mekonnen's album "Teodros Mekonen with his Organ" on double vinyl on October 2, 2026. The album, featuring artist Teddy Mak, was recorded in 1980s Addis Ababa during the Derg regime's military curfew, using a synthesizer and drum machine in a single, continuous take due to limited resources. This reissue highlights Teddy Mak's influential role in introducing electronic sounds to Ethiopian popular music, a move considered defiant during a time when the Marxist Derg regime suppressed individual artistic expression. Samuel Mulugeta, Country Director of Selam Ethiopia, stated that the initiative aims to improve the music industry for artists and foster a culture of preservation. Early Ethiopian recordings faced challenges such as poor storage, political upheaval, and lack of copyright protection, leading to the loss of much musical heritage. The pre-released track "Lebesh Kabashin," featuring vocalist Mahmoud Ahmed, showcases the album's blend of traditional Ethiopian pentatonic scales with early rhythm machines and synthesizers. Teddy Mak's musical journey began with classical training and was influenced by his father's record collection of jazz, soul, and Black American genres. He co-founded the band Easy Busy, which later became the De Afrique Band, and received mentorship from Mulatu Astatke. Despite the Derg regime's crackdown on music and artists, the De Afrique Band became an underground house band, backing vocalists lik
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