Release 4 – Dawit “Messay” Mellesse

The album “Anchin New” by Dawit “Messay” Mellesse, released in 1999, represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Ethio-pop at the turn of the millennium. It is not just a collection of songs, but a technological and cultural bridge between the traditions of Addis Ababa and modern international production.

1. The Encounter of Two Eras: Roha Band and Abegasu

The album is unique because it features a collaboration between two different creative forces:

• The Roha Band: The legendary band that dominated Ethiopian music throughout the 1980s and early 90s. Their style is rooted in a more “organic” and traditional sound.
• Abegasu Kibrework Shiota: A visionary producer who introduced modern keyboards, synthesizers, and high-level recording standards (working between New York and Ethiopia). The alternation of tracks between these two production styles creates a perfect balance between the warmth of the classic sound and the polished feel of modern pop.

2. A Distinctive Vocal Style

Dawit Mellesse is known for a voice capable of adapting to both melancholic ballads and upbeat rhythms. In this album, the title track Anchin New became an instant classic due to its catchy melody and the way it utilizes the Ethiopian pentatonic scale within an almost R&B context.

3. “International” Production Quality

Unlike many cassettes produced entirely in Addis Ababa with limited resources at the time, this album was:

• Recorded and mixed in New York (Soul-Life Studios).
• Digitally mastered in Virginia. This ensured superior sound quality, allowing Ethiopian music to sound “competitive” even on the high-end stereo systems of the diaspora in the United States and Europe.

4. The Role of AIT Records

The AIT Records label (owned by Aman Adinew) played a crucial role in professionalizing the Ethiopian music industry. This album is a symbol of their mission: to elevate local music to a global standard, meticulously overseeing not only the sound but also the aesthetics of the cover art and distribution.

5. Cultural Insights and Song Titles

Many tracks, such as Webe Keremela or Suse Nesh, use very colloquial and “sweet” language typical of the era’s courtship style. While the album is modern, it remains deeply connected to its roots; for instance, the track Bati references one of the most ancient and important musical scales in Ethiopia.

Side A

Facciata B

Track List:

Side A

1. Bichashn – You Alone
2. Anchin New – It Is You / You Are The One
3. Kunjina – Beauty / Loveliness
4. Yagere Lij – Girl of My Country / My Compatriot
5. Ayisemashim – You Don’t Hear Me / You Won’t Listen
6. Sela Bey – Say “Sela”

Side B

7. Min Yishalegnal – What Is Best For Me? / What Should I Do?
8. Rabew Aynen – My Eyes Are Hungry (To see you)
9. Suse Nesh – You Are My Addiction / My Obsession
10. Diresh Kedega – Come From The Highlands
11. Webe Keremela – Beautiful Candy
12. Alchalkum – I Can’t Go On / I Can’t Endure It

Credits:

• Artist: Dawit “Messay” Mellesse
• Album Title: Anchin New (Translated as: “It is You” or “You Are The One”)
• Record Label: AIT Records
• Release Year: © 1999 DM (Dawit Mellesse) / AIT Records

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Production and Technical Credits:

The album features collaborations with prominent musicians from the Ethiopian scene:

• Production and Arrangements: Abegasu Kibrework Shiota (worked on tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, and 9) and the Roha Band.
• Original Rhythm Programming: Elias Bekele (tracks 1, 4, 7, 8, and 9).
• Keyboards: Fasil Wuhib (tracks 2, 4, 5, and 8).
• Executive Production: Aman Adinew.
• Recording and Mixing: Abegasu Kibrework Shiota at “Soul-Life Studios” in New York.
• Digital Mastering: Charlie Pilzer at “Airshow Mastering, Inc.” in Springfield, VA.