The Ethiopians formed in Addis Ababa in the mid-1960s around vocalist Aster Aweke and guitarist Abebe Wolde, who initially worked with the Walias Band. They left Ethiopia during political unrest and eventually settled in Jamaica, where their music found an audience.
Their 1970 single "Engine 54" became a breakthrough, blending reggae with Ethiopian melodic elements. Songs like "Another Moses" and "(I Want To Be A) Better Man" carried themes of social justice and spiritual yearning that resonated in both African and Caribbean contexts.
While their lineup changed over time, with core members including drummer Getatchew Mekuria and bassist Daniel Yohannes, the group maintained a distinctive sound that drew from soul and traditional Ethiopian music alongside reggae. They released albums like "Taitu" in 1971 and "Reggae Power" in 1975 before Aster Aweke departed in 1977.
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