Muluken Mellesse, born in 1954 in Gojjam, began his professional music career as a teenager and quickly rose to fame during the 1970s, collaborating with leading bands in Addis Ababa, including the Dahlak Band. Tracks like “Djèmèrègn,” “Tezeta,” and “Woub Abèba” became classics, cherished for their infectious rhythms and heartfelt delivery. The original release is frequently regarded as an excellent introduction to the lush soundscape of Ethiopia’s pre-revolution music scene, uniting Muluken’s warm, stirring voice with sophisticated arrangements and deft instrumental interplay. The album’s lineup highlights not only his musical sensibilities but also the key role of arranger Dawit Yifru.
The 2025 reissue, due on Heavenly Sweetness, brings this essential work to new listeners with a remastered pressing, reflecting a growing global recognition of Ethiopian musical heritage. Muluken's secular career, however, was relatively brief; in the early 1980s, he embraced a new path in the Ethiopian Pentecostal church, leaving behind his pop success but not the legacy of his voice. Muluken Mellesse with the Dahlak Band remains a touchstone of Ethiopian popular music, remarkable for its marriage of expressive vocals, infectious grooves, and social poignancy. The album—whether discovered through Ethiopiques or reissues—resonates beyond nostalgia, testifying to the creative vitality of Ethiopia’s musical past and Muluken’s lasting influence.
