KIBROM A. BIRHANE
Bo Gizzae Lekulu ~ A Time for Everything

1
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under
the heavens:
2
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain
from embracing,
6
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

The timeless words from the diary of the great poet and warrior King Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is re-kindled in the present day and set to music by multi-instrumental musician, vocalist and composer Kibrom Birhane in his second full-length album "Bo Gizzae Lekulu" which is in "Geez" the ancient Ethiopian language and still used in Ethiopian Orthodox Church; translates to A Time For Everything.

This highly anticipated second album was born out of Ethiopian Folk music, Saint Yared's Zema, Funk, Jazz, Pop, Soul and Gospel influences. Ethiopian drum grooves and scales created the inspiration drawn from different places that Kibrom has visited in the past. This is vividly expressed in the song "Spirit of Lalibela" which uses Kibrom’s personal recordings of melodic birds liturgy ceremony and resounding bells from his first visit in 2015 to the holy Ethiopian church site of Lalibela. The ancient stone monument is brought to life with the stirring interpretation of the traditional Ethiopian musical scale known as "Anchi Hoye" composed by Kibrom on the Piano and some background vocals accented by Randal Fisher’s soaring notes on the saxophone.

The popular Ethiopian rhythmic groove and festive dance that accompanies "Eskista" is given a fresh interpretation by Kenyan vocalist, Nasambu Barasa, who brings a Swahili dimension to the hypnotic track calling the people to get up from their chairs, find their joy in the music and move their bodies to the sound of "Masinko" which is an Ethiopian traditional instrument played by Kibrom.

"Song for Abrish" a jazzy, light-hearted tune, is dedicated to Kibrom’s older brother Abrham who is also a musician and was a major source of guidance and support from childhood on in shaping Kibrom’s own musical career. The album closes with "Puagmae" featuring Etsegenet Mekonnen on guitar; which is fitting as it is the name for the last month of the Ethiopian 13-month calendar which only lasts 5 or 6 days in duration and is a time of collective reflection, prayer, and preparation for the coming season.

Special thanks to everyone who involved in this project, especially Teferie Assefa, who recreated the traditional Ethiopian grooves into the modern drum style that is heard on the album.

God Bless!

www.kibromusika.com