Event Review + Gallery: Tropical Pressure @ Mt. Pleasant Eco Park (Porthtowan, Cornwall; Friday 15th To Sunday 17th July 2022)

Sunsets, swimming and sound systems. Tropical Pressure, set on a cliff on the coast of Cornwall, returned after a covid hiatus in full blossom. This year the ecologically ethical festival managed to supply a wholesome, colourful and conscious curation of diverse music celebrating many musical traditions. Spread out across 4…

Artists: Bcuc , CubAfrobeat , Dele Sosimi , DJ FIFI , Hailu Mergia , Kiko Bun , Kishon Khan , La Cumbia Chicharra , Matondology , Mulele Matondo , Prince Fatty , Stunflower , The Mauskovic Dance Band , Village Cuts , Yeamanjo

Rhythm Passport Presents… #3 (January 2022)

This year, we decided to have a different go at the usual end of the year list. Thanks to RTM.FM and Taco!, we could change the medium and move from written words to on-air ones… Our first podcast of 2022 and third Rhythm Passport Presents… features a “best albums of…

Artists: Abdul And The Gang , Arooj Aftab , Baianasystem , Balimaya Project , Bareto , Bejuco , Blue Lab Beats , Cochemea , Combo Chimbita , dal:um , Farhot , Giacomo Sferlazzo , Go Dugong , Guedra Guedra , Hailu Mergia , Imed Alibi , Joao Selva , K.o.g. , Khalil EPI , Little Simz , Moor Mother , Oliver Nayoka , Tanya Tagaq , Urban Village , Xenia Rubinos , Zohra

Daily Discovery: Hailu Mergia & the Walias Band – Nefas New Zemedie

‘Nefas New Zemedie’ is extracted from a “newly unearthed” album by Hailu Mergia out in early June on Awesome Tapes From Africa.   “Tezeta is the first full length album by The Walias Band recorded and released in 1975 by the band’s own label […] Sourced by Awesome Tapes From Africa…

Artists: Hailu Mergia , The Walias Band

Album Review: Hailu Mergia – Yene Mircha [Awesome Tapes From Africa; March 2020]

The man with the Moog is back when we needed him most. Following his acclaimed 2018 release Lala Belu, the unassuming elder of Ethiopian music Hailu Mergia returns with his soothing synths for Yene Mircha which translates from Amharic as `My Choice’. Ever since Buena Vista Social Club and (before) we’ve…

Artists: Hailu Mergia

Bandcamp’s Fundraiser Special – Albums (Friday 20th March 2020)

It doesn’t happen everyday that online music platforms champion the cause of musicians, but Bandcamp has showed us, more than once, to be different from the vast majority of music platforms. Today (until 11.59PM Pacific Time), to support all the artists affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland-based company will…

Artists: Cheb Runner , DJ Doraemon , Hailu Mergia , Hamish Napier , Irreversible Entanglements , Jeich Ould Badou , Let Drum Beat , Lina Raul Referee , Raül Refree , Simo Lagnawi , Simo Lagnawi & Gnawa London , Son Rompe Pera , Spoek Mathambo , The Sorcerers , Tino Contreras

London Gig Guide (April 2019)

At times, we are the first to lose track of how many exciting music events happen in London each month, so we have decided to offer you some sort of “public musical service”, meant for all the locals and passers-by, with the aim of suggesting where to listen to some…

Artists: Awalé , Brother Culture , Calibro 35 , Gerald Toto , Hailu Mergia , Horseman , K.o.g And The Zongo Brigade , Kokoko! , Koral Society , Krar Collective , Lafawndah , Midori Takada , Oumou Sangare , Prince Fatty , Psychedelia , Que Vola? , Soom T , Steam Down , Terakaft , The Heliocentrics , The West African Blue Project , Yelfris Valdes

Album Review: Hailu Mergia – Lala Belu [Awesome Tapes from Africa, February 2018]

January and February are the times when we reconsider last year’s resolutions a bit more seriously. For master keyboard player and living legend Hailu Mergia, 2018 is his year. February is the time for a heartfelt resolution to happen worldwide, and after 15 years since his last release, everyone is…

Artists: Hailu Mergia