Tag Archives: Ethiopia
‘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...
![Album Review: Alhousseini Anivolla & Girum Mezmur – Afropentatonism [Piranha Records; July 2020]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/anivolla-afropentatonism-cover-335x335.jpg)
It was a breath of fresh air to receive this excellent album to review. Set against a background of recent unrest in Ethiopia triggered by the killing of controversial musician Haacaaluu Hundeessa in Addis Ababa on 29th June this year, the album Afropentatonism (out in early July on Piranha Records) by...
The father of Ethio-jazz Mulatu Astatke joins forces with Melbourne-based Black Jesus Experience to deliver a delicious encounter of Ethiopian melodies with hip-hop-infused jazz and funk grooves on To Know Without Knowing, our cd of the week out on Agogo Records. Radio Mukambo also serves new stuff from Ethioda (French...
![Album Review: Hailu Mergia – Yene Mircha [Awesome Tapes From Africa; March 2020]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/hailu-mergia-yene-mircha-cover-335x335.jpg)
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...
Experience the dreamy sounds of Ethiopian legend Hailu Mergia in one of Hackney’s most impressive venues. From the 1970s to the present day, Mergia has become a master of his instrument and will be supported by fellow Ethiopian group, Krar Collective, for a celebration of Ethio-jazz. After returning to popularity...
By now, you’d already know that we don’t like charts, ranks or hierarchies. So, of course, we have compiled a list of our favourite albums of the year (next to songs and videos), but more than a ranking, we prefer to call our choices a “music guide to 2018”. To...
The beginning of this year witnessed the much-awaited re-launch of Ethio-jazz father Hailu Mergia in the contemporary world jazz scenario. With the Awesome Tapes from Africa release Lala Belu, master keyboardist and accordionist Mergia conquered the stages of the most attended jazz festivals in Europe and USA during last summer...
With a nomadic upbringing and a yearning to speak her own truth, Meklit is an empowered songstress making big noise in the modern world of Ethio-jazz. Combining East Coast African jazz with her own brand of danceable soul, the end result is a dynamic mix of energy and courage in...
On Thursday the 22nd of March, Mulatu Astatke, widely known as the ‘father’ of Ethio-jazz, comes to the Barbican for a solo show alongside guests Fatima & Eglo Live Band, Ruby Rushton and Seb Rochford (Polar Bear). Whilst credited with inventing the genre of Ethio-jazz, it has still taken over...
