Hailu Mergia – Shemonmuanaye (2xLP)

Already celebrated for the pioneering ethio-jazz of Addis Ababa's funk band Walias Band, Mergia perfected contemporary techniques to polish up the sound of yesteryear. A Moog synthesiser, a Rhodes electric organ and a drum machine made the harmonic sound of his accordion even richer; Mergia created elegantly arranged, ghostly psychedelic instrumentals. The songs were based on traditional and modern Ethiopian songs, in which Mergia fantastically blended Amhara, Tigrinya and Oromo melodies with flavours from around the world, jazz and blues, creating a lush, futuristic soundscape. Mergia balanced the melodic form of Ethiopian music with analogue synth elements entwined around minimal rhythm tracks.