Yene Mircha lands on March 27th courtesy of Brian Shimkovitz’s revered Awesome Tapes From Africa label.
Ethiopian jazz icon Hailu Mergia has announced the release of a new full-length album.
Entitled Yene Mircha – meaning ‘my choice’ in Amharic – Mergia’s new album follows the notable success of 2018’s Lala Belu and marks the musician’s second new project released through revered label Awesome Tapes From Africa.
Whilst reconvening with frequent collaborators and core live band members Kenneth Joseph and Alemseged Kebede, the six comprising songs of Yene Mircha see Mergia explore further textural depths through contributions from mesenqo player Setegn Atenaw, Walias Band saxophonist Moges Habte and more.
Preceding the album’s full release ‘Abichu Nega Nega’ exudes a palpable energy as driving, fill-laden drum and bass interplay paves way for deft keyboard licks and a singular, hypnotic mantra channeled through guitar to unfold in the space that remains above.
Tune in below.
Yene Mircha
01 Semenna Debub
02 Yene Mircha
03 Bayine Lay Yihedal
04 Abichu Nega Nega
05 Yene Abeba
06 Shemendefer
Yene Mircha releases on March 27th via Awesome Tapes From Africa. Pre-order the album here and catch Mergia live at London’s Naked City festival on July 25th.
Words by Sam Wilkinson.
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Fruit and Grooves Collective 