Celebrating a successful few years of transcendental touring, D.C.-via-Ethiopia keys legend Hailu Mergia is starting off 2017 right with a new full-length available for pre-order on Awesome Tapes From Africa (awesome). It’s up now on the label’s Bandcamp, where everything is 20% off today only (very awesome, indeed). So head over there now! Just follow the sound of the electronic organ and use the discount code “Cyber2017;” you can’t miss it.
Many will know Mergia’s name from his recent career resurgence (due in large part to ATFA itself) or from his work in the late Walias Band/Zula Band collective (wow: historically-awesome). Those native to the District, however, might know him as the cab driver who debated with you for hours over analogue v. digital synthesis (wow: ahistorically awesome!). When the maestro hasn’t been behind the wheel of a big yellow taxi cab — or popping up on your Lyft app — he’s been recording stellar and funky jazz music to drive your earbuds to celestial new destinations.
After three reissues with the now-quite-popular ATFA, Lala Belu is his first brew of all-new music for the label (just straight-up, every DAY awesome). From ATFA: “HIS MUSIC IS FILLED WITH INSPIRATION AND BEAUTY, IT NEVER GETS BORING FOR ME TBH.” Well-said. The new record ships out February 16, 2018 and features Tony Buck on drums and Mike Majkowski on the upright bass (umm, how awesome is that?).
Stream a song from the new 12-inch below, and be sure to pre-order while it’s still on sale! Ugh. Seriously, this cannot get any more awesome. I probably should just stop mentioning it.
Lala Belu tracklisting:
01. Tizita
02. Addis Nat
03. Gum Gum
04. Anchihoye Lene
05. Lala Belu
06. Yefikir Engurguro
More about: Hailu Mergia
