Hailu Mergia - Yene Mircha, album review

Globalised

An eclectic and varied set of six tracks, this is a brief but globalised jazz, funk and reggae collection. That reggae groove gets its percussive showcase on third Bayine Lay Yihedal, and Ethiopian/African roots mix with lounge organ/keyboards as multi-instrumentalist Hailu Mergia showcases himself and support. Opener Semen Ena Debub is such a potent setter as the merge of accordion and mesenqo [a single-stringed lute] delights so distinctively - would have enjoyed much more of this. The keyboard’s calm walk through Yene Abebagets gets a bass accompaniment to pulse up the step, whereas second track Yene Mircha, which begins as peacefully, bursts through with slick guitar and horn anthems.

Here’s the trio and support to celebrate the whole ensemble and their playing:

Hailu Mergia — Keyboards, Accordion, Melodica, Vocals
Kenneth Joseph — Drums
Alemseged Kebede — Bass Guitar

Semen Ena Debub: Setegn Atenaw, mesenqo; Abraham Rezene Habte, guitar. Yene Mircha: Moges Habte, saxophone; Ben Hall, trombone; Mike Ault, guitar. Abichu Nega Nega: Tsehay Kassa, vocals. Shemendefer: Mike Ault, guitar; Tsehay Kassa, vocals.

You can listen and get here.