{"title":"Hailu Mergia and Dahlak Band","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Hailu Mergia and Dahlak Band\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHailu Mergia and the Dahlak Band emerged from the broader Ethiopian jazz scene that flourished in 1970s Addis Ababa around the Walias Band and other groups associated with the Hilton Hotel and the Soul Ekos Band. Mergia, a keyboardist and accordionist, immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s with members of the Walias Band, settling in Washington D.C. where he drove a taxi for decades while continuing musical work. Awesome Tapes from Africa launched a comprehensive reissue program of Mergia's 1970s and 1980s cassette recordings beginning in 2013, leading to a sustained late-career revival including new touring and recording.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHailu Mergia and the Dahlak Band's sound combines Ethiopian jazz (ethio-jazz), Ethiopian folk, world music, jazz fusion, and Afro-jazz with Mergia's distinctive electric piano, organ, accordion, and synthesizer work alongside the broader Ethiopian jazz aesthetic associated with Mulatu Astatke and the Walias Band.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTche Belew (1977, with Walias Band)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWede Harer Guzo (1978, with Dahlak Band) - reissued 2016 by Awesome Tapes from Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHailu Mergia \u0026amp; His Classical Instrument (1985) - reissued 2013\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLala Belu (2018, Awesome Tapes from Africa)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYene Mircha (2020, Awesome Tapes from Africa)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePioneer Works Swing (Live) (2022, Awesome Tapes from Africa)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAwesome Tapes from Africa pressings of the Hailu Mergia catalog have been issued in color variant editions through the label's comprehensive reissue program.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Hailu Mergia typically start with Wede Harer Guzo (1978, reissue) or Lala Belu (2018). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/jazz-vinyl-records\"\u003eJazz\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hailu-mergia-tche-belew-cassette","title":"Tche Belew CASSETTE","description":"\u003cp\u003eOut of nowhere comes this special recording of ethio-jazz, where the fabulous keyboardist and his band join the tradition with the current, sonic pulse, in a fascinating, solid bond that inevitably catches the eye.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540725969079,"sku":"210000067471","price":11.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/r-6423597-1423300985-3565.jpg?v=1781154009"},{"product_id":"hailu-mergia-pioneer-works-swing-live-vinyl","title":"Pioneer Works Swing (Live) LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eBeautifully captured at one of their fiery live shows at the venerable Brooklyn non-profit cultural center Pioneer Works on July 1, 2016.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540771123383,"sku":"210000084561","price":21.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/hialy.jpg?v=1781154207"},{"product_id":"hailu-mergia-tche-belew-vinyl","title":"Tche Belew LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eDozens of cherished recordings were made during the legendary “golden age” of Ethiopian music, an era stretching from the early 1960’s through the mid-1970’s.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540777119927,"sku":"210000026880","price":22.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/a2134851966-16.jpg?v=1781154231"},{"product_id":"hailu-and-dahlak-band-mergia-wede-harer-guzo-vinyl","title":"Wede Harer Guzo 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eKiller Ethiopian keyboard jams. Put this on, have a drink, and sit back.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540801138871,"sku":"210000026882","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/hailu.jpg?v=1781154315"},{"product_id":"hailu-mergia-and-his-classical-instrument-shemonmuanaye-vinyl","title":"and His Classical Instrument: Shemonmuanaye 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eHailu Mergia armed with his keyboard and drum machine. Perfect afternoon jams.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540853305527,"sku":"210000026872","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/hailu2.jpg?v=1781154500"},{"product_id":"hailu-mergia-pioneer-works-swing-live-cassette","title":"Pioneer Works Swing (Live) CASSETTE","description":"\u003cp\u003eHailu Mergia's \"Pioneer Works Swing (Live)\" cassette stands as a vibrant document of his integration of Ethiopian jazz and modern improvisation, expertly recorded at Brooklyn's Pioneer Works in 2016. The trio, featuring drummer Kenneth Joseph and bassist Alemseged Kebede, breathe fresh life into traditional pieces like \"Tizita\" while Mergia's seamless transitions between keyboards and accordion highlight his remarkable versatility. At 77, he continues to invigorate age-old melodies with his unique musical insight and creativity, demonstrating that true artistry knows no bounds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785620336823,"sku":"210000084550","price":11.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4246681-3039610.jpg?v=1783045483"},{"product_id":"hailu-mergia-lala-belu-cassette","title":"Lala Belu CASSETTE","description":"","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785620435127,"sku":"210000026873","price":8.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"hailu-and-dahlak-band-mergia-wede-harer-guzo-cd","title":"Wede Harer Guzo CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eWede Harer Guzo by Hailu Mergia and the Dahlak Band packs ten tracks of authentic African rhythms. Notable tracks include \"Embuwa Bey Lamitu\" and the title song. This CD is a direct choice for those seeking genuine international sounds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785638654135,"sku":"210000026881","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3353571.jpg?v=1783045518"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/hailu-mergia-and-dahlak-band.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}