Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument: Shemonmuanaye CASSETTE

Hailu Mergia's solo album Shemonmuanaye first came out in Ethiopia on Kaifa before Awesome Tapes From Africa reissued it, pulling the former Walias Band keyboardist out of a D.C. taxi and back onto stages worldwide. Ethiopian jazz-funk built on warm, groove-heavy keys and accordion, worth owning for the reissue story alone.