Ethiopian keyboard and accordion maestro Hailu Mergia has experienced a remarkable career resurgence in the past few years. Since the reissues of his spacey, synth-laden Hailu Mergia and His Classical Instrument and the seminal Ethio-jazz masterpiece Tche Belew, Mergia has toured Europe several times, performed at major festivals and theaters across North America—including Radio City Music Hall supporting Beirut — and recently made his Australian debut. Now, while still handling his day job as an airport taxi driver in Washington, D.C., Mergia is preparing the international release of Wede Harer Guzo, a tape he made with the soulful Dahlak Band in 1978.
“Beautifully chilled…very fine indeed” : Mojo
“Wonderful” : Uncut
“Will attract the late night listeners it deserves” : Crack Magazine
“Further amplifies Mergia’s justly growing stature” : The Wire
“A trove of such dazzling quality” : Irish Times
“Infectious and timeless” : London In Stereo
“Ethiopian soul at its most pure and heartfelt” : FACT
“Captures a collective joy” : Test Pressing