What a splendid album! If you haven't heard any of the other albums by this amazing, underrated Ethiopian musician, get them all, or try this one for starters. Hailu Mergia has a smooth organ style this is both haunting and mesmerizing. Listen to this music and let it take you to a different place! Atmospheric does not even begin to describe this enchanting sound.
Amazon's editorial review is pretty much what you get for liner notes inside the gatefold CD cover, although a bit more detail about these recordings is added. As the notes explain, this album is basically the result of three days of rehearsal sessions back in 1978. While Mergia's distinctive organ playing dominates the mix, the Dahlak Band adds some nifty guitar, sax and trumpet licks, along with a very steady rhythm section. Would have loved to have heard this band play a small club back in the day!
The hardcore audiophiles will have a fit because these recordings were taken from old cassette recordings, but they've cleaned it all up satisfactorily and it sounds quite good. Plus, the main thing is the flow and the vibe, and this album flows splendidly Listen and love it!
Fantastic African Hailu and his keyboard/accordian rock ..... well, not rock. Jazz? No, not Jazz. Not ..... It is fantastic African Hailu. That's what it is! If you only check out one track from this, try Anchin Kfu Ayinkash. Five and a half minutes of blissed out ..... bliss. Listening to it as I write and I love everyone right now ..... yes, even you!