Shemonmuanaye (2LP)

Format: 2LP  Label: Awesome Tapes From Africa  Year: 2013  Media Condition: New  Sleeve/Cover Condition: New  TRACKS: A1 Shemonmuanaye A2 Sewnetuwa B1 Laloye B2 Wegene B3 Hari Meru Meru C1 Amrew Demkew C2 Anchin Alay Alegn C3 Ambasel D1 Hebo Lale D2 Belew Beduby D3 Shilela Originally released in 1985. In 1985 master accordionist and legendary Ethiopian bandleader/arranger/keyboardist Hailu Mergia released "Shemonmuanaye" as a private-label cassette. It was Mergia's first recording since emigrating from Ethiopia to the DC area in the early 1980's, and last before settling into a life of relative anonymity as a local airport cab driver. In a nostalgic effort to bring back the vintage accordion sound of his youth, Mergia gave Ethiopian music a sonic makeover. Mergia was already celebrated for his work with the groundbreaking, industry-shifting Addis Ababa ethio-jazz and funk outfit the Walias Band, he pressed forward using new tools to reimagine the popular so