Hailu Mergia – Yegle Nesh

In 1981 the Walias Band became the first Ethiopian group to tour the U.S.. Ethiopia was at this time under the control of the oppressive Derg dictatorship, responsible for the death of over half a million citizens. And so the jazz/hard funk outfit focused on instrumental music in an effort to avoid any lyrics the government might deem unacceptable.

When it came time to return home, keyboardist Hailu Mergia opted instead to remain in the States, settling in Washington, D.C. and studying music at Howard University. He took a job driving a taxi at Dulles International airport, further honing his skills on a portable keyboard between fares.

Mergia originally stopped performing in 1991, but thanks to the internet and a series of reissues of his early work, the 72 year old is enjoying something of a renaissance, even recording and releasing new music in the last few years. "Yegle Nesh," a groovy jam recorded in Berlin was released as a b-side in 2015 by the Philophon label.

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