An impossible to find album… we’ve never even seen an original copy before! Hailu Mergia & the legendary Walias Band now reissued thanks to Awesome Tapes from Africa, originally only available on cassette, we are delighted to get hold of this on LP and Cassette.

”Odd’s are any Ethiopian over the age of 35 who had access to TV or radio by the early 90’s, will instantly recognise the sound of the Walias”.

”…flavourful and evocative. Hailu’s melodic organ unashamedly front and centre in every track, makes even the complex pieces accessible. The stirringly distinct opening riff from ‘Zengadyw’ took me right back to a certain time in my youth. Deliciously vivid, it’s a time capsule in and of itself. ‘Gumegum’ is a definite favourite. The vocal version, most popularly sang by legendary Hirut Bekele, tells of unrequited love - an over-exploited theme in music of the time. ‘Tezeta’ is a traditional anthem of nostalgia that doing a version of it was, for a long time, a rite of passage for any aspiring musician. ‘Endegena’ (To Love Again), is a sleepy ballad by Mahmoud Ahmed getting a zesty uplift here. ‘Ou-Ou-Ta’ is one of the signature songs of the greatest of them all Tilahun Gessesse”.

“Profoundly engaging; it’s an immersive trip down memory lane for those of us getting reacquainted with it, while also an enthralling and gratifying experience for fresh ears”

Extract written by Tessema Tadele (taken from sleeve notes).