Listen to the Joyful Ethio-Jazz of Legend Hailu Mergia’s New LP Yene Mircha

There was always a risk that the amazing story of Hailu Mergia’s career (seriously, if you don’t know it, google him) would overshadow his amazing musical talent. But his chops, even after 20 years of anonymity when he was a cab driver in D.C., were clearly not diminished when he rolled out the outstanding LP  Lala Belu a few years back. A worldwide tour – including a great set at the Cedar in Minneapolis – brought him the attention he should have had the entire time. Now a full-time musical again, he is back with a new LP Yene Mircha that builds off his previous catalog. Touching on a myriad of genres, it is a joyful, funky collection that showcases that his late career resurgence is no joke. Hop in for the funky jazz keyboards, stay for the soulful blues and pop excursions that make him a king of the ethio-jazz genre. This album is overflowing with energy and the kind of music that brings light directly into your headphones. If it is your first time listening to Mergia, enjoy this album and then dig backwards. The music, and story, are outstanding.

Listen and buy the record below. Hopefully when the world opens back up we will see him back here again for another concert.