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Newly unearthed by Hailu Mergia, the first full length album by The Walias Band. Recorded and released in 1975 by the band's own label ! From their genesis as members of the Venus club in-house band in the early 70s, Hailu Mergia and the Walias Band were at the forefront of the musical revolution during an era where modern instruments and foreign styles superseded the traditional fare to become the staple sound of Ethiopia. No one would argue that the Walias were the trailblazing powerhouse of modern Ethiopian music. They were the first band to form independently without affiliation to a theatre house, a club or a hotel; unprecedented and risky as they had to raise all funding for expenses by themselves including buying equipment. They were the first to release full instrumental albums, considered to be commercially unviable at the time. They opened their own recording studio, with band members Melake Gebre and Mahmoud Aman doubling as technical buffs during sessions. They were also the first independent band to tour abroad. In short, they were the pioneers every band tried to emulate; some more successfully than others. Odds are, any Ethiopian over the age of 35 who had access to TV or radio by the early 90s, will instantly recognize the sound of Walias. What is not a given is, how many would actually identify the band itself. Barely a day went by without hearing the Walias either in the background on radio or as an accompaniment to various programs on TV. This Tezeta album, the band’s second recording, released in 1975, is one of those that have been impossible to find for nearly three decades. Sourced by Awesome Tapes From Africa and expertly remastered by Jessica Thompson, its unique and funky renditions of standards and popular songs of the day are so quintessentially Walias, flavorful and evocative. Hailu's melodic organ, unashamedly front and center in every track, makes even the complex pieces accessible. 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.

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Release Date

09.07.2021

Cat No

ATFA 041LP

Tracklist

Track 1
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Afro Jazz
Cassette
Hailu Mergia
11.95 €
Lala Belu Awesome Tapes From Africa
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Afro Music
Cassette
Hailu Mergia
11.95 €
Lala Belu Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Jazz
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LP + mp3
Hailu Mergia
21.95 €
Yene Mircha Awesome Tapes From Africa
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Afro Music
LP + mp3
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Hailu Mergia
21.95 €
Yene Mircha Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Jazz
CD
Hailu Mergia
14.95 €
Yene Mircha Awesome Tapes From Africa
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Afro Music
CD
Hailu Mergia
14.95 €
Yene Mircha Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Jazz
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LP + mp3
Hailu Mergia
24.95 €
Lala Belu Awesome Tapes From Africa
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Afro Music
LP + mp3
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Hailu Mergia
24.95 €
Lala Belu Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Beat
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7"
Hailu Mergia
9.95 €
Musicawi Silt Awesome Tapes From Africa
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7"
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Hailu Mergia
9.95 €
Musicawi Silt Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Funk
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7"
Hailu Mergia
10.95 €
Hailu / Yegle Nesh Philophon
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7"
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Hailu Mergia
10.95 €
Hailu / Yegle Nesh Philophon
Afro Beat
Cassette
Gibraltar Drakus
12.95 €
Hommage A Zanzibar Awesome Tapes From Africa
Add To Cart
Afro Music
Cassette
Gibraltar Drakus
12.95 €
Hommage A Zanzibar Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Beat
LP
Gibraltar Drakus
24.95 €
Hommage A Zanzibar Awesome Tapes From Africa
Add To Cart
Afro Music
LP
Gibraltar Drakus
24.95 €
Hommage A Zanzibar Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Jazz
Cassette
Hailu Mergia
11.95 €
Lala Belu Awesome Tapes From Africa
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Afro Music
Cassette
Hailu Mergia
11.95 €
Lala Belu Awesome Tapes From Africa
tba
LP
DJ Black Low
24.95 €
Uwami 2 Awesome Tapes From Africa
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LP
DJ Black Low
24.95 €
Uwami 2 Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Jazz
2-LP
Pape Nziengui Et Son Groupe
30.95 €
Kadi Yombo Awesome Tapes From Africa
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Afro Music
2-LP
Pape Nziengui Et Son Groupe
30.95 €
Kadi Yombo Awesome Tapes From Africa
Afro Beat
LP
Ephat Mujuru & The Spirit Of The People
21.95 €
Mbavaira Awesome Tapes From Africa
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Afro Music
LP
Ephat Mujuru & The Spirit Of The People
21.95 €
Mbavaira Awesome Tapes From Africa
Boogie
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12''
Michael Wycoff
21.95 €
Looking Up To You / Diamond Real (2024 Repress) Be With
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Disco
12''
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Michael Wycoff
21.95 €
Looking Up To You / Diamond Real (2024 Repress) Be With
Afro Music
3-LP
Various
31.95 €
Ghana Special Vol. 2 Soundway
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Afro Music
3-LP
Various
31.95 €
Ghana Special Vol. 2 Soundway
80ies Funk
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LP
Various
24.95 €
Instrumental Dubs #1 ('24 repress) Isle Of Jura
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Funk/Soul
LP
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Various
24.95 €
Instrumental Dubs #1 ('24 repress) Isle Of Jura
Jazz
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LP
Gianni Brezzo
22.95 €
Filigrani Jakarta
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LP
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Gianni Brezzo
22.95 €
Filigrani Jakarta
US House
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2-LP
Jovonn
24.95 €
Goldtones Clone Classic Cuts
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House
2-LP
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Jovonn
24.95 €
Goldtones Clone Classic Cuts
Disco
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12''
Galxtc
15.95 €
Life Is A Mirror Space Grapes
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Disco
12''
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Galxtc
15.95 €
Life Is A Mirror Space Grapes