The things we find when we renovate a chimney! Or when we open some dusty archive-boxes that had idled their way into the year 2022! What a surprise: a whole box with safely shrinkwrapped music cassettes...

The first ever Ethiopian release by Terp Records... YEAH!... Ten thousand copies made at the time... in early 2007... To sell and to give away... to friends, taxi-drivers, bus-drivers, hotel-staff, passers-by, restaurants... to celebrate and promote Getatchew's amazing saxophone music. We brought a small amount back with us to Amsterdam. And then, forgot about them.

Getatchew Mekuria is the most revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone. He is a real giant, both physically and musically. In his seventies, he is still in full voice, with his own, powerfully distinctive style of playing. The Ex invited him to play with the ICP at the 25th years Anniversary Party and the Convoy Tour, in 2004. Getatchew saw The Ex and also wanted to play with them. He was so inspired that he suggested to The Ex he should record his next CD with them. He gave them 10 solo saxophone versions of Ethiopian tunes. The beginning of a very successful cooperation.

Ethiopia Hagere

Digital album available from Bandcamp.