Unheard sounds from Addis Ababa. The Teranga Beat label is doing god's work here with the first ever international release by Yishak Benjaw. Outside of his native Ethiopia, the brilliant composer/keyboard player remains unknown, but this proper vinyl release of Love Songs Vol. 2 hopes to change that. Recorded straight to tape in 1986 on a Casio-PT1, the songs featured here are a unique and innovative take on classical Ethiopian songs. The lo-fi quality and distinctive sound of the Casio give a hypnotic and psychedelic quality to these traditional tunes, almost as if they were Minimal Wave gems transported from another planet! Listen for yourself on "Engudaye Nesh," "Fikrehoy Temekrehi," "Segno Sra Allebign," and more. Comes in gatefold sleeve with extensive liner notes and the amazing story of how this record came to be. Download code included, recommended.

• gatefold sleeve
• printed insert
• digital download included
• music label: Teranga Beat 2016

reviewed by thumb piano 11/2016