It’s one of those stories that comes along every now and then: old recordings are rediscovered, leading to a collaboration between cultures and generations, and a new audience is found. This is what happened after the release of Vol. 14: Negus of Ethiopian Sax, one of the finest of the ‘Ethiopiques’ series issued by the Buda Musique label. Gétatchèw Mèkurya is in his seventies now, but it was these recordings from 1972 that led to his collaboration with the legendary Amsterdam avantgarde punk band The Ex. Mèkurya first visited Europe in 2004, when he was invited by The Ex to join them in celebrating their 25th year. They have been inseparable ever since, although Mèkurya returns home after each tour. Together they recorded Moa Anbessa, an astonishing album considered by many to be the Dutch band’s best to date.
The Ex are a four-piece famed for their fierce creativity and free thinking, and one whose each new step is as surprising as the last. This concert will also be the first time Ethiopian music has appeared at the festival, thus adding yet another bright star to Druga Godba’s African constellation. (And you won’t need to be told twice to look out for the amazing Ethiopian dancer in among the guests).
Getatchew Mekuria – saxophone
Andy Moor – guitar
Terrie Hessels – guitar
Katrin Bornefeld – drums
Colin McLean – bass
Arnold De Boes – voice
Brodie West – saxophone
Joost Buis – trombone
Xavier Charles – clarinet
Melaku Belay – dance
Discography:
Moa Anbessa (Terp Records, 2006)