Mellesse, Muluken - Muluken Mellesse With The Dahlak Band (2026 Reissue)

An absolute masterpiece of the Ethiopian groove scene - the swan song of swinging Addis: Muluken Mellesse With The Dahlak Band.

The vinyl LP was at the heart of the 'Ethiopiques 31' compilation [tracks 2 to 11] and was one of the very last vinyl records ever released in Ethiopia. The album leaves a clear idea for posterity of the level of sophistication and mastery that modern Ethiopian music had achieved, before being crushed under the Stalino-military heel of the Derg - as the bloody revolution that was unfolding came to be called.

It was three tracks by Muluken that served as the opener for 'Ethiopiques 1' more than 25 years ago. Seven more tracks appeared on 'Ethiopiques 3' and '13', all accompanied by The Equators, which was soon to become the Dahlak Band. The first track, Hedetch alu, also the very first piece that Muluken ever recorded, left audiences stunned and amazed. Reflecting the singer's extremely young age (he was just 17 at the time), this angelic voice mystified many, who thought they were in fact listening to a feminine voice.