Shemonmuanaye

If Herbie Hancock had picked up the accordion and moved to Ethiopia instead of making “Rockit” in ’82 he’d have made something like this. Classically trained jazz pianist doing folk songs with Moog synthesizer, electric piano, drum machine, but the accordion takes the lead melody mostly. Since leaving Ethiopia and settling in Maryland as a cab driver, he’s never really returned to music, which is a shame because he’s a really talented player, though the drum machine hasn’t aged very well. Some of these songs sound better suited for an Atari game at an Addis Ababa arcade (seriously this tape came out in 85), but sometimes the Rhodes piano gets so damn funky you’d swear that was Stevie Wonder or Herbie himself.

RIYL music you hear during last call at a seedy bar in DC’s Little Ethiopia neighborhood (see also his soul-jazz work with the Wallias Band on Ethiopiques vol. 3)

1. (6:40) steady headnodding Middle Eastern bass groove with rambling accordion
2. (6:08) happy, sunshiney melodies and occasional cheesy synth
3. (5:56) rambling accordion over slow, heavily swung rhythms
4. (5:29)*** chill, funky, melancholy Moog melodies, sit back and nod along…
5. (5:46) light and carefree noodling with vocal rhythms
6. (6:32) slightly dark melodies but the Rhodes piano keeps it funky
7. (6:27) campy, fun and upbeat mood, springtime frolicking
8. (3:49) nocturnal strolling mood, lonely accordion and spooky bass
9. (4:43) jumpy upbeat ditty with lots of accordion, some vocal effects
10. (4:25) faster but similar to track 1
11. (3:24) slick and gooey bass groove with some warbling accordion