Yohan Kebede, Kokoroko’s keyboardist and synth player has announced the launch of Zena; a new duo formed in conjunction with British bassist and producer Menelik (Muva Of Earth, Bill Laurance).
Born out of a mutual love and respect for the music of their shared Ethiopian heritage, Yohan Kebede and Menelik through Zena are seeking to redefine and reimagine Ethiopian music for a new generation. Building upon the roots and foundations laid by legendary Ethiopian musicians Haliu Mergia, Alemayehu Eshete and Mulatu Astatke, Zena fuses the haunting spirituality and earthiness of the ethio-jazz tradition with a modernity, sensuality and sense of disruption that is distinctly London.
Speaking on the circumstances that led to their formation, Yohan said: “Both myself and Menelik have spent years playing black music from all over the world, but seldom from Ethiopia, where we are both originally from. What began as a weekly linkup to play Hailu Mergia and Mulatu Astatke songs, eventually turned into an obsession with putting the world onto a different side of this music; we all know its unique and spiritual, but it can be sexy, rude and risky too”.
Enriching this new musical endeavour is the thoughtful distillation of their western and more alternative influences; garnishing their musical identity with the lush psychedelia of Khruangbin, the soulful grooves of Shuggie Otis, the experimental edge of D’Angelo and the dub-infused textures of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.
