ALI NEW BIYE by HANNA MEKONNEN

New Paradise Bangkok imprint' 'Eastern Connection' takes its lead from the two mix cds of the same name : the label will explore the connections between the east African coast, the Arab peninsula, south east Asia and all the sounds and cultures traversing the Indian ocean. Limited to 500 copiesFirst up, in collaboration wi'i'h addis ababa based label sheba sound, comes this brand new recording of ethiopian music that has its roots in tradition but is also about the current sounds being made by local groups the length and breadth of the country. For more infomation check : www.shebasound.com Recorded in country and then mixed in london, this first single features vocalist Hanna Mekonnen and her band, who hail from the mersa tribe in the amhara region in the northern part of ethiopia. With a tough bassline, punctuated by hand claps and kebero drums, hanna's vocal leads a hypnotic call and response underpinned by washint flute and the emblematic krar. Side b strips the track down to its basics, as collaborator nick manasseh works his dub magic to mesmerising effect. Anyone who caught Maft Sai & Chris Menist spinning on the Paradise Bangkok 2015 spring tour would have heard this being played out, as well as on nts and boiler room.