released: march 20th, 2026

genre: ethio-jazz

from: london, uk

label: brownswood recordings

a few thoughts: ep of the year contender? i think so! as zena, producer, keyboardist and synth player yohan kebede and bassist/producer menelik traverse through lush and gorgeous landscapes informed by their ethiopian heritage, channelling the legends that have come before them. temesgen is 6-tracks long and contains some of the most immersive and stunning compositions i’ve heard in a while. the gentle and atmospheric “zena!” makes way for the groovy, bass and drum-led “my love your love”, a sprawling 6-minute masterpiece, with incredible synth melodies with intertwine with the incredible basslines and dynamic drumming throughout. it’s an emphatic cut, with a choir of vocals and just stunning synths throughout, just incredible from start to finish. the moody “kazanchis” is stunning as well, with its meandering synth leads that take a wonder through the warm and inviting composition. “it’s you (ante neh)” is another hypnotic moment on the album, featuring incredible vocals from meron t, whose vocals are as sweet as honey, over a gorgeous composition. “long time no speak” is another incredible moment on the album, a hypnotic piece with a groovy melody and when the drums kick in, ooooh my god! only complaint is that it’s not twice as long, because it fades out and into the closer “temsegen” too quickly, it feels. but oh my that final track is a gem too. it’s a colourful composition that is warm, inviting and utterly spellbinding. temesgen is a lush, richly textured ethio-jazz project that pays homage to the greats whilst challenging the youthful energy and experimentation of the london music scene.

the album: