Banjaw Yishak
Love Songs Vol. 2
Label: Teranga Beat
Genre: Freestyle / Nu Jazz / Funk / Afro
Availability
- LP + MP3 COUPON €19.99 Dispatched within 5-10 working days
Other Formats
Love Songs Vol.2 was recorded in 1986 at Yishak’s house, while he was working for the Police Band in Eritrea. It was released by an Eritrean label on cassette and was also distributed in Ethiopia. However, due to the shaky political situation, Yishak was forbidden to travel anywhere outside his country, including Ethiopia. Consequently Love Songs Vol.2 remained a very obscure and neglected musical experiment. Until now Yishak has released 7 albums on cassette but, unlike many Ethiopian musicians, has never managed to reach a wider and international audience.
On this album Yishak Banjaw chose to play everything on a small Casio PT, “a keyboard for kids” as he proudly mentions. He recorded the whole album live, directly to his tape recorder. Although his main instrument was a Godwin keyboard, he actually preferred to rent the Casio from a friend, as he was blown away by the way it sounded. This choice alone reveals a genuine talent that dared to beyond what his colleagues were doing at that time.
The LP version of the album is a Deluxe Edition and comes with a high gloss laminated gatefold cover, a printed insert and an MP3 download code. The CD version includes a booklet with photos and liner notes outlining the story of this unique musician who carried the long tradition of Ethiopia into another level.