getatchew mekuria, the ex & friends Y'Anbessaw Tezeta (double CD, £15.75)

Quite unexpectedly, last year, while in Europe for several summer festivals, Getatchew Mekuria at the age of 76, expressed an urge to make one more recording - with The Ex. The result is stunning. Deep, old, classic melodies. Instrumental, sentitive and fragile. But also dancable, with up-tempo war-chants. He called it: "Y'Anbessaw Tezeta". 'In memory of the Lion'. Memories of 65 years of playing music. The second CD is of historical recordings, including Getatchew and the Instant Composers Pool, Haile Selassie 1 Theatre Orchestra (1960!) and a live performance with the Ex in Montreal. Includes a 40-page booklet.