Dead Moon's final album Dead Ahead reissued with improved sound

Get a remastered copy of Dead Moon's rippin' 2004 album Dead Ahead on vinyl from Mississippi Records while you can. 

Here's the scoop...

Dead Moon's final album, Dead Ahead – originally released in 2004 on Tombstone Records – has been remastered with radically improved MONO sound and reissued on glorious black vinyl for the first time ever by Mississippi Records. "Dead Ahead" is filled with all time great rockers and ballads. Some of the legendary band's heaviest work. The world's greatest rock band's swan song is not wasted - dark corridors are explored and conquered. Remastered from the original tapes with amazing new dynamics and the murk reduced to the noise layer it was meant to be. Get it via Bandcamp right here. Have a listen to Dead Moon's Dead Ahead following the tracklisting below. 

Dead Moon – Dead Ahead

1. Signs of Departure 02:02

2. One World 03:30

3. An Occupation With You 03:10

4. Dawning of the Dead 03:04

5. Already Gone 03:39

6. War is Blind 03:15

7. Go My Way 02:34

8. On and On 03:24

9. The 99's 02:39

10. All Sold Out 03:18

11. In the Waiting 03:24

Golden age Ethio gem by Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret just reissued

Aselefech Ashine & Getenesh Kebret are backed by the Army Band for the Teshome Sisay-produced "Beauties" album originally issued in 1976.

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On this 1976 gem of a record, Aselefech Ashine and Getenesh Kebret’s voices intertwine in close harmony, the two “beauties” singing in duet across 10 gorgeous tracks. The Army Band, which backed greats like Tlahoun Gesesse and Mahmoud Ahmed, brings Mulatu-esque minor-key piano runs, interlocking percussion, and rock-steady basslines. Arranger Teshome Sisay’s flute winds through the compositions, tying together gloriously woozy horns. The greatest elements of Ethiopia’s Golden Age combine here, in one of the final records of the era. 

Aselefech and Getenesh were raised in the bustling cosmopolitan world of late-empire Addis Ababa. They met at the Hager Fikr Theatre, the legendary center for art and cultural learning in Addis, where they were trained in centuries-old vocal techniques as well as acting. 

BEAUTIES was a hit, selling out upon its release in 1976. But its glory was short-lived. The Derg Regime was imposing strict crackdowns on music and artistic expression. Targeted as allies of the deposed Emperor Haile Selassie, the artists (and most musicians) had to keep a low profile. For two decades, nearly all recording and live music would cease in Ethiopia. This is one of the last great releases of the Ethiopian Golden Age. 

Though she was never able to release a second record, Aselefech Ashine is proud of her work. From her home in Addis she says: “I have full confidence that this album will be popular and a hit when it is released again now!” 

This album, long in the works, is released by Mississippi Records in collaboration with the artists and the mighty Domino Sound of New Orleans. Newly remastered vinyl comes in old-school “tip-on” jacket with lyric translations, photos, and an interview with Aselefech Ashine.

Get a reissue of the rare Beauties album by Aselefech Ashine and Getenesh Kebret via Bandcamp right  here. Have a listen below. 

Hypnotic early 60s gems of Tanzania's Kiko Kids Jazz reissued

Mississippi Records have collected the rare Mzuri label singles by Tabora's Kiko Kids Jazz for an entrancing 12-track comp.

Here's the scoop from Mississippi Records...

Formed in the mid-1950s, Kiko Kids Jazz created a stunningly unique sound amidst an explosion of Tanzanian guitar bands in the years leading up to the country’s independence. Defined by Salim Zahoro’s warm voice and the heavy tremolo of his electric mandolin, Kiko Kids Jazz incorporated their love of early acoustic Cuban Son, rhythms from their home town of Tabora, the exciting and competitive scene of acoustic/electric dance bands in Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi, the poetic strains of Taarab and Arabic music, and the tranquility of Tanzania. 

The results are both comforting and intriguing: expressive, strung out melodies on Salim’s mandolin and subtly complex percussion lock into deep grooves of thumping acoustic bass, jerky rhythm guitars, and Cuban-style trumpet breaks. The kind of sounds that can be approached from several rhythmic angles, until it all gels in the mind and soul. 

Despite being one of the most beloved and innovative bands of their time, the 12-track Tanganyika Na Uhuru compilation is the first Kiko Kids Jazz LP ever released, consisting of our favourite songs from 1962 and 1965, all beautifully remastered from original tapes and pressings. We were fortunate to work with bandleader Salim Zahoro before his passing at age 85, shortly before the completion of this record. 

Recommended for fans of Cuban Marimba Band, the Zanzibara and Ethiopiques series, Lipa Kodi Ya City Council, Original Music, etc. 

Produced in collaboration with Salim Zahoro (1936-2021), Werner Graebner (Jahazi Media) and Hamisi Delgado. Licensed from Mzuri Records. Restoration and Mastering by Michael Kieffer. 

Get a copy of Kiko Kids Jazz compilation Tanganyika Na Uhuru via Bandcamp right here. Listen to "Sili Sishbi" below.