Ethiopian-American singer-composer and cultural activist Meklit has announced her upcoming "Ethio Blue" EP, an introspective six-song collection that draws from the artist's Afro-Caribbean and Ethiopian jazz roots to underscore the solemnity and celebration of oneself.
On Meklit Hadero's Forthcoming 'Ethio Blue' EP
The EP is set to be released on March 7 and features Meklit's most personal songwriting to date. Ahead of the release, the Ethio-Jazz artist has put out a single from the EP called "Antidote."
Meklit's recent song is an ode energized by a subtle bounce depicting self-nourished hope, as tempered by emotional wisdom, through an array of funk and jazzy arpeggios that the artist is known for.
"The music of 'Ethio Blue' was designed to "heal ourselves and nourish our hearts," writes Meklit. "I realized I need to make a record reminding us - myself included - of the power we have and the spirit of resiliency that can refresh us."
Behind the pensive grooviness as heard in Meklit's "Antidote," surely present in "Ethio Blue," is the mastery of her longtime band comprised of pianist/keyboardist Kibrom Birhane, saxophonist Howard Wiley, drummer Colin Douglas, and percussionist Marco Peris Coppola, alongside bassists Sam Bevan and Miles Jay.
The release will also feature legendary Macedonian clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski, alongside synth and keyboard instrumentation by LA-based singer-songwriter Sara Mulford. Also, Dan Wilson will contribute enthralling soundscapes on an OP-1 synth.
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Staying in Tune With Her Ethiopian Roots
Preceding the EP is Meklit's surging and groovy 2017 album "When the People Move, the Music Moves Too," headlined by songs like "Supernova" which exemplifies Meklit's assuredness in her culturally defined musicality and roots.
This particular project achieved critical acclaim through publications like Vibe, New York Magazine, and PopMatters.
One core story element that is present in this release and among her other projects is her origins as an Ethiopian immigrant, weaving her narrative with the musical flavors of jazz, blues, hip-hop, and soul.
"This music is Ethio-American, just like me. I find joy in the bigness of that space," she told Vibe.
In 2020, she launched "Movement," an extension of her story as an immigrant told through the mixed medium between a podcast, radio series, and live show hosted by Meklit herself. The program airs regularly on PRX's "The World" with a collective listener count of 2.5 million.
The live shows, on the other hand, are still ongoing with the next edition to be staged on Feb. 15 at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD. Joining her are Liberian-American soul singer Ceakaity and Honduras-based tap dancer Gerson Lanza.
As for her upcoming EP, "Ethio Blue," it is now available for pre-sale and presale here.
