Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project Addis Ken (Origin 82949)

The quartet of brilliant musicians drew inspiration not only from across the planet but also from the depths of time.
Tomáš S. Pol'vka (Prague)

Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project's Addis Ken (New Day) is a deeply evocative journey where jazz becomes both vessel and invocation. Drawing from Ethiopian Jewish liturgical traditions, pan-African rhythms, and modern improvisational language, they fuse ancient memory with contemporary expression in music that feels timeless and urgent all at once. Berihun's commanding tenor and soprano saxophones are matched by his remarkable vocal presence—earthy, elastic, and prayerful—capable of moving seamlessly from guttural incantation to soaring, skyward cries. Joined by pianist Roy Mor, bassist David Michaeli, and drummer/percussionist Nitzan Birnbaum, the quartet operates with intuitive empathy, shaping grooves and atmospheres that breathe and expand around Berihun's impassioned lead. Moments such as the stirring "Behatitu Kadus Kadus," featuring vocalist Rudi Bainesay, reach directly into sacred terrain, while pieces like "Addis Ken" and "Jerusalem" balance reverence with forward momentum. Rich in texture, spirit, and blues-rooted intensity, Addis Ken is music as lived experience—honoring lineage while speaking vividly in the present tense.

"They are a joy to behold." Jerusalem Post

Track Listing:

  1 Tefila 8:32
  2 Des Des 4:13
  3 One for Roy 5:22
  4 Geshem 6:01
  5 Ya Zaman 2:42
  6 Addis Ken 3:49
  7 Ashrei Haish 6:20
  8 Behatitu Kadus Kadus 8:22
  9 Adam (Human) 4:13
10 Anchi Jazz 4:21
11 Jerusalem 6:52
12 Prayer from the Heart 3:35
13 Batti 5:54

All compositions by Abate Berihun, Roy Mor, David Michaeli & Nitzan Birnbaum (PRS for Music, ACUM), except: (3) by David Michaeli; (13) Traditional

Performers:

THE ADDIS KEN PROJECT is:
Abate Berihun - vocals, tenor sax, soprano sax
Roy Mor - piano
David Michaeli - upright bass
Nitzan Birnbaum - drums, percussion

Featuring Guest:
Rudi Bainesay - vocals (8,9)

Production Info:

Produced by Abate Berihun, Roy Mor, David Michaeli & Nitzan Birnbaum
Executive Producer: Roy Mor
Recorded by Lars Nilsson at Nilento Studio, Gothenburg, Sweden, except:
(8,9,13) recorded by Ronen Roth at Pluto Studios Tel Aviv, Israel
(8) Recording of Kessim (Ethiopian priests) by Moshe Bar-Yuda, Tel Aviv
Recorded in August 2021
Additional engineering & editing by Bill Tsur
Mixed & mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Studio, New York City
Band photos by Ronen Goldman
Back cover photo by Gaya Saadon
Cover design & layout by John Bishop