V/A Terrie Ex / Xavier Charles : Addis

Description

Seven duo improvisations recorded in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia in room 103 at Baro Hotel (Piazza) and Bateau Ivre (Kazanchis).

The Ex has a yearly project in which they invite different adventurous musicians to Ethiopia, to do concerts, workshops and various collaborations with local musicians. On earlier trips, in 2002 and 2004 we noticed that there was a big demand for 'new' music. Young Ethiopian musicians were telling us that apparently most people from outside Ethiopia still thought that the main issue in Ethiopia were problems of poverty and hunger. But in fact there is a poverty of information and a big hunger for it!! From all the new and improvised music festivals we have played, we have connections with many musicians.

In May 2009 we went with Silent Block from France who perform with tables full of self-made instruments and experimental electronica. Xavier Charles is one of the members. He is also an incredible clarinet improviser. Suddenly we found ourselves playing in a room in the Baro Hotel and outside in the garden of the Bateau Ivre bar. An adventure. 'Addis' means 'new'. That's how it felt.

Terrie Ex, Wormer 2010