Hermon Mehari & Tony Tixier Soul Song Vinyl LP 2025

1. Maimoun
2. The Black Messiah
3. Fireside Improvisation 1
4. This Is Our Fantasy
5. Poem for the Oppressed
6. Fireside Improvisation 2
7. Hello to the Wind
8. Laini

In June 2024, the two musicians, who had been working for fifteen years on numerous albums and collaborations, and whose musical understanding had continued to be forged in clubs, festivals, and on recordings, met again for a duet at the TOC-TOC festival in the Puisaye region, where Antoine Rajon was a collaborator. At dusk on November 12, 2024, the duo played eight tracks in a single, direct take on a 33-minute magnetic tape. Four unusual cover versions were carefully chosen. 'Maimoun' is a composition emblematic of pianist Stanley Cowell's style, also recorded by Marion Brown. George Duke's 'The Black Messiah' was captured live by Cannonball Adderley's band on an album of the same name but has never been released as a studio version. 'Hello to the Wind' was created by Bobby Hutcherson in 1969, sung by Eugene McDaniels. Finally, 'Laini,' dedicated by the great Martinican pianist Marius Cultier to one of his daughters, is a mazurka dear to Tony's heart.