uKanDanZ - Yetchalal

Review by J Carlos Sanchez

Album Review: Yetchalal by uKanDanZ – A Sonic Safari You Didn’t Know You Needed If you’re the kind of listener who thinks “genre-blending” is just a fancy way to say “confusing,” then buckle up, because Yetchalal by uKanDanZ will either blow your mind or make you question everything you thought you knew about music. Released in 2013, this French-born gem straddles Folk, World, Jazz, Rock, and Experimental like it’s no big deal. It’s like they took all the instruments from three continents, threw them into a blender, and hit “puree.” And somehow? It works. Let’s talk tracks. With 25 songs on the album (yes, TWENTY-FIVE), there’s plenty to unpack here, but two stood out for me like that one weird uncle at family reunions—memorable, slightly off-kilter, and impossible to ignore. First up: “Aykèdashem Lebé.” This track feels like walking into an Ethiopian coffee shop where someone accidentally spilled avant-garde jazz records all over the floor. Asnaké Guèbrèyès’ vocals soar with an ethereal grit that makes you want to both cry and dance at the same time—a rare combo, trust me. The saxophone work by Lionel Martin adds layers so rich you’d think butter was involved. It’s chaotic yet controlled, like trying to herd cats while wearing tap shoes. I couldn’t tell you what the lyrics mean (Google Translate failed me), but honestly? Doesn’t matter. The vibe speaks louder than words ever could. Then there’s “Mic-mac à Mèqèlè,” which sounds exactly how its title looks—messy, playful, and unapologetically bold. Damien Cluzel’s electric guitar riffs are sharp enough to cut glass, while Guilhem Meier’s drumming keeps things grounded like a musical anchor. There’s something delightfully unhinged about this track—it’s as if someone handed the band a bunch of random instruments and said, “Go nuts.” And boy, do they deliver. Halfway through, you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re listening to a protest song, a party anthem, or maybe just the soundtrack to a very artsy heist movie. Either way, it sticks with you. The production creds deserve a shout-out too. Hats off to Christophe Chavanon and Cédric Béron for mixing this sonic kaleidoscope without losing any of its wild charm. And props to Florent Decornet and Jack Garnier for the artwork—it’s as colorful and eclectic as the music itself. So, would I recommend Yetchalal? Absolutely. But fair warning: this isn’t background music for your next dinner party unless your guests are cool with debating whether “La Chamelle” should be classified as avant-garde or just plain bonkers. Listening to this album feels like taking a road trip with no map—you never know where you’ll end up, but the journey is half the fun. Final thought: If aliens landed tomorrow and asked us to explain human creativity, I’d hand them this album. They might not understand it, but hey, neither do we—and that’s kinda the point.

Artist: uKanDanZ
Album: Yetchalal

France

2012

Rating: 4.88

Review
About Album
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Tracks
Video
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Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
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Credits
Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: ukandanz-yetchalal.zip

MP3 size: 113.4 mb
FLAC size: 961.2 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
La Chamelle
Mic-Mac A Mèqèlè	4:39
Tezalègn Yètentu	3:24
Addis Abèba Bété	05:21
Mèla Mèla
Aykèdashem Lebé
Datsun Sèfèr	01:40
Tezalègn Yètentu	03:24
Addis Abèba Bété
Mèdinana Zèlèssègna	06:20
Mèla mèla	03:45
Bèlomi Bènna	03:09
Datsun Sèfèr
Bati/Zènèbèwèrq	05:38
Mic-mac à Mèqèlè	04:38
Mèdinana Zèléssègna
Sènaderé	05:28
Etu Gèla	03:36
Bèlomi Bènna
Sènaderé	5:29
Sèmennawèrq	2:06
Sema
Etu Gèla	3:37
Aykèdashem Lebé	06:11
Sèmennawèrq	02:06
Wub Nat
Bati / Zènèbèwèrq	5:39

Video

SEMA (Ethiosonic) Video Clip by uKanDanZ

uKanDanZ - Belomi Benna (clip)

Images

télécharger l'album uKanDanZ - Yetchalal

Album herunterladen uKanDanZ - Yetchalal

Catalog Numbers

GNOUGN8
UKDZ 1
V001/1
860230

Labels

Gnougn Records
Buda Musique
Ouch! Records

Listen online

kuunnella verkossa
ascolta in linea
ouvir online
online anhören
écouter en ligne
online luisteren
escuchar en línea
lyssna på nätet
lytte på nettet

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Compilation
Limited Edition
CD
Album
Promo
2 × Vinyl
Reissue
Stereo

Companies

Role	Company
Recorded At	PWL Studios, Lyon
Mixed At	PWL Studios, Lyon
Mastered At	PWL Studios, Lyon
Pressed By	MPO
Made By	MPO
Distributed By	Socadisc

Credits

Role	Credit
Artwork	Florent Decornet
Drums	Guilhem Meier
Electric Guitar	Damien Cluzel
Keyboards	Fred Escoffier
Mastered By	Christophe Chavanon
Mixed By	Christophe Chavanon, Cedric Béron, Damien Cluzel
Producer	uKanDanZ
Recorded By	Christophe Chavanon, Cedric Béron
Tenor Saxophone	Lionel Martin
Vocals	Asnaké Gèbrèyès
Design	Jack Garnier
Guitar	Damien Cluzel
Photography By	Christophe Charpenel
Cover	Christophe Charpenel
Liner Notes	Francis Falceto

Notes

Recorded, mixed and masterd at PWL studio in Lyon between March and June 2012
300 Copies.
Recorded, mixed and premasterd at WL studio (analog recording) in Lyon between March and June 2012
Mastered [...] (Digital Edge)
made in France
Released in a cardboard sleeve.
Recorded, mixed and masterd at PWL studio (analog recording) in Lyon between March and June 2012
First complete vinyl reissue of Yetchalal
500 copies
Packaging: clear tray jewel case with 12-page booklet

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (Side A): MPO GNOUGN 8 A
Matrix / Runout (Side B): MPO GNOUGN 8 B
Rights Society: SACEM SDRM SACD SGDL
Barcode: 3 341348 602301
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L039 09/29/12 02:10:31 PM
Matrix / Runout: CA UKDZ1 @
Distribution Code: SC870
Mould SID Code: IFPI 1258

About uKanDanZ

uKanDanZ... a unique style, an unusual meeting between an electric quartet and Asnake Guebreyes,charismatic lead singer originates from the vibrant music scene in Addis Abeba. Their music is inspired by traditional and popular Ethiopian songs. uKanDanZ has a real crunch energy. Between rock, jazz, noise...

Real Name

uKanDanZ

Name Vars

ˮʫʕ˳ʕȵ

Members

Asnake Gebreyes
Lionel Martin
Guilhem Meier
Damien Cluzel
Frédéric Escoffier
Benoît Lecomte

ukandanz.com

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the album *Yetchalal* by uKanDanZ is a wild mix of genres and styles? Released in 2013 in France, it blends Folk, Jazz, Rock, and African Traditions with Experimental and Avantgarde touches. The band worked with a bunch of talented people, like Asnaké Guèbrèyès on vocals and Lionel Martin on tenor saxophone. Fun fact: the album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by multiple people, including Christophe Chavanon and Cédric Béron. It’s like a musical journey where no two tracks feel the same!

Comments

ferpwalker

2025-03-11

Hey ! Vous êtes sur la Playlist "Lyon World Music" de MixMac !
N'hésitez pas à m'envoyer vos prochaines vidéos.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4fO0xkQT4nH0nIJ0s8HsyIYldmas4AOo