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Brownswood Recordings

ZENA - TEMESGEN

ZENA
TEMESGEN
Releasing digitally on March 20th via Brownswood Recordings

ZENA, the contemporary ethio-jazz duo from London comprised of producer, keyboardist and synth player Yohan Kebede and bassist/producer Menelik, have released their long-awaited debut EP ‘TEMESGEN’.

Taking its name from the Amharic word which means “Thank God”, ‘TEMESGEN’ is a six-track aural odyssey that balances uncompromising experimentation with a deep sense of home, comfort, and exploration. Moving fluidly between tradition and forward-thinking sound design, the project reshapes the contours of Ethiopian music, opening it up to a new generation of listeners while remaining rooted in its historic spirit.

Forged through a constant creative push and pull between the duo’s anchors, Yohan Kebede and Menelik, ‘TEMESGEN’ finds its power in the space between memory, heritage and innovation. Stretching the possibilities of Ethiopian music into something unmistakably new while sitting right at home within the UK’s evolving sonic landscape.

Speaking on how it feels to have the project out, ZENA said: “It's equally scary as it is exciting! We feel as though we’re in uncharted territory in regards to the brand of music we’re putting out, so even though we’re both pretty experienced, it’s hard to predict exactly how people are going to receive it. Equally, that makes it exciting. Even just holding the record in our hands gave us butterflies. It’s given us the itch to make the next one”.

Follow ZENA
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/zenaforeva
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenaforeva/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zenaforeva
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZENAFOREVA

Thank you for your continued support,
The Brownswood Fam

Release Date March 20th, 2026
Catalog No BWOOD0440
Label Brownswood Recordings
track artist
ZENA! ZENA 1:20
MY LOVE YOUR LOVE ZENA 6:09
KAZANCHIS ZENA 3:52
IT'S YOU (ANTE NEH) [ft. Meron T] ZENA 4:25
LONG TIME NO SPEAK ZENA 4:24
TEMESGEN ZENA 4:57

Support

Support from Midoria Oyama, Jim, Nick // Mr Beatnick, Barry Smyth, Sanjiv, floored capri, Rob Luis / Tru Thoughts, Bill Brewster, John Dodds, Kate Magic, Sally & Friends, Dom Servini - Wah Wah 45s / Shook Mag / Echoes, Andre Rheaume, Alexander Nut, LDLDN, Frenchie, Lubi Jovanovic (DJ Lubi), Christian Adofo, Ryan // Martelo, Phil Cooper, Radio Campus Angers, Arnaud QUITTELIER, Lefto, Claire Umney, Dazzle Drums, Tim Garcia, Adrian, Dan Alani, Ilya Rasskazov, Gabriel Francis, Nick Davies, Markus Milz, LAANI, Eric Tchaikovsky, Alex West, Benji B, French DJ, Jeannie Hopper, Kyle Hopkins, Mathieu Schreyer, Olgierd, Radoslav Tomek aka DJ Kinet // Nu Spirit Clubnight & Radio in Bratislava, Rocio Wyldeflower Contreras , Tiago Santos, Tony Heynen, Toshio Matsuura, Laurent Garnier, Moni, Melanin: NikNak, Amrisha, markymark / dancetrax pointblank radio london, KMHD, khalil, Breaks Plus, Marina GB, Tom Whalley, Kevin Beadle, DJ Snuff, Cal Gibson, Dam Vand / dOP, Alex Newman, Tina Edwards, Graham Donlon, matthias gantz, Brad Wrolstad, John Osborne, Nicky B, Christian Tjaben, Raffele Costantino aka Khalab, DJ Osric, Silas Gray, Jason Palma, Patrick Forge, Aj Flores, Bob Hill, Jim Sintetos, Mark Ward, Jim Lister, Chris, Ambient Flo, Santa Leticia, Mike Stukes // Mystic Vibes WHCR 90.3 FM, Gordon Wedderburn, Nemone, Alex D Ruder, Ivan Halen-Semeria, Jay Scarlett, Mike Gurrieri, Jeffrey Pascoe / DJ Jay Paul, Emily Dust, Rolf Aeschimann "baxter", Mr Redley, Chief Boima, Match&Fuse: Debra Richards, Lorne, Marcus Rosario (Mawkus), leo kalimba, Ben Lovett, and Laurent
Brownswood Recordings is an independent record label founded by the DJ, record collector and broadcaster Gilles Peterson in 2006.

It is a platform for new artists to grow and a space for more established acts to experiment.
Our parent company, Brownswood Music also runs an artist development programme called Future Bubblers, in partnership with Arts Council England.