𝙊𝙪𝙧’ 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠’ 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨’ 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘.
We love pulling back the curtain on the stories and inspirations behind intriguing new releases. It’s always fascinating to hear the personal anecdotes, creative processes, and little-known tales that shaped each track. These insights not only give us a deeper appreciation for the artistry that goes into crafting these musical gems but also create a sense of connection with the artists.
Langendorf United‘s ‘Undercover Beast’ is less a collection of songs and more a living, breathing organism. Guided by Lina Langendorf’s saxophone and vision, the album pulses with the energy of Ethio-jazz, modal improvisation, and global grooves, but what truly stands out is its spirit. Every piece here feels like an organ within a larger body, carrying lifeblood made of rhythm, memory, and devotion.
At its core, the record is about the connection between Sweden and Ethiopia, tradition and experimentation, grief and celebration. Dedications to mentors, friends, and musical ancestors lend the album its depth, transforming it into both a homage and a renewal. There is a profound sense of community in the playing; each member of the band contributes to a unity that transcends geography.
Rather than rushing, the music breathes, sometimes lyrical and searching, sometimes raw and ecstatic, always alive with purpose. ‘Undercover Beast’ affirms that groove itself can be sacred: a meeting place where curiosity, sorrow, and joy coexist, and where listeners, too, become part of the music’s spiritual flow.
Without further ado, stream the album and read the track-by-track guide below.
And so it begins is, just as the title indicates, the beginning of something new. An opening and a kind of statement. The saxophones raise their voices to gather the people; they have a story to tell. The door to the slightly unknown is opening, slowly but surely. There, on the other side, stands the entire band, Langendorf United, with their arms wide open. Ready to take us with them into their world of sound. And so it begins!
SO-MA-LI (Ode to MDOMA) – can be likened to a homage choir, singing praises for the four band members Martin, Daniel, Ole Morten and Andreas. The working title of the bass line was ”the best-loved bass line”. Lina had been searching for the melody for quite some time. It was time for a live performance with Langendorf United at the Hemnes Jazz Festival in Norway. The band had not seen each other for a long time. As soon as Lina meets them, as soon as she sees them, she begins to hear music. Four days later, early one morning in Trondheim, she wakes up with a melody in her head. A homage choir of woman’s voices. She finds her phone and quickly sings the melody into the voice memo. SO-MA-LI is born.
Cesária is a song that has been with Lina for more than ten years. A tribute to the amazing musician Cesária Evora. All things come in their own time, and now the time has come for this gem to see the light again and to meet both the band and listeners around the world.
Undercover Beast has the significant Ethiopian Anchihoye scale as its guiding star throughout the song. A tonality that is very familiar at the jam sessions at Fendika. In fact, it might just as well have been an Anchihoye song that Lina joined in on that Monday night at Fendika, when she was given the title. The Monday concerts always end with a jam session led by the band. With the amazing musician Teferi Assefa behind the drums. One month after Langendorf United had finished recording the new album, Lina received the heartbreaking and unimaginable news that Teferi had left this world. She was in the practice room and could not continue playing. In that moment, it became clear that this song would be dedicated to Teferi. In gratitude for his generosity and all the opportunities that have been given Lina over the years – to be part of the Ethiopian music collective and to deepen even more into the Ethiopian tonalities.
Ethiopia Ewdeshalehu – an ode to Ethiopia and to all the beautiful people Lina has met during her stays there. The generosity and warmth that run like a red thread through all of these encounters. ‘Ewdeshalehu’ is Amharic and means ‘I love you.’ So the title is, Ethiopia, I Love You.
Soaring with The Wondrous Four – this too is a celebration of the amazing band members of Langendorf United. Martin, Daniel, Ole Morten och Andreas a.k.a The Wondrous Four. Lina says ”To create and to be in the music together with these four extraordinary musicians is indescribable. Perhaps it can be likened to the euphoric feeling of soaring in the sky, being carried by a force you can neither see nor touch. Music.
A source that is invisible and yet so incredibly powerful and physically present. Greater than the human being itself.
From Longitude to Lassitude – Lullabies and Laments – a title says more than a thousand words, and music says all this and more… A suite that moves through longing and dreams, total exhaustion, despair and chaos, hope, and serenity itself.
Alemayehu is a tribute to the legendary musician Alemayehu Eshete. Also known as Abyssinian Elvis (the Ethiopian Elvis Presley). On several occasions over the years, Lina had the great honor of performing with Alemayehu at Hotel Taitu in Addis.
The plan was for Alemayehu to sing on this song, and he had said yes. ”We’re brother and sister” he said when the question about joining as a guest came. Sadly, life caught up with us, and in September 2021 Alemayehu past away.
Prayers, Faith and Hope – a suite in three parts: a prayer, an instilling of faith, and the life-affirming, vital hope.
