Hoodna's musical director is The Guitarist and composer Ilan Smilan. The cultural and musical environment that surrounds the group has a great effect on its creative process. Exposure to Ethiopian', Eritrean and Arabic musical traditions, coupled with an ongoing study and exploration of different jazz styles, creates a unique blend which has made The Hoodna Orchestra one of the most appreciated and sought-after live shows in Israel.

YELBEN (from my heart in Amharic) is the new single from the Hoodna Orchestra and Tesfaye Negatu. It is a love song, reflects a painful longing for a love that is long gone.

The song was written by the Ethiopian poet and singer Demisu Belete and composed

by Ilan Smilan.

The B-side is the instrumental song BEZE ("on my side" in the ge'ez language).

Both songs recorded live in the Hoodna studio, on mostly analog equipment.

The songs convey a respectful nod to the glory days of Ethiopian jazz and pop in

Adis Abbeba, during the 60's and 70's.

The new single is the first in a series of collaborations between the Hoodna Orchestra and Ethiopian singers and musicians, both from Israel and Ethiopia.