For Damakase, Ethiopian masenqo player Endris Hassen (The Ex, Ethiocolor, The Nile Project...) and kebero-player Misale Legesse (Ethiocolor, Addis Acoustic Project) joined forces with New Zealand bassist Cass Harsfall and Franco-American guitarist Cory Seznec. The name of the band refers to a plant used in Ethiopia to cure gunfan (loosely translated "flu" or "a cold"). It also explains the title of this long player debut, as 'Gunfan Yellem!' translates as: "get rid of that flu!". The track list features six self-penned songs and two covers ('Wuba', by Eritrean composer Tewelde Redda, and 'Mother's Love' by Ethiopian pianist Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou). Almost entirely instrumental - title track 'Gunfan Yellem!' being the big exception - tradi-modern Ethiopian album with some added Western instrumentation.