Ethiopia Super Krar

Ethiopia Super Krar is the debut release from the London-based Krar Collective, which had its beginnings playing weddings for London’s Ethiopian community. Band leader and krar player Temesgen Zeleke and vocalist Genet Assefa both sing lead on this exciting, exotic album featuring the music of various Ethiopian tribes. While Zeleke’s six-stringed electric, acoustic and bass krars are descended from the ancient Ethiopian krar lyre, they have not strayed from their origins in that they remain open-stringed instruments—in other words, there are only six notes possible from the six strings, which Zeleke negotiates adeptly. The CD opens with the energetic “Guragigna,” with Assefa singing her mesmerizing vocal ululations. “Ambassel” is equally captivating, again due to Assefa’s hypnotic vocals. “Mr. Astatke” pays tribute to Ethiopian jazz legend Mulatu Astatke, who inspired Zeleke to approach the krar in a novel way. The CD’s closing tune, the emotional “Ende Eyerusalem,” showcases the talents of Assefa and Zeleke nicely. Percussionist Robel Taye provides the rhythmic underpinning to this spirit-lifting album.