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Aster Aweke

Aster Aweke


Country of origin:

Ethiopia

Type of music generally:

World/experimental rock/jazz

Status:

Most recent release, Chewa (2019)

See also:

Wikipedia's Aster Aweke page

Aster Aweke's MySpace page

Comparisons:

She's unique, though sometimes like Ella Fitzgerald, but her voice is higher. Aretha Franklin? (Neile)

Najma. (jmgurley@drizzle.com)

Covers/own material:

About 20% traditional; 80% own material

General comments:

The Sarah Vaughn of Ethiopia. She improvises and her vocals are free-ranging. (jmgurley@drizzle.com)

Uses her powerful voice like an instrument. Sometimes sounds like scat singing. Wild stuff and wonderful, unforgettable music. (Neile)

Recommended first album:

Kabu

Recordings include:

  • Aster (1989)
  • Kabu (1991)
  • Ebo (1993)
  • Live in London (1997)
  • Hagere (1999)
  • Sukar (2002)
  • Aster's Ballads (2004)
  • Fiker (Love) (2006)
  • Checheho (2011)
  • Ewedihalehu (2013)
  • Chewa (2019)

Kabu

Release info:

1991—Columbia—CK 47846

Availability:

Wide in U.S.

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Comments:

Mostly jazz with only a few songs that only feature traditional instruments. Wonderful use of her voice and stylistic range. (jmgurley@drizzle.com)

Definitely something unique and different—possibly not for all tastes, but I adore this. Her vocals are strong and the music powerful and invigorating. Just amazing, and overall highly, highly recommended. (Neile)


Thanks to Chris Montville for work on this entry.

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DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2021-11-03 22:34:19.
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