Currently touring the country with Damon Albarn and the other musicians on the Africa Express train, Krar Collective are a London-based trio who started out playing at weddings in the Ethiopian community, and have developed their own distinctive style, based largely on reworking traditional songs from across Ethiopia. The band is led by Temesgen Zeleke, who was encouraged to bring a new approach to his playing of the krar, the ancient Ethiopian lyre, by the Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke, who is honoured here on Mr Astatke. Zeleke's approach involves the use of electric, acoustic and bass krars, and a style that includes rousing, driving songs like Ete-Mete and the gently rippling, acoustic Tizita. He also adds sturdy vocal work and overdubs on traditional Ethiopian flute and fiddle, and is helped by the powerful voice of Genet Assefa (at her best on the brooding finale Ende Eyerusalem) and percussion. This is a no-nonsense set that provides a reminder of the great African music to be found in the UK, even if it doesn't quite capture the energy of the band's live performances.
Krar Collective: Ethiopia Super Krar – review
This London-based Ethiopian trio are a fine example of the rude health of African music in the UK, writes Robin Denselow