Wikipedia

Kabu (album)

Kabu is the second album by the Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke.[1][2] It was released in 1991 via Columbia Records.[3]

Kabu
Studio album by
Aster Aweke
Released1991
GenreEthiopian music
LabelColumbia
ProducerIain Scott, Bunt Stafford Clark
Aster Aweke chronology
Aster
(1990) 		Kabu
(1991) 		Ebo
(1993)

The album peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's World Music chart.[4] Aweke supported the album with several North American concert dates.[5]

Production

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The Washington D.C.-based Aweke sang the song lyrics in her native Amharic language.[6] The album was produced by Iain Scott and Bunt Stafford Clark.[7] Aweke mixed soul music sounds and raï with Ethiopian instruments, including the krar.[8][9]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [10]
Calgary HeraldB+[11]
Robert Christgau [12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [13]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[14]
The Philadelphia Inquirer    [8]

Trouser Press deemed the album "heavy on midtempo grooves and ballads," writing that "the synthesizer on 'Kabu (Sacred Rock)' mimics a bass kalimba while Aweke’s vocals swoop and soar like a hummingbird."[15] Spin called it "mildly disappointing," but praised Aweke's voice for cutting through the "snooty" production.[16] Entertainment Weekly thought that "Kabu broadens the U.S.-based singer’s range with tight waves of fusion-based rock over which she can madly surf."[14] Robert Christgau praised "Yedi Gosh (My Guy)".[12]

The New York Times wrote that Aweke's "voice, thin, but sure and pliable, weaves in and around, stenciling delicate melodies against the band."[6] The Calgary Herald determined that "the horn charts are brash and brassy while the marimbas, shakers and bass convey a sense of the primal."[11] Stereo Review concluded that "Aweke unleashes her inner self, uttering oddly twisted wails and singing intricately elaborated melodic lines that can be as lovely as a piece of lace or as tough as a spider's web."[17] The Province opined that "Aweke sounds more sure of her direction and more at home in music that also is a happier blend of her roots and North American pop and jazz."[18]

AllMusic wrote that "Aweke's voice sounds even earthier and more passionate than on her debut album."[10]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Yedi Gosh (My Guy)" 
2."Yas-Oh (Grab It, Get It On)" 
3."Kabu (Sacred Rock)" 
4."Kezira" 
5."Bati" 
6."Tchewata (Romance)" 
7."Eyoha" 
8."Bitchengna (Loneliness)" 

References

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  1. ^ "Aster Aweke Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  2. ^ Dorian, Frederick; Duane, Orla; McConnachie, James (October 4, 1999). World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Rough Guides. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Thompson, Clifford (October 7, 2020). Contemporary World Musicians. Routledge. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "Ballads from Africa". Chicago Tribune. Womanews. 6 Sep 1992. p. 2.
  5. ^ Johnson, Martin (19 Nov 1991). "Cultural Mosaics at a New-World Club". Part II. Newsday. p. 61.
  6. ^ a b Watrous, Peter (November 13, 1991). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Album Reviews — Kabu by Aster Aweke". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 43. Oct 26, 1991. p. 82.
  8. ^ a b Moon, Tom (1 Dec 1991). "Pop". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 10H.
  9. ^ Joyce, Mike (27 Dec 1991). "Evocative Aweke's Ethiopian/D.C. Soul". The Washington Post. p. N11.
  10. ^ a b "Kabu". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  11. ^ a b Wagamese, Richard (26 Nov 1991). "Recordings". Calgary Herald. p. C6.
  12. ^ a b "Aster Aweke". Robert Christgau. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  13. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 319.
  14. ^ a b "Kabu". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  15. ^ "Aster Aweke". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  16. ^ Gehr, Richard (Nov 1991). "Spins". Spin. Vol. 7, no. 8. p. 108.
  17. ^ Garland, Phyl (Mar 1992). "Popular Music — Kabu by Aster Aweke". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 3. p. 71.
  18. ^ Harrison, Tom (3 Apr 1992). "Talkin' 'bout Yedi Gosh". The Province. p. C3.
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