'one of the most rousing, reliable new African bands of the year'
'there’s something about the soulful bluesy sound that has a wide appeal ... captivating' 4****stars,
The Evening Standard
'rousing, driving songs... a no-nonsense set that provides a reminder of the great African music to be found in the UK' 3*** stars
The Guardian
'the fireworks are spectacular' 3***stars
The Financial Times
'primed to deliver a raw, yet updated blast of Ethiopian Blues' 3***stars
Songlines
THE KRAR COLLECTIVE (aka Geata Krar Collective) are Temesegen Tareken (aka Temesgen Zeleke), a former pupil of veteran Ethiopian vibraphone player Mulatu Astatke, on Krar, Robel Tesfaye on traditional
Ethiopian Kebero drums, and singer-dancer Genet Asefa. They are sometimes joined by other musicians, singers and full dance show with 4 dancers.
Krar Collective brings mind-blowing Ethiopian grooves, dazzling Krar and kebero drums, and stunning vocals rooted in tradition and soaked with contemporary attitude. Dubbed “the White Stripes of Ethiopia’ for its minimalist rocky sound, the unstoppable trio— Temesegen Zeleke on the krar (a five- or six-stringed harp), singer Genet Asefa, and drummer Grum Begashaw—bases its repertoire on traditional Ethiopian songs but creates a unique style with timeless appeal: All Music Guide says it’s “unlike any other music from Africa in recent years. … at once accessible, beautiful, and energetic.”
With vocals full of collective cadences and long solo poems, musical stops and starts that create an organic syncopation, and a krar that alternates from lead to rhythm instrument, Krar Collective is rhythmically spellbinding, and uniquely powerful.
Ethiopia Super Krar
Ethiopia Super Krar is Krar Collective’s dazzling debut release. The unstoppable trio, dubbed ‘the White Stripes of Ethiopia’ for their minimalist rocky sound, are favourites on the London and increasingly on the international live circuit. They are renowned for dynamic performances of their contagious music and equally infectious dance moves. Ethiopia Super Krar was recorded to tape on an original 1960s 24-track reel to reel machine, an approach which helped to capture Krar Collective’s music as close as possible to the live experience– the sound is real and honest, not a manufactured perfection.
The instrumental line-up features the krar and bass krar lyre, kebero drums, a one stringed masenqo fiddle, and a washint flute accompanying the band’s distinctive vocals. Band leader Temesgen Zeleke and Genet Assefa share lead singer role. Genet is magnetic in performance and recording – her soaring ululations and perfectly delivered melodies fill the spacious sound. Temesgen Zeleke is a revolutionary krar player – standing to strum and pick his electrified instrument, often kneeling to the floor during his killer solos in intense Hendrix fashion, all on just six open strings. As a young student Temesgen was mentored and encouraged by legendary Ethio-jazzman Mulatu Astatke, and an instrumental arrangement by Astatke features on Ethiopia Super Krar. The famous Ethiopian actress Asnakech Worku, who pioneered the krar as an accompaniment to her emotional ballads during the 1960s and 70s, is also paid a tribute via a cover of her spine-tingling song ‘Endye Eyerusalem’.
Other songs in the repertoire are traditional and represent different Ethiopian tribes. The names of the tracks (‘Ambassel’, Guragigna’, ‘Konso’, ‘Oromigna’, ‘Wello’, ‘Welaita’) are related to the names of ethnic groups or geographical regions. ‘Tizita’ is a ballad form in Ethiopian music associated with remembering loved ones and the ‘King of Tizita’ Mahmoud Ahmed, and ‘Ete-mete’ is a children’s song.
Krar Collective present their sound and their philosophy – rural music in urban clothes, and a belief Ethiopian traditions need to be respected, enjoyed and preserved. Influenced by their London home - in 2012 they represent Ethiopia in the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad - their Ethiopian roots and their own abounding creative streak, they are setting the scene alight with 2012 shows in India, Canada, Germany, Finland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, and Poland even before their first album release– Ethiopia Super Krar looks set to spread their fire even wider and even wilder!
Track List
01. Guragigna (6:07)
02. Oromigna (7:49)
03. Ambassel (5:28)
04. Wello (6:01)
05. Konso (6:01)
06. Mr Astatke (3:12)
07. Ete-mete (4:06)
08. Welaita (5:02)
09. Tizita (7:20)
10. Ende Eyerusalem (7:23)
