Live In London

If the crossover moves of Aster Aweke's pair of Columbia LPs made it hard to figure why she's such a major star in the Ethiopian music world, Live in London will clue you in. The recording isn't a pristine board tape, but it genuinely captures the raucous excitement of being there amidst an enthusiastic crowd celebrating the 1996 Ethiopian New Year with their homegirl heroine. "Enthusiastic" understates the case -- suffice it to say that the musician credits include "the London Audience" on backing vocals, and that's no lie. Aweke responds by pirouetting through melismatic vocal spirals and spewing out the syllables on "Minu Tenekana" with a harsher, more guttural edge than her polished studio works. The backing quartet, minus guitar and with the keyboard melodies doubled by the saxophone of Ray Carless (who previously did international duty with Najma), masterfully negotiates the ever-surprising lope and chopping drum offbeats of Ethiopian pop beginning with the opener, "Eyoha." The lone ballad, "Teyim," prompts an audience singalong before Carless cuts loose, and "Ebo" boogies on down like an Ethiopian version of "Wang Dang Doodle." "Fikhr Anesegn" kicks, but then virtually the entire CD does -- Live in London is an excellent concert recording and a great introduction to Aster Aweke. ~ Don Snowden|