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

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

The album peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's World Music chart.[4]

Production

The Washington D.C.-based Aweke sang the song lyrics in her native Amharic language.[5] The album was produced by Iain Scott and Bunt Stafford Clark.[6] Aweke mixed soul music sounds with Ethiopian instruments, including the krar.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Calgary HeraldB+[9]
Robert Christgau(choice cut)[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[11]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[12]

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."[13] Spin called it "mildly disappointing," but praised Aweke's voice for cutting through the "snooty" production.[14] 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."[12] Robert Christgau singled out "Yedi Gosh (My Guy)" for praise.[10]

The New York Times wrote that Aweke's "voice, thin, but sure and pliable, weaves in and around, stenciling delicate melodies against the band."[5] The Calgary Herald determined that "the horn charts are brash and brassy while the marimbas, shakers and bass convey a sense of the primal."[9] 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."[15] 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."[16]

AllMusic wrote that "Aweke's voice sounds even earthier and more passionate than on her debut album."[8]

Track listing

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

  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 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ Thompson, Clifford (October 7, 2020). "Contemporary World Musicians". Routledge. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Ballads from Africa". Chicago Tribune. WOMANEWS. 6 Sep 1992. p. 2.
  5. 1 2 Watrous, Peter (November 13, 1991). "The Pop Life". Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021 – via NYTimes.com.
  6. ↑ "Album Reviews -- Kabu by Aster Aweke". Billboard. 103 (43): 82. Oct 26, 1991.
  7. ↑ Joyce, Mike (27 Dec 1991). "Evocative Aweke's Ethiopian/D.C. Soul". The Washington Post. p. N11.
  8. 1 2 "Kabu - Aster Aweke | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04 – via www.allmusic.com.
  9. 1 2 Wagamese, Richard (26 Nov 1991). "RECORDINGS". Calgary Herald. p. C6.
  10. 1 2 "Robert Christgau: CG: Aster Aweke". www.robertchristgau.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  11. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 319.
  12. 1 2 "Kabu". EW.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  13. ↑ "Aster Aweke". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Gehr, Richard (Nov 1991). "Spins". Spin. 7 (8): 108.
  15. ↑ Garland, Phyl (Mar 1992). "Popular Music -- Kabu by Aster Aweke". Stereo Review. 57 (3): 71.
  16. ↑ Harrison, Tom (3 Apr 1992). "TALKIN' 'BOUT YEDI GOSH". The Province. p. C3.
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