CD Review: Akale Wube's 'Sost'

Akale Wube
Sost
Clapson

Akale Wube's third album is aptly-titled Sost, which means 'three' in Amharic--the official language of Ethiopia. The music is highly groove-based and follows the early traditions of Ethiopian jazz, which is not too unlike the popular Ethiopiques series. About half of the music is based on traditional recordings and cassettes found in Ethiopia, while the other half of the songs are original compositions. The emotive vocalist, Genet Asefa, leads a few tracks with her seasoned voice in line with tradition Ethiopia music. The blurt of a trumpet, the beat of a drum, and a jazzy melody with Afro-jazz flavorings rounds out the gist of each song. However, each song brings something new to light--whether it be a hook, a sound, or a rhythm. Akale Wube know how to tease the feet with danceable grooves and lush sounds. This is another acclaimed album. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Akale Wube Reinvents Ethiopia's Golden Era

Akale Wube

Akale Wube

Mosaic Music

After borrowing the name of the group from a song by saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya, the France-based quintet Akale Wube reinvents the golden age of Ethiopia's musical legends. Inspired by the Ethiopiques Series from Buda Musique, Akale Wube puts a modernized spin on songs by Alemayehu Eshete, Mulatu Astatqe, Tsehaytu Beraki, Shewalul Menguistu, and Teshome Sissay. The opening track "Ayalqem Tedengo [Intro]" includes a short flute solo before diving into a four-minute instrumental groove on the next track with the same name. One of the few tracks composed by the group, "Jawa Jawa" is a psychedelic-funk journey that sounds amazingly reminiscent of any song from the US/Cambodia group, Dengue Fever. The reggae-groove of "Kokob/Metche Dershe", funky-groove of "Nestanet", psych-chill of "Nebyat", to the sunnier "Bazay", and the fusion of "Ragale" display only a small fraction of the music produced in the 1970's throughout the horn of Africa. Akale Wube's efforts are well-received and they do the music justice without reverting to super-dubbed dance beats. Vocals are absent throughout. ~ Matthew Forss