Kabu is the second album by the Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke.[1][2] It was released in 1991 via Columbia Records.[3]
Kabu | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Genre | Ethiopian music | |||
Label | Columbia Records | |||
Producer | Iain Scott, Bunt Stafford Clark | |||
Aster Aweke chronology | ||||
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The album peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's World Music chart.[4]
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]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Calgary Herald | B+[9] |
Robert Christgau | ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B+[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]
No. | Title | Length |
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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)" |
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