Qwanqwa
– Volume 2 (FPE Records)
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Modern
experimental Ethiopian quartet release their new album.
As
the title suggests, this is Qwanqwa’s (translated as ‘language’) second
album. An album of traditional Ethiopian
music which has been given a modern and experimental twist. It sounds fab.
Formed
in 2012 when Kaethe Hostetter (violin) moved from Boston USA to Addis Ababa and
met up with fellow members Mesele Asmamaw (electric krar), Dawit Seyoum (bass
krar) and Samson Sendeku (percussion) the band soon began exploring and
creating a fusion between longstanding music and a new sound of their own. The resulting sound is one that would please
both lovers of New World Music and something a little different.
Recorded
at Langano Studios last year, Volume Two enhances several styles apart from
traditional sounds including jazz, afro-beat and psychedelia which makes the
collection of six (largely) instrumental tracks both endearing and
entertaining.
Selam
Selam has a gorgeous riff which continues throughout with a basic, if not
intriguing beat. It loops and spirals
creating a musical addiction that leaves the listener demanding more, indeed
the whole album whilst not immediate at first, does grow in time.
The
mammoth, eleven minute Tezeta begins with what can only be described as ‘tuning
up’ but soon adds vocals and takes a good four minutes before breaking into a
musical arrangement as such. When it
does, it is completely fascinating as Keathe’s violin knits together a simply
sumptuous melody.
Mela
Mela rocks things up a little with a more jazz influenced sound over a great
bassline, and almost begs for a dub version of the track to be
forthcoming. Album closer Gorage is the
most upbeat track on the album as yet another highly compelling hook brings
together some more incredibly engrossing violin sounds which many times during
the album help mould the whole sound of Qwanqwa together.
Links
FPE Records
Qwanqwa on Mixcloud
Qwanqwa on Facebook
Published on Louder Than War 11/09/15 - here
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