By Julia Morris
Kicking off their Making Tracks tour in a whirlwind of Ethiopian song, krar grooves and fantastical dance moves, Krar Collective swept us up into an Addis-soaked night far removed from the streets of East London’s Rich Mix. Led by krar wizard Temesgen Taraken, former star pupil of Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke, this special album launch show saw the normal trio of krar, vocals and percussion expanded into a lineup that also featured saxophone, bass krar, dancers and guest vocalist.
After a haunting opening ballad from singer Genet Assefa, the band embarked on a rocking set, madly exchanging intricate rhythms and melodies to the deep beats of the kebero drums. Amharic popular songs were sounded in counterpoint to Ethio-jazz numbers from Addis’ 1960s/70s ‘Golden Years’ to weave a truly unique mesh of Ethiopian styles. This was all augmented by Temesgen’s electrifying performance on the krar, the ancient six-stringed Ethiopian lyre, fully showcasing his skills as he strummed driving riffs that would rival any rock guitarist.
The set was accompanied by two dancers who bedazzled with both their moves, ranging from seductive courtship dances to the shoulder-shaking and jerking neck movements of the traditional iskista Ethiopian dance style, and their multiple costume changes, fearsome warrior headdresses were almost instantaneously transformed into the glitzy pink bellbottoms of swinging downtown Addis. As wild ululations flew out from an enraptured crowd, all munching on handfuls of Ethiopian corn from ceramic bowls scattered about the venue, and dramatic shapes were cut on the dance floor to the fever-pitched beat, Krar Collective delivered a truly evocative night that mark them out as a band that need to be caught live.
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