Krar Collective

Hailing from London via Addis Ababa, Krar Collective are a trio whose unique and powerful take on Ethiopian music has made them rising stars in the world music community. The musical keystone of the group is the krar, a traditional Ethiopian lyre with six strings. In Krar Collective, the krar is played by Temesgen Zeleke, a multi-instrumentalist who was mentored by the legendary vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke. Zeleke plays an amplified version of a traditional krar, accompanied by percussionist Robel Taye, who uses double-headed kebero drums, and vocalist Genet Assefa. Zeleke described the band to journalist Ant Stone as "Ethiopian traditional music with a rocky edge." The band's debut album, Ethiopia Super Krar, was issued in the summer of 2012. ~ Mark Deming