7 Aster Aweke

Aster You say: “One of the most compelling singer/writer/ performers I’ve ever come across.” Iain Scott, via Facebook

Having appeared on Hailu Mergia’s Tche Belew as a teenager, Aster Aweke recorded a string of smashhit cassettes, bringing her to the wider attention of the outside world by the time she resettled in America in 1981. Her terrific international debut was released on a British indie, but Aster is so accomplished that it was quickly picked up by Columbia in the States. Though its keyboardbased sound makes the album very much of its time, when the band give way to solo harp, the feeling in Aweke’s voice pours through. Followup Kabu is not too shabby either, but this is a modern soul set worthy of a place on shelf or playlist next to Anita Baker or Sade. TRIPLE EARTH,