Eritrea waged a protracted war with neighboring Ethiopia in the 1990s. Yet those East African countries also share musical traditions. Fans of artists such as Mahmoud Ahmed and the impressive Ethiopiques series should listen to this catchy album. The French producer Bruno Blum went to Asmara to record an album with the fine fleur of Eritrean pop music. The result is a mesmerizing mix of reggae, soul
… and jazz, sung in local languages. It's also great that all nine ethnic groups of the country are represented on this CD. Most of the songs roll on in a relaxed way, but the party starts when the only (!) Rapper in the country (who listens to the wonderful name Temasgen Hip Hop) takes part. The title of this album is the nail on the head, because the Asmara All-Stars deliver a soulful, danceable and excellent debut album. (PdK)more