If
Aretha Franklin had been born in Ethiopia, she might have grown up to be
Aster Aweke. The singer mixes jazz, soul, funk, and Ethiopian strains to produce a form that's made her a superstar back home and a fast-rising talent in the U.S. American soul music has been a force in Ethiopia since the '60s, so
Aweke's fervent vocalizing should ring a bell with most listeners. ~ J. Poet