CAIRO WEST MAGAZINE MUSIC REVIEW
uKanDanZ
Ethiopian Crunch Music
By Salma Karim uKanDanZ is an unusual meeting between an electric quartet and Asnake Guebreyes, charismatic lead singer
from the vibrant music scene in Addis Abeba. Inspired by traditional popular Ethiopian songs, uKanDanZ music is characterized by the originality of the compositions, the arrangements and a unique energy. The quartet plays very subtle groove and powerful rock music, in which Guebreyes’ s voice displays a delicate virtuosity.
The band was introduced to the music scene by the French label Buda Musique, and since their debut haven’ t stopped surprising us with their Ethiopian Crunch Music. This French band, backing the Ethiopian lead singer Guebreyes, plays superb Ethiojazz with rock’ n’ roll energy, big guitar riffs, a transcendental rhythm, ranging from screaming to emotional saxophone, all reinforced by the majestic voice of Guebreyes. A new Ethiopic golden nugget is born.
uKanDanZ has a real crunch energy. Between rock, jazz, noise... With impertinence, they rock it wildly. Without compromise, guitar, saxophone, keyboards, drums and vocals shuffle our bearings. What a pleasure! The stage presence of uKanDanZ alternates with swings between energy and emotion. Then the public, transcends, dances and shivers.
Bomb energy, that brings a healthy dose of new blood to the Ethiogrooves scene. Thanks to the Ethiojazz flexibility to marry other genres, such as rock, this is the case with uKanDanZ. Four musicians( battery, sax, guitar and keyboards) and the traditional chants of Guebreyes are sufficient to deliver an awesome live show, sometimes in line with Ethiojazz golden times, from back in the seventies. Sometimes getting close to hard rock, but still in a trance mood.
Unscrupulously, now You Can Dance( uKanDanZ)!
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Discography 2012: Yeshalal( Yetchalal) 2013: Yeshalal( Yetchalal)- Live
Website www. ukandanz. com