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Alias:

Ejigayehu Shibabaw

Language:

Amharic

Genre:

Afrofunk Jazz Soul

Instrument:

Female vocals

Articles:
More on Gigi

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Ethiopian Music

Biography

"I grew up singing in the Ethiopian Church, which is actually not allowed for women, but there was a priest at my home who taught me how to sing the songs. And I listen to a lot of West African music, South African music, hip hop, and funk, so you feel all that in the melodies. Even if it's in Amharic, people can appreciate this music."
This explains Ethiopia’s new star Gigi.
Fifth child in a family of ten, Ejigayehu "Gigi" Shibabaw was raised in a far-off hamlet by conscientious parents who'd turned their backs on the squalor of the city. Her family's life was directly dependent on the water from the river Ardi to irrigate their coffee plant crops. "I always knew I wanted to be a singer," she recalls. "We always had a lot of entertainment in my house. When people would come over, my parents would have the kids perform for them."
A loyal daughter with a rebellious streak -- some things truly are universal -- Gigi sought her artistic fortunes abroad when her tradition-minded father initially forbade her to make way in the world as an entertainer. Living first in Nairobi, Kenya, and performing with an Ensemble of East African expats, performing with an Ensemble of East African expats, Gigi returned to Addis Ababa, where she quickly established herself as a singer and songwriter to be reckoned with.
Cast in a French theatre production of the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, which featured an all-Ethiopian ensemble, Gigi toured East and South Africa, and eventually France, where she was invited to perform at a Paris World Music Festival. Seeing the world stage as her true home, Gigi relocated to San Fransisco at age 24. It wasn't long before her music, released for the local Ethiopian community, caught the attention of Chris Blackwell, Palm Pictures founder.
Her music derives from celebrations of Genna (Ethiopian Christmas), when men and women used to assemble at her home for two months of feasting, games, and of course, zefen (songs) and chifera (group dancing). Her poetry is inspired by the land, by scripture, the ancient Ethiopian church, and the beauty of the Ethiopian civilization.

Relevant artists:
Aster Aweke
Maryam Mursal
Faytinga

TSEHAY
1997

ONE ETHIOPIA
Barkhan/1998

GIGI  
Palm Picures/2001

At the first run-through this disc may seem overarranged, a bit clumsy and heavy going. But if you give it a little time you will find yourself sitting and listening to a fantastic and enjoyable collection of tracks, 13 in all. All the songs are written by Gigi and the arrangments/production are the work of bassist Bill Laswell, who has also collaborated with Jah Wobble and Angelique Kidjo. It’s impossible not to mention Aster Aweke in connection with this CD, too, as its style resembles hers in places and its mood is just as beautiful. But Gigi stands on her own two feet. The point of origin may be Ethiopia but ”Gigi” takes impulses and inspiration from all around the world in Bill Laswell’s fastidious production. The music is difficult to pigeon hole – it perhaps comes closest to ethnic jazz a la Jan Garbarek/Nils Petter Molvaer. (The latter, by the way, is collaborating in Molde’s Jazz Festival in July.) But it also leans toward pop and funk. I like the jazz-marked songs best, for example the closing song, ”Adwa”, where there is space around Gigi’s delightful voice and a lyrical saxophone. Both Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter collaborate on this CD, with short insets. This music gets you in an airy mood that you don't want to get out of. It's simply great. There are many layers of sound, I hope Laswell continues to rely purely and simply on Gigi’s voice and creates a purer expression next time. Anyway, there’s much chemistry between him and Gigi. So much so that they became romantically involved after working together for several weeks. This is evident in the music. And the cooperation with Nils Petter Molvaer guarantees some of the most exciting material in Molde this summer!
(Click record company for alternative review.)

ILLUMINATED AUDIO
Palm Pictures/2003

"Why does he do it?" - Songlines on producer Bill Laswell.

ABYSSINIA INFINITE ZION ROOTS  
Network/2003

Ejigayehu Shibabaw presented herself to a bigger international audience for the first time with "Gigi" in 2001, an album which got excellent reviews. As a somewhat strange follow up came "Illuminated Audio", which was producer and husband Bill Laswell's remix of the same songs. Several reviewers were wondering if Laswell actually was in full swing ruining a promising record career with exaggerated use of Western high tech. "Abyssinia Infinite Zion Roots" is the answer to these speculations. Luckily Laswell has cooled down, and the team presents a fantastic and mainly accoustic album. Gigi/Laswell have chosen to trust the rich song material and not least Gigi's poetic and captivating voice. The songs are a mix of traditional tunes and Gigi's own compositions. Several are performed in an almost traditional style, but still with elegant finesse, which makes this record pure joy. On the cool opening track, "Bati bati" Moges Habte i.e. plays saxophone and on the traditional "Monew Natana" Tony Cedras adds accordion, while drums, bass and female backing singers create a trancelike mood. As mentioned above, Gigi's music might be difficult to pigdeon hole. On the cover one tries with "Ethiopian soul", possibly the closest you get to a Western categorization. Another way to describe this music could be: Traditional Amaric music, modern and tastefully arrangened, to match Gigi's beautiful voice.
The recording is done in New York basically with Ethiopian musicians, with some additons, like i.e. Senegalese Aiyb Dieng on percussion and Bill Laswell himself on accoustic guitar and keyboard. A top disc!

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Swahili: Francis Chagula (francis.chagula@malvik.kommune.no)
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