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  Gigi (Ethiopia)
Illuminated Audio (Palm Pictures, 2002)
This review starts with the question, where's Gigi? The Ethiopian vocalist
sensation's talent has been regulated to a musical wash that lingers in the
background of Bill Laswell's ambient mixes. So technically, Illuminated Audio is
Bill Laswell's album. Fans of the famous dub master Laswell won't mind, but
those individuals who enjoy listening to Gigi (Ejigayehu Shibabaw) will be
disappointed to say the least. Illuminated Audio relies too heavily on
reverberated instruments, exotic beats and bass often times sounding like a
studio mix waiting for the vocal tracks to be laid on top. Then again, this
could be expected from Laswell who also remixed Miles Davis' Panthalassa, Bob
Marley's Dreams of Freedom and Carlos Santana's Divine Light. Dubbing is one
thing, but remastering the masters seems like an egoist's dream.
Thankfully, there is a former version of this CD (simply named Gigi) that
features Gigi's vocals intact and it too was produced by Bill Laswell. The
master musicians who appeared on the CD Gigi including saxophonists, Wayne
Shorter, Henry Threadgill, Pharoah Sanders, guitarist Nicky Skopelitis,
percussionists Aiyb Dieng and Karsh Kale's musical gifts are highlighted in bits
and pieces on Illuminated Audio. Often times, the saxophones contribute to an
overall wash that is anchored by Laswell's bass and Dieng and Kale's acoustic
drums while Gigi's vocals float over the top similar to a fickle breeze wafting
through an open window. On the track, Guramayle, Gigi's immaculate voice graces
tribal beats and on Gud Fellow, the Ethiopian chanteuse's vocals flow thoughout
a haunting musical scape. Needless to say, there are some gorgeous mixes on this
CD, especially for Laswell's devoted following.
In 1956, John Cage claimed, "In the future records will be made from records."
Let's just hope this doesn't become the exception to the rule since dead
musicians would replace the one's that are still living, breathing and paying
their bills. It's a difficult struggle as it is competing with live musicians
and as the world becomes more techno-friendly, perhaps the creme of the crop
will be hollering "brother, can you spare a dime." The good news for some is
that you won't have to pay to see master musicians in concert when you can catch
them performing on a street corner near you. Just throw a couple of quarters
into their hats.
For more information on the performer Gigi or the CD, visit
Gigi's profile at world music Central,
www.gigimusic.com and
www.palmpictures.com.
(Originally published on Cranky
Cranky Crow World Music).
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