This volume of the Ethiopiques series is the one that veers closest to what Westerners think of as the traditional modern sound of Africa. The cycling stringed instruments, chanting vocals and handclaps all remind one of juju music--not that that"s a bad thing. This just might be the best single disc of traditional African music to emerge in the years prior to 2001. Tigrigna music, dominant in Tigray and Eritrea, is both melodically and rhythmically different from Ethiopian music, although both share the pentatonic scale. The instruments and traditional music practices are similar, while the names may vary. The massenqo (a single-corded fiddle played with a bow) and the krar (six-corded lyre) remain the most prevalent instruments. In Tigrigna country, the massenqo is more commonly termed tcherawata and the same wandering minstrel that Ethiopians of the central highlands call azmari is better known as as wata. Tigrigna music means music of Tigray ane Eritrea. The majorities in each of these territories share the same language, Tigrigna. Tigrigna music, doinant in Tigray and Eritrea, is quite distinct, both rhythmically and melodically, from Ethiopian music, though both are based on the pentatonic scale. The traditional instruments and musical practices are similar, while their names may vary. Aside from the Tigrean Bèzuayènè Zègèyè, most of the artists featured on this album are of Eritrean ofigin: Tsèhaytu Bèraki, Tèwèodè Rèdda, Tebèreh Doris Day Tèsfa-Hunegn, Tèklé Tèsfa-Ezghi.