By Derek Beres

Mythological creatures are born of imagination, inspired by exceptional humans pushing the envelope of everyday experience. Listening to Ejigayew "Gigi" Shibabaw, you can only imagine the future folklore born of this Egyptian singer's silken voice. Relocating to San Francisco four years ago (now residing in New York), Gigi's self-titled Palm Pictures release garnered a "Best Obscure Album of 2002" accolade from NY Times critic Jon Pareles, for good reason. Delicate and tenacious, traditional Amharic vocals collide tastefully with contemporary jazz, ingenious percussion, and dubbed stylings, crafted superbly by producer Bill Laswell. Collaborating with everyone from Tabla Beat Science, Wayne Shorter, Karsh Kale and Pharoah Sanders, Gigi has taken the lonesome, hopeful poetry of her homeland to international recognition by infusing eloquent lyricism overtop any foundation rendered. Like true fantasy manifest on this earthly plane, she passes before them all with grace, a soulful ambassador on a global mission of beauty.

Online:  www.gigimusic.net