Asmara All Stars

Eritrean Fusion Collective

The Asmara All Stars were Eritrean army-employed musicians. In 2008, French musician Bruno Blum produced an album featuring several of the best known musicians and singers in the country, including Faytinga, Aron Berhe and Temasgen Yared. Following the release of 'Eritrea's Got Soul' in October of 2010, the group headlined two shows in Asmara — including a triumphant showcase in the local opera house, featuring a dozen legendary singers united onstage for the first time — and disbanded. Many of its key players, including drummer Omar Hola, bass and keyboard player Noah Hailemelekot, percussionist Ali Hassen and tenor sax player Tekle Negassi soon fled the country as part of the mass exodus Eritrea was then enduring.