As leader of the Abyssinians, Abiy Solomon has brought a modern sensibility to the traditional music of Ethiopia since 1996. Forsaking the horn section usually heard in Ethiopian pop music, Solomon has emphasized the electric guitar and incorporated influences of Zairean soukous. Rather than relying on the Ethiopian pentatonic scale, Solomon based his songs on the Western seven-tone scale. In a late-'90s interview, Solomon explained, "We're really working hard to make the sound richer than before and to change the arrangements of traditional Ethiopian songs to make them a bit more modern." ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide