Debo Band

As only the third act signed to Sub Pop Record's world music imprint, Next Ambiance, Debo Band impeccably embody exactly what makes world beat so engrossing to North American ears. On their sophomore, self-titled LP, the Boston-based 11-piece distil Ethiopiques through an erudite filter the same way East coast contemporaries Antibalas approach Afro-Beat. Led by Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen, Debo Band shape their rich, groove-laden sound around sonic layering, as brass, percussion and guitar are often accented by accordion, electric violin and sousaphone. Produced by current Gogol Bordello bassist "Tommy T" Gobena, tracks like "Not Just a Song" and "Asha Gedawo" understandably come off rhythm-heavy, as Bruck Tesfaye navigates his sharp and amiable vocals over clear-cutting Afro-funk. There's much to love about the band's Sub Pop debut, even if the Debo Band come off more like a dowsing rod for Ethiopiques than they do a conduit.