Debo Band - Debo Band CD (Mega Blowout Sale)
SKU
23-Sub Pop 098787200324
“Debo Band are a Boston-based ensemble who play music heavily inspired by Ethiopian pop music as well as American funk and Eastern European brass bands. Founded in 2006 by saxophonist Danny Mekonnen, the group is led by singer Bruck Tesfaye. Other members include guitarist Brendon Wood and electric violinist Jonah Rapino (both of Devil Music), accordion player Marié Abe (Japonize Elephants), violinist Käthe Hostetter (Qwanqwa), and sousaphonist Arik Grier (Fat Day). They have toured Ethiopia twice and performed at the Ethiopian Music Festival in Addis Ababa as well as Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar. They have performed shows with Group Doueh, the Ex with Getatchew Mekurya, Khaira Arby, and many others.”-AllMusic
“This album, the second for the Debo Band, is a fuller accounting of their talent, indeed 11 tracks over 59 minutes. Their previous was an EP. While the earlier release was of live, more traditional recordings in Ethiopia, with that special energy and spontaneity, this issue has better sound and more developed, more polished arrangements. The vocalist, Bruck Tesfaye, is further back this time, in line with the wide assortment of instruments of the present 12-member ensemble: electric and acoustic violins, accordion, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpet, trombone, guitar, sousaphone (yes, sousaphone), electric bass, drums, folk percussion, and embilta, which are 2-tone (fundamental and 4th or 5th) flutes without finger holes. The fundamental sound is Ethiopian with some regional influences of Sudan and Somalia; yet this a modern semi-fusion band with jazz big band and rock structures.
The tunes are based on folk dance songs, wedding songs, romantic works, and praise songs. Some tracks have a funk flavor, some seem old-fashioned in the brass and violin style, other pieces simply rock, and a couple are slow and sensitive or bluesy melancholic. One praise piece includes the wax-and-gold double entendre form of poetic lyrics. Much of the music, however, is bright, cheerful, and strongly rhythmic. The final celebratory track, using traditional Ethiopian flutes, folk drums, and the drum kit, is a band original and sung in English. Debo Band is exotically unique. Its repertoire is diverse and always interesting.”-Dr. Debra Jan Bibel
- LabelSub Pop
- UPC098787200324