Debo Band (Next ambiance/Sub Pop, 2012)
The self-titled album Debo Band mark’s the band’s debut album on Sub Pop’s Next ambiance world music label. Sub Pop have chosen well as this is one of the finest world music outfits based in the United States.
Debo Band plays a sensational mix of traditional songs and tunes from Ethiopia as well as original pieces inspired by the golden age of Ethiopian music which took place in the late 1960s. That influential sound was known as Ethiojazz. The large Debo Band ensemble features a vibrant brass section along with two violins and accordion that create a rich sound with fascinating contrasts.
The Debo Band sound takes jazz and the pentatonic scales of Ethiopian music to the 21st century, adding American soul, blues and funk grooves, fabulous electric violin, electric guitar and brass elements borrowed from Eastern European Gypsy music.
Photo by Shawn Brackbill
Debo Band has toured Ethiopia twice, appearing at both the Ethiopian Music Festival in Addis Ababa and Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar, the largest music festival in East Africa.
The band’s first recording is the EP titled Flamingoh (Pink Bird Dawn). It is a collection of live tracks recorded in three locations: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia); Zanzibar (Tanzania); and Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA). The pieces feature Debo Band’s vocalist Bruck Tesfaye together with the captivating female vocals of guest Selamnesh Zemene.
Debo Band will be performing along with Forro in the Dark at The Joshua Light Show (New York City) on September 16th, 2012, at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City
Show: 7:30 pm
Tickets: $20-$32,
For info and tickets, call 212.352.3101 or see http://www.nyuskirball.org/page/tickets
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
