Debo Band’s 2016 sophomore album is big, bold, and packed with strong tunes, perfectly capturing the explosive energy of the band’s live performances. Tailor made for sweaty, shoulder to shoulder dancing, Ere Gobez updates the sounds of Ethiopia’s Golden Era with a good dose of jazz, funk, rock, and a touch of South American rhythm. Headed by saxophonist Danny Mekonnen and fronted by vocalist Bruck Tesfaye, the Boston-based band draw on various Ethiopian traditions and cultures: the high energy opener “Ele” is based on Gurage rhythms, while the sprawling “Oromo” is a reinterpretation of a traditional Oromo tune through a rock and jazz lens.

– Megan Iacobini de Fazio