Reader’s Choice Occidental Brothers Dance Band International

This band, led by guitarist Nathaniel Braddock, started out playing faithful, if stripped-down covers from Africa’s Golden 70s, with a particular focus on Ghanaian highlife and Congolese rumba. In the last few years they’ve been adding original material to their repertoire that fits in comfortably and convincingly alongside the oldies. Braddock is a devoted student of the music, and he brings some postjazz personality to his solos. It also helps that jazz saxophonist Greg Ward is a longtime member. But it’s the addition of Ghanaians Kofi Cromwell on vocals and Daniel “Rambo” Asamoah on drums that has really cemented their sound. Next gigs: Tue 7/1, 6:30 PM, Welles Park gazebo, Montrose and Western ; Sun 7/20, 5 PM, Pitchfork Music Festival, see Best Festival. —Peter Margasak

Readers’ Choice Funkadesi

Next gig: Fri 7/4, 10 PM, Wild Hare, 3530 N. Clark, 773-327-0868, funkadesi.com, $15.

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