One of the year’s best albums came from LCD Soundsystem, the disco-punk brainchild of James Murphy that bid farewell in 2011 but recently returned to duty in invigorated form. Much of American Dream‘s textural pulse nods to Talking Heads, and the group brings it to life – complete with throbbing electro-grooves and percussive breakdowns – on Friday at Agganis Arena.

Popular jazz trumpeter Chris Botti continues a stand at the Wilbur Theatre on Friday and Saturday with his smooth and fiery band. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead levitates the repertoire of the Grateful Dead at House of Blues the same nights (link to my Russo interview here), while the Victor Wooten Trio does the Friday/Saturday trick at the Sinclair, with the virtuoso Flecktones bassist centering powerhouse drummer Dennis Chambers and saxophonist Bob Franceschini.

The Mavericks (pictured) also roll into Lynn Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, brandishing their playful blend of rock, country, rhumba and swing (and possibly a Christmas song or two) behind their Grammy-nominated Brand New Day. And on Sunday, folksinger Catie Curtis takes a turn at the new City Winery with a holiday show.