Review of the 2009 London African Music Festival (12 & 13 Sep 2009)
As the gloomy autumn sets in, the London African Music Festival at the Southbank Centre will bring some reminiscing of summer with an array of sounds: from the sensuous sax by cutie YolanDa Brown, to the exquisite harmonies of gospel group The Yoruba Women’s Choir, and the chilled vibe of nu soul group Hil St Soul led by Zambian Hilary Mwelwa.
At this high energy event, be prepared to jam in your seats, shimmy the hips, and lean back to infectious African rhythms wrapped around jazz solos with legends like Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi, acoustic soul performer Lord Eric Sugumugu, the leader of the mighty Master Drummers of Africa, and dance band Congo Allstars – a hypnotic mix of old-school rumba and modern soukous.
Mwelwa is probably best known for the melodic cover of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Until You Come Back to Me’. At the age of five, she emigrated to London from her hometown of Lusaka in Zambia. Before breaking into the music business, she graduated in biochemistry at Westminster University. Her poignant self-penned lyrics and honeyed voice dipped in soul is enticing and organic. Last year, the group released their third album, Black Rose, a bluesy and ethereal fusion of pop, jazz, and RnB.
Congo Allstars deliver fervent dance music with soukous integrated with funky rumba beats and cutting-edge dub reggae. Leader and master percussionist Koko Kanyinda will direct the band comprising four singers, three guitarists, and a rhythm section.
MOBO award winner for best jazz act in 2008, Brown attributes to her sound diverse musical influences and collaboration such as grime, gospel, salsa, afro-jazz, and r&b. This PhD candidate at Kent University has performed with Alexander O’Neal, The Temptations, Mica Paris, and toured all over the world. Born and raised in London, her debut album is due to out later this year.
For more info about this year’s festival, from 10 to 25 September 2010 check:
