Kolaba

Kolaba is the culmination of a four-year collaboration between various African musicians living and working in London, and the duo of percussionist André Marmot and producer Nico Bentley. Afriquoi's debut is an eclectic and fundamentally hybrid project, with influences from house, drum’n’bass and electronica. Opener ‘Ningde Jubeh’ has an infectious vocal hook coupled to Fiston Lusambo's soukous-tinged guitar, making for an upbeat and rewarding listen. ‘Kudaushe’ features virtuoso marimba player Kudaushe Matimba: its pulsing drums, playful mbira and wonderful vocal line make it another album highlight.

Aside from the brilliantly fiery ‘Fiston 2000’, featuring Birmingham-based dancehall MC Serocee, it's the subtle mix of styles and respect accorded the live instrumentation that makes these tracks really work. Therefore, it's a real shame that tracks such as ‘Way Out’ (the most obviously club-infused track on the album) and closer ‘Shaking up the Garden’ are so beat-heavy; the intricacy of kora player Jally Kebba Susso takes a back seat on all three, and this is to the detriment of the overall sound. Nonetheless, it's a solid debut from an exciting group.