Undeniably, their pop hooks have the inescapable power of a heavyweight's punch, and they now have an intelligent, developed versalitility that wasn't immediately obvious on the first album.
The comparison is perhaps exaggerated, but their set suggested an alternative universe where the youthful late-50's Quarrymen, instead of being weaned on american rockabilly and blues, had instead been enchanted with a wave of African rhumba. Simply, they're a regular rock and roll band taking instead the sunny, joyful, lyrical pan-african reggae as a launch pad. It's no foolish choice either. This music has conquered the entire continent, pushing the real tribal music to the traditional fringe. As a genre it has proved it's credientials for mass appeal.
Live - they looked so impossibly young and clean cut.
Respect due also for the inelaborate stage design; just an oversized poster of the album cover, a set of chandliers like the one on debut album, and some elementary lights.
Having said which, I tired of it all after an hour. There's no real sex appeal (well, not as far as I can tell) in what they do, no violence and no politics. There's no forceful, charismatic personality fronting it all, and so what you're left with is simply the pop songs themselves... which are great, but just as yet they don't sustain a full sized gig. Still, there's more to come I'm sure.
Highlights: ..the best of the new album - "Horchata", Diplomat's Son"..
p.s. if you like this, check out the euro-african dance fusion outfit The Very Best.
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