Mokoomba

Theguardian.com, Friday 7 June 2013 19.56 BST

"It's like watching the new Bhundu Boys," said an excited Zimbabwean squeezed by the side of the stage, and it was easy to share his enthusiasm. His country was a powerhouse of African music back in the 80s, but has since been eclipsed by west Africa. Now, a six-piece band from Victoria Falls, who are in their 20s, are providing a reminder of the energy, attack and rippling guitar styles of classic Zimbabwean music, now updated with Congolese, South African and western influences.

Mokoomba were hailed as the African discovery of 2012, thanks to their Rising Tide album, and have been booked for a series of major summer festivals, not least theCambridge folk festival and Womad. But first came this warm-up show and their chance to prove they deserve the hype.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/07/mokoomba-review