Before we get to Femi and his 14-piece band Positive Force, it’s worth pointing out that this show was a sell out and with the feature in the morning Metro paper, the queue for return tickets was a long one 2-hours before the doors opened.

It was also great to see DJ Yam of the Equator Sound System who got the evening off on the right note with his introduction. “Tonight is all about quality dance music so please feel free to dance if you want to.”

First up was Alki D (singer/guitarist) with his band Malik Kerrouche (electric guitar), Martin Berauer (bass) and Alexis Sebileu (drums). They didn’t seem rushed, in fact, very cool and they breezed through their seven song set. The reggaeish ‘Malik’, ‘Good Morning Tchetchenia’ and ‘C’est Facile’ stood out as the usual crowd reserve evaporated and the dancing commenced. There you go, c’est facile.

Now you wouldn’t have thought Ba Cissoko could steel the show. They started with 3 kora players on a song that sounded like Alice Coltrane (RIP) in an African transcendence. By the end, the crowd were going bonkers for their mix of Hendrix influenced (complete with wah wah peddle and Marshall amp stack) roots music.

Femi’s been ‘Beng, Beng, Beng’-ing for many years now but it never fails to get you excited and in a dancing mood. What with the release of his ‘best of’ compilation album The Definitive Collection, this lion is still prepared to roar. Still speaking out about injustice at home (Nigeria and Africa) and in Britain (“If I was Prime Minister, we’d be out of Iraq very quickly” he said to load applause) it was all a mixed message as he also says he’s looking to a simple life now and his son is his main reason for living.

The man could do no wrong with his backing band in full flow. He ended his set with Peterson’s favourite track of all time, ‘Water Get No Enemy’. I had to leave before they finished this one and I’d like to think that they kept playing until dawn.

The Barbican is celebrating its 25th birthday this year and this was a really good party. Check out the Radio 3 coverage.

BBC Radio 3: World Roots Sat 3-4pm with Lucy Duran www.bbc.co.uk/Radio3
26th February. Recording of Aklil D from this year’s African Soul Rebels Tour
11th March. Recording of Ba Cissoko from this year’s African Soul Rebels Tour

Links:
African Soul Rebel Tour 2007 www.musicbeyondmainstream.com
www.because.tv/artistes/akli-d
www.aklid.com
Wrasse Records www.wrasserecords.com
The Big Chill House www.bigchill.net
14th December 2006: 8.00pm — 1.00am
Join DJs Yam & Biggabush for rocksteady Afro funk Latin soul dubtronic batucada ska boogalu!
www.soundwayrecords.com
www.juicebrighton.com — Juice 107.2 fm Brighton’s local radio station — Afrobase show / Hot Tropical Radio every Sunday 4-6pm (DJ’S Miles Cleret (Soundway Records)
www.totallyradio.com
www.songlines.co.uk
Gilles Peterson :: Tracklisting :: Thursday 08 February
Di Angelo, Femi Kuti & Macy Gray ft Roy Hargrove, Nile Rodgers, The Soultronics & Positive Force — ‘Water Get No Enemy’ (Wrasse Records)