Kanda Bongo Man review, Jazz and Blues Club, London: Sheer, infectious danceability

The mesmerising guitars and hip-swinging rhythms of Congolese soukous has captivated Western dance floors more than any other African music – with Kanda Bongo Man at the forefront.

As a performer, Kanda may lack the power of, say, Mali’s greatest, but more than makes up for it with the sheer infectious danceability of his tunes, over a career dating back over four decades.

Now well into his 60s, the soaring voice is still an asset at west London’s Nell’s Jazz and Blues Club, but this iconic frontman is a little stouter these days and doesn’t quite skip about the stage in the old style.

It was, therefore, an inspired move to invite along the captivating dancing skills of someone he introduced as Miss Toni, to really get the party going – and to deliver a delightful version of that Swahili classic Malaika, made famous by Miriam Makeba.

There was only one misstep. Kanda’s decision to invite up on stage an ageing, lifelong male fan who turned out to be possibly the worst dancer I’ve ever seen – and who then took some persuading to stop embarrassing the band and step back into the crowd.

Once he was gone, the night was rounded off with a gorgeous old favourite called Monie, released way back in 1991, which was greeted rapturously and sent everyone blaming all that irresistible rumba for their aching limbs.