Staff Benda Bilili, Fiddlers, 18 November

The music of SSB struck me as having elements of soukous without the lilting guitar interplay you normally associate with that form - the piercing note of the Satong was dominant - oh how I wish it had been a chiming guitar though! They really were at their best in their extended funky workouts which brought real edge to the music. I like a bit of rough and this was certainly a visceral sonic experience which, together with their unusual appearance, made this a memorable evening. Great stuff.