In a crowded festival marketplace that nevertheless often cleaves to a relatively timid and tight crop of British, European and American artists, Womad provides a vital yearly reminder of the breadth of the planet’s music. There are artists from more than 40 countries here, ranging from quirky Balkan folk to global hip-hop and African bands, with Mokoomba leading the latter charge.
Starting out in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, they have evolved into fine, rousing musicians who take their influences from across the continent. Opening with a bluesy guitar solo from Trustworth Samende, they evoked the glory days of Zimbabwean music with echoes of the Bhundu Boys and Oliver Mtukudzi mixed in with a dash of Congolese soukous, before singer Mathias Muzaza introduced western African styles. Then they change direction again with glorious six-part acapella harmony songs that sounded like a gutsy version of South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, complete with dance routines. A magnificent set, though it was unfortunate that Nyansola, a plea for rain, proved effective.
