Roberto Fonseca

An Eastern-flavoured opener introduced a night of exotic fusion with Fonseca’s piano playing over vocal samples and ngoni. A heavy percussion intro powered a frenetic trinity of guitar, piano and flute that teetered on jazz rock but showcased the Havana-born leader’s virtuosity. A tepid vocoder-led ballad was the weakest point of the set but one of many rousing Afro-Cuban pieces regained momentum with a dazzling flute solo and explosive work from Fonseca. The addition of kora accentuated the recurring African element of the songs, particularly on ‘Bibisa’. The final high-speed number earned this fine ensemble a well-deserved standing ovation.

Concert Hall Brighton Dome, 29 March 2012

Rating: