Get yourselves down to the Jazz Cafe this Wednesday for MOKOOMBA – some seriously infectious Tonga dancing magic.  Read more on bbc news…  and then rush to Get your tickets here.

If you’ve been to an Africa Express gig before, email us at info@africaexpress.co.uk and we might be able to sort you out with a bit of a ticket discount

This should be an unmissable gig. Three Mali music greats – Bassekou Kouyate from Segou, Tamikrest from Kidal and Sidi Touré from Gao – will be at The Barbican London on Jan 26th to celebrate Malian culture’s invincible spirit and lament the Sahara’s wounded soul.

For more details go to The Barbican website

Check this fantastic collaboration between the Portuguese indi-rockers Throes and the Kuduro duo The Shine.  Kuduro is the sound of modern Angola…fast, furious and funky!

M.anifest and M3nsa on the mic at Africa Express, Creative Commons, Bristol. Photo by Brian Okello

Mid-Morning on Sunday 2 September, I sauntered towards Euston in London with Jupiter Bokondji from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and about 15 other musicians from Mali and Senegal. Most of us had only just met. It was a colourful group that drew curious stares. Among us I would guess at least eight languages were spoken. We all had only just a vague idea of where the station was, yet if we were anxious about finding it or getting there on time none of us wore that anxiety visibly. As we walked, other musicians on the tour joined us and we all got to Euston without making a wrong turn and without any one to shepherd us there.

It works as a loose metaphor for the Africa Express experience: making music with 80-plus musicians who you know to be brilliant, yet having to take a leap of faith to step into the unknown and trusting that playing together will lead somewhere.

We set off to Leeds on our own chartered train – The Africa Express– and jamming sessions in the rehearsal carriage began immediately. Being able to wander casually into that carriage to play with Tony Allen, Amadou Bagayoko, Baaba Maal and Damon Albarn for me was really something else. But folks weren’t idling around waiting for their turn. Instead, smaller groups would gather in different carriages making music on the spot and sharing conversations. I saw Diabel Cissohko with his kora playing with Baaba Maal and Rokia Traore’s singers, Australian group the Temper Trap with the Very Best, punk group the Bots and the guitarist Seye, while Marques Toliver was with Martina Topley Bird.

By the time the train reached Leeds for rehearsals on that first day it became clear there would be no formula for the gigs. The only constants were that there would be lots of new collaborations and none of us musicians would have a clue what the set list would comprise each night. It felt as if we were entering into Middlesbrough on Monday with hours of jamming behind us but with very little actually rehearsal.But no one was particular perturbed by that – as if the universe had clued in our spirits to the magic that was about to happen. At the end of the gig that evening, the crowd chanted “we want more” and I knew the week ahead of us would be special.

It is no exaggeration when I say that each show was remarkably different. In Glasgow on the third night a second room at the venue had to be opened at the last minute to contain the growing crowd.Jupiter & Okwess International turned the second space into one long party. In Manchester and then in Cardiff, Spoek Mathambo’s collaborations with Jack Steadman from Bombay Bicycle Club and the Very Best had everyone raving.

I was amazed by the openness of the musicians on the train. M1 of Dead Prez welcomed all the MCs on board for the live version of his classi Hip-Hop, whiles a head-banging version of Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir had John Paul Jones playing mandolin as part of a line-up that included Amadou and Rokia as well as the rappers Bashy and Kano. In Bristol on the Friday night, the setlist was different again, as more and more acts had started collaborating, but the crazy reaction from the audience showed everything was working. So when Paul McCartney joined us at Granary Square in London for Saturday’s grand finale it was fitting his performance was done the Africa Express way: with over a dozen collaborators, each at different stage of their career..

It will take me a while to unpack what just happened on this tour. I feel like I lived a whole lifetime in a week. Experiencing this community of musicians has shaken my world. In a week we played music on train platforms, in hotel lobbies, with community groups, in other intimate spaces and on big stages. I smile every time I remember performing my song Suffer and seeing UK crowds who hadn’t heard it before The Africa Express reached them singing along loudly to the refrain “You’ve never known joy if you’ve never had to suffer!” It makes me smile more remembering that I performed it in a wildly collaborative fashion with people most of whom I had only just met: the Bots, the Temper Trap, the beatboxer Reeps 1 (from north London), the rappers M3nsa (from Ghana) and Kareem Rush (from Egypt), Romeo Stodart from the Magic Numbers and the South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai. On the Africa Express train African music was put in the forefront and flourished so beautifully in collaboration. Reggae musician Richie Spice once sang “music is a mission not a competition;” that week I learned it is also a contribution.

M.anifest (c) 2012.

Spoek Mathambo, Jack Steadman and Peter Hook play ‘Control’ at Africa Express, The Ritz, Manchester. Photo by Simon Phipps

“This is the best project I’ve ever been involved in in my whole career” - Baaba Maal

‘The Africa Express was one of the most worthwhile and enjoyable projects I have ever been involved in.  To meet and unite with people from such different ends of the musical spectrum was infinitely rewarding. The linguistic and cultural barriers were effortlessly surpassed through music, openness and sheer good will. Normally ‘jamming’ would be seen amongst my peers as an indulgence, here it was merely a doorway to something great where spontaneous music became bigger than the sum of it’s parts. A true reminder of why I started playing music in the first place free from expectation and conditioning. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”  - Carl Barat

“Africa and its’ friends were there on the train around the UK, the music was beautiful, the audience amazed..! I was elated by this extraordinary and unique adventure, which also happened to be an opportunity for me to spend time with artists that I love and I do not often get to see. I thank all the organizers for their concern about our comfort and our serenity. I miss you all!” – Rokia Traore

“I was a pleasure for me to live through this train experience. Never has a train been so musical.  I loved the sense of togetherness and complicity between the artists, and I also really appreciated the ‘pop ups’ when I had the opportunity to play in hospitals and schools.  Africa Express is magical every time.  Thanks to everyone.” – Amadou Bagayoko (Amadou & Mariam).

“Every time an invitation comes to join Africa Express I know I’m in for a rich and rewarding musical experience, and the train was no exception! The vibe and camaraderie made for just the best breeding ground for some exciting and unexpected collaboration. Long may this wonderful organization flourish! ” - John Paul Jones.

“A fabulous experience; well organized and gathering an array of wonderful artists whose aim and vision was to tell and express love and the beauty of music” - Fatoumata Diawara

“That indefatigable train with more than 80 happy, talented and smiling musicians on board will remain engraved on my memory: the countryside in northern England, those animals in the fields, those Congolese jams in every train station, those shows in all kinds of neutral spaces, those rehearsals on the train, those concerts in front of beautiful audiences and some huge meals…all that thanks to a team of organizers who were attentive, courageous, friendly and above all…volunteers!  I dare confirm that this whole experience taught me a lot and will remain for me the biggest musical adventure of my life, and I say that sincerely from the heart.” – Afel Bocoum

“For me, and I think many other of the Western musicians, this was unfamiliar. We spent weeks rehearsing for our tours, and indeed would always have at least one practice on the train before each show. Once on stage, the African musicians would take what we rehearsed, grab hold of it and hurl it into places we never imagined. I found it exhilarating. As we said “goodbye” with exchanges of email addresses and promises of future projects, I felt inspired like never before. An unlocking had occurred. To be watching was a privilege, let alone to be involved. I am forever thankful.”  - Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club)

“Me, Jupiter, and my group, Otwess International would like to thank the organizers of Africa Express for inviting us along. It allowed us to get to know music from elsewhere and above all to share the diversity of international culture with famous artists like Damon Albarn, Amadou and Baaba Maal. We’ll got back to the Congo with our minds strengthened and rich in material. Thanks again and good luck for the future…” – Jupiter Bokondji (Jupiter & Okwess International)

“Being a part of this fantastic adventure has been eye opening for us as musicians and as people, from busking in the streets of Stoke, playing with Amadou in a Bradford hospital or just the sheer energy on the stage at the London show as we all piled on for one final song together. Thanks to everyone who made it happen and for letting us be a part of such a wonderful endeavour.” - The Temper Trap

“Definitely was a shock coming down from the high that was Africa Express.  Huuuge thanks for including me in the lovely experience…really and truly the best tour I’ve ever been part of.  Thanks and regards to the whole team for making it so awesome!” – Spoek Mathambo

“Thanks a million for having me on board. What an awesome experience!! Really honoured to be involved in something so meaningful. The music was truly the essence of the project and brought everyone together. We made enough music to last a life time, and the AE adventure created memories that will also last a lifetime in spirit and in truth. I will be holding onto the events of September 2012 for eternity…BOOM!!”  - Pauli the PSM

“I was blowed away…you made HISTORY. I’m just proud to have witnessed this moment, so proud to have met those fantastic artists. The strength of AE is  the management / entourage / friends who force all to be more open and more concerned about other people’s music and life.”  - Baloji

“Africa express is an experience like no other. Being one of over 80 musicians from all over the world let loose to be themselves and create music on a travelling train was the stuff of fantasies for me. Primarily because I understand that, for us to truly create something NEW and even revolutionary,we must collaborate. I am always excited by the idea of doing something new and so was devastated when a bought of bronchitis damaged my vocal chords during the tour. None the less I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my experience on the Africa Express.” – Thandiswa

“Thank you so much for inviting me!  Honestly one of the best experiences of my life.”  - Kyla la Grange

“We would like to say thank you very much that you invited us for Africa Express. It was an unbelievably well organized tour. All of us in Krar Collective had really nice time, a very good experience to be with more than 80 musicians. Thanks to Damon and especially Stephen who gave us this chance and was working with us very hard and treated us like family members. We were very very happy about very well organized tour. Thanks too to all the musicians. This was a good experience how to work with others and we met good people and we learned different things from them. Tell Stephen to do it again – and remind him he promised to send me the Africa Express t-shirt!” - Temesgen Zeleke, Genet Assefa  & Robel Grum Taye (Krar Collective)

“I’ve been a fan of Baaba Maal since i first heard ‘Firin’ in Fouta’ in the 90s. When we got to the Africa Express compound, Dave, Will and I were pretty overwhelmed. I sat down and closed my eyes and asked the skies for some guidance – my band mates looked on, confused at my sudden urge of spirituality. Suddenly, I felt a strong energy on my left. I open my eyes and start walking towards this feeling. I see a man lying on the rugs on the floor. I say hello and present myself. I ask him his name – it was Baaba Maal. We ended up playing “Sidiki” my favorite cut from “Firin’ in fouta” that night with him and a few other musicians. Only at African Express – thanks for an unforgettable time.” - Nicolas Jaar

“Buzzing with tour still!!!  The best train ride I’ve had my peeps.  Much music was played.  Hours and hours and hours and hours of laughter…TOO MUCH COMEDY ON THE TRAIN. The biggy of all is the talented awesome human beings of Africa Express. It has to be the greatest team I have been involved in. The train tour never lacked passion and generosity throughout. The best way I could describe the experience is like…you had to be there!!!”  - Mim Suleiman

“i just made it back to Cairo last night and i have to say i’m suffering africa express withdrawal symptoms now…i want to wake up and hop on the train and jam everyday….thats where our homes should be.  i cant even begin to figure out how to thank you for the great oppertunity and the great chance to be on such a great event with such great legends wether its the musicians or you and the guys who made that epic a reality. i really hope from the bottom of my heart this happens again….and i reallly hope to see u and everyone else soon.”  – Karim ‘Rush’ Adel (Arabian Knightz)

“Words are only going to sell what I have to say next short ,but if I had to choose a few to describe the Africa Express experience I would use some of these and that’s still not enough!: Amazing, euphoric, inspirational, elevating, peaceful, hopeful, beautiful and fucking Epic!!!! I’d say Live 8 is a parody compared to what Damon and the Africa Express team have achieved with sheer determination and genuine love for the culture of Africa. Proud to have been a part of it! Xx”  - Terri Walker

“The time on the train was amazing, it was like being part of the best international musical circus – and my good god did people get a heck of a show with Cirque de Damon. I felt honoured and lucky to even be on there and on top of that to play with such amazing musicians with NO EGO? I was like a kid in a musical candy store. It was amazing, i miss the train, normal trains are just never gunna do it for me now.” – Seye (The Very Best)

“It was just magical!!” – Mehdi Haddab

“The Africa Express train was one of the most amazing experiences ever for me. The people, the music, the train, the shows, the family that we became for a week. I tried not to come on to the train with too much expectations, but not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how totally mind blowingly cool it would be!  It will be a week that i look back on for the rest of my life, that’s for sure.” – Johan Hugo (The Very Best)

“Inspiring, tiring and wonderfully challenging, I played in the early hours the day I was due to board the expess from Euston so little sleep just added to the dream like nature of turning up and being surrounded by hand selected, talented musicians. Ill be honest I think that feeling was the closest anyone will ever get to leaving for Hogwarts. The Cardiff hotel had a huge entrance hall with a bar and I remember walking in after the show and it looking like a Greek philosophers amphitheater. All sorts of talented individuals with arms round each other bonding, sharing and challenging each other’s ideas. I said that on that night we were the most varied and resourceful band in the world. It was not about individuals anymore. My instrument being so different and having so many musical places within a sound meant the whole trip I could weave in and out of different jams and vibes and it was amazing to focus on individual sounds as opposed to creating a whole soundscape like I’m used too. I even picked up some new African percussion sounds like the talking drum. It was definitely the most musically healthy week of my life.”  - Harry Yeff aka Reeps One.