AN annual event has become a mustn’t-miss date: three of the finest acts from the previous 12 months packaged into one night.

Except to refer to Orchestre Poly-Rythmo in the context of last year would be to omit the last 40. Big in Benin in the 70s, this 11-piece mix funk, afrobeat and their native Voudoun tradition to produce some mighty tunes.

Big, bass-driven grooves on record, on stage exploding with joyful brass. Fast-paced but with a swagger, this is what cool sounds like.

Next up are the ambient Kalahari Surfers, a deviation from the more traditional line-ups of these shows in recent years. This lot provided the first ever bassist to ask me the way to Tesco before a gig, not to mention some thoughtful electronica (reminiscent of Tricky) full of samples, apple macs and songs called Child Soldier. They operated, and fought, against Botha’s apartheid regime in South Africa. Hats off.

Finally, the main event, Malian superstar Oumou Sangare. Maker of one of 2009’s finest albums (of any genre) Seya, here was one of modern music’s finest voices at work.

From a whisper to a thundering cry, she is effortlessly powerful. Highlights include a glorious Sounsoumba and a foot-tapping Wele Wele Wintou.

In a French English we all understand, she says no to “marriage par force”. She could be the Miriam Makeba for our day, so trenchantly does she speak for the women of Africa. Her music speaks for itself.