This boisterous evening began with a compelling set from Issa Bagayogo and his band.

An emerging star in Mali, his rich voice was backed by guitar, bass and percussion samples. Issa played the six-stringed kamel ngoni, its robust timbres a crucial part of the laid-back folk idiom that began the set.

The dancefloor filled up as the band got increasingly funky. The audience for African music would definitely welcome further visits from this artist.

Femi Kuti arrived to a rapturous reception and was clearly a master showman in the mould of his father.

Fela Kuti's Afrobeat template seemed an inescapable part of the evening and Femi a natural successor.

Few could touch him for the sheer verve and physical energy thrown into his singing, dancing and alto sax-playing.

Femi was at his most passionate when addressing the problems of his homeland; the echoes of Fela's agit-prop pulled no punches, with various "evil leaders" called to account.

The evening ranged widely between message-laden pieces such as Stop Aids and the sensuality of his riotous international hit Beng Beng Beng.

Further peaks in the Afrobeat style were Walk On The Right Side and Do Your Best.

A night that was equal parts Afrobeat party and an appeal to the conscience, Femi rammed the point home with his closing announcement: "That's why I play this music for you. I want you to think about Africa."