Where: Stroud Subscription Rooms

When: Saturday, October 14, 8pm

After 24 years of mixing African and Celtic music in equal measures, Baka Beyond have become one of the finest danceable bands around, creating the sound of the global village.

Not just a touring band, Baka Beyond have a unique relationship with their inspiration - the Baka Pygmies of Cameroon - sending royalties to help their development projects, and even touring with Baka musicians.

Baka Beyond was founded in 1993 after British musicians Martin Cradick and Su Hart had visited the Baka Pygmies of the Cameroon rainforests after seeing a TV documentary. So inspired were they by their magical rhythms and melodies that they recorded an album Spirit of the Forest under the name Baka Beyond, which pushed them into worldwide recognition.

In order to make sure that the Baka get their fair return for their compositions they also founded the charity, Global Music Exchange, and so started this very positive African-European collaboration.

Since these early beginnings when the term "world music" barely existed, Baka Beyond has evolved into a multicultural, dynamic live stage show and album sales top a quarter of a million copies.

Band members hail from Brittany, Cameroon, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Congo and Ghana as well as Britain.

The energy of their thoroughly uplifting and seamless blend of African rhythm and Celtic melody defies anybody to sit still. They recently headlined Edmonton Folk Festival and wowed the 15,000 strong crowds.

The current touring unit will bring the Spirit of the Forest to fans old and new. Martin Cradick (guitar), Su Hart (vocals) and Clyde Kramer (drums) have all spent time living and playing music with the Baka Pygmies in their rainforest home.

Ayodele Scott (percussion) brings the rhythms and colour of his native Sierra Leone

to the mix, while all these elements are grounded by the solid Congolese grooves of Kibisingo (bass). The line-up is completed by the delicious harmonies of Ellie Jamison (vocals).