Kefaya are one of the most intriguing new bands of the year. They started as a four-piece, with the Italian guitarist Giuliano Modarelli and keyboard player Al MacSween joined by bass and drums, but have developed into a global collective with a fluid lineup of musicians. There’s nothing wrong with that, but too much change can be confusing. This was the launch concert for their excellent debut album Radio International, but only three of the nine musicians on stage had played on the record, and the set only included three album tracks.
The core band began by demonstrating their potential, with a passionate instrumental that showcased Modarelli’s extraordinary acoustic guitar work as he switched from flamenco to Middle Eastern influences, before trading solos with the equally versatile MacSween, who added jazz improvisation. Then came an impressive cast of soloists, with the Indian singer Deepa Nair Rasiya followed by the Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate, the Afghan singer Elaha Soroor and the great Cuban-born jazz violinist Omar Puente. Modarelli and MacSween provided versatile backing for them all.
The finest songs were the handful from the album. A fresh treatment of New Routes mixed Afghan influences with stomping dub reggae, while Indignados matched the voices of Soroor and Rasiya against a thrilling Puente violin work-out and impressive guitar solos. It was a bravely entertaining show, but a curious album launch.
• At Celtic Connections, Glasglow, 29-30 January. Box office: 0141-353 8000.
