In the UK, genuine African superstars have been somewhat thin on the ground since the halcyon days of Youssou N'Dour and Salif Keita. All three acts featured in this year's prestigious African Soul Rebels showcase have the potential to fill those giants' shoes - given mainstream exposure of course.

Opening the show was melancholy Algerian singer-songwriter Souad Massi. Backed by a potentially roof-raising band with a propensity for hot-blooded Mediterranean grooves, she chose to cut them a short leash as her poignant, tightly structured vignettes unfolded. Occasionally hypnotic, occasionally soporific, it was a set that might have benefited from a few more up-tempo numbers in the vein of the fabulous Berber-flavoured knees-up Manensa Asli.

Emmanuel Jal was next. Formerly a child soldier pressganged by the Sudanese rebel militia, he has miraculously transformed himself into one of Africa's hottest hip-hop artists. A floppy, knock-kneed dancer prone to euphoric outbursts about the joys of peace and understanding, Jal soon had the audience in the palm of his hand. He enjoyed lusty accompaniment from soul singer Ayak Thiik, along with multi-faceted instrumental support courtesy of turntable maestro and jazzy electric pianist Davidson Lynch-Shyllon.

Awarded the job of providing a rousing finale, the veteran blind Malian vocal duo Amadou and Mariam took the bull by the horns. Clearly gleeful at their recent elevation from perennial foyer sideshow attraction to major league act, they provided a rampaging fusion of desert blues, swirling Latin-rock and big-band R&B. Given that Malian music can be the most subtly seductive in the world, there was perhaps a little too much emphasis on bludgeoning four-four beats and wailing electric guitar solos. Indeed, it was telling that the audience danced less here than they had to drummer-less Emmanuel Jal. But all told, this was a fitting finale to a hot, funky evening.

· At Dome Concert Hall, Brighton (01273 709709), tomorrow, then touring.