This was both a disaster and one of the most rousing shows of the year. The grandly titled "Nile festival" consisted of two remarkably fine bands, including a veteran Ethiopian superstar, playing in a large dancehall to a ridiculously small crowd. Why? Lack of publicity, maybe, or the ticket prices, or the fact that Mahmoud Ahmed is soon to play another London concert.

It was a dreadful night for the promoter, but great for the few of us there, because the musicians decided to transform embarrassment into a memorable party. Ahmed is a one-time shoe-shine boy who became one of the most successful singers and band-leaders in Ethiopia. Like South Africa, this is a country that has looked to the US for inspiration, and has a strong jazz scene, which developed back in the days of Haile Selassie (who preferred brass bands to all those reggae anthems written about him).

The emperor would have approved of Ahmed's lineup, dominated by two sturdy sax players, along with guitar, drums, keyboards and a bass-player with a fine line in slinky R&B riffs. Then there was the grey-haired star himself, transforming the songs with his powerful singing. This was both a virtuoso vocal work-out and rousing dance music, with Ahmed showing off his shoulder-shaking and a pogo dance technique that would have shamed the punks. He was a delight to watch.

It was a good night, too, for El Tanbura from Port Said, Egypt. They started slowly, playing flute and harps that looked as ancient as those depicted on a pharoah's tomb, and then brought in hand-drums and an array of singers, whose trance-like songs built in intensity as they leaped from the stage to the dance floor. They ended with a glorious workout that turned out to be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez canal. The Palais should have been packed.

· Mahmoud Ahmet is at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London SE1, on May 26. Box office: 08703 800 400.