Aged just 23, with a sultry figure and a gorgeous, husky voice, Mayra Andrade is a rising star. Less than six months ago she made her London debut supporting Angelique Kidjo at the Barbican. Last night, she was back as the star and the hall was packed. She opened with the catchiest song about democracy you could wish to hear.

On paper, Mayra Andrade comes from Cape Verde, the former Portuguese cluster of volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa. But she was born in Cuba, has lived in Senegal and Germany as well as Cape Verde and is now based in Paris. Apart from one number in French, her songs are in the Portuguese creole of Cape Verde and ooze that soulful yearning that characterises the music of the islands.

There are influences from Africa and Brazil, and her infectious songs are finely supported by a four-piece band of delicate cavaquinho guitar, acoustic guitar, bass and percussion. Not surprisingly Andrade is nominated as "best newcomer" in the forthcoming BBC Awards for World Music so if there's any justice she'll be back soon.

Also nominated in the Europe category of the BBC Awards was the support act Son de la Frontera, who preceded Andrade's feminine charms with testosterone-fuelled flamenco. The dark, ferocious vocals of Mol de Moron were accompanied by flamenco guitar, a Cuban tres guitar giving a distinctive twang to the sound, plus formidable clapping and footwork. It was a fiery start to a strongly contrasted concert.