This September Stratford Circus will play host to a fabulous showcase of African concerts as part of the London African Music Festival. Stratford Circus is a pulsing arts centre in the heart of London's booming East End. This September chase those end-of-summer blues away with a quality quartet of performances by The Master Drummers of Africa, The Yoruba Women's Choir, Ska Cubano and the almighty Mad Professor.

Below enjoy our previews of each event. See you down the front! 

We are pleased to announce an exclusive competition for www.worldmusic.net readers...

Click here for a chance to win 2 x tickets to Mad Professor - Thursday 20 September 

The Master Drummers of Africa - Wednesday 19 September

There is a reason The Master Drummers of Africa have been dubbed 'the world'sgreatest drum orchestra'. In full force their music is powerful and pounding. Their shows last for up to three hours and explores the rich variety of drum rhythms from across the African continent. Their performance illustrates the connection of such rhythms to derivative musical genres such as jazz, salsa, Western classical music, rock and roll, Punjabi bhangra, Moroccan trance music and more. 

Their performance at Stratford Circus will be their first in two years and they will premiere a new suite titled, Thunder And Lightening. 

Ska Cubano - Thursday 20 September 2012

Ska Cubano mash together the sweet music of Jamaica with the funky brass traditions of Cuba. The result is a wild party band who have rock stages from Kingston to Tokyo. 

The band formed back in the early noughties when Peter A. Scott travelled to Santiage de Cuba with Top Cats singer Natty Bo. There they recorded the Ska Cubano album over two years. Upon their return to the UK they formed a local line-up which has now evolved into the full and funky live band. The ensemble features a heavy smattering brass, tight rhythm section and lead vocalists. 

For a feel good Thursday night, don't miss their stop at Stratford Circus:

Mad Professor 'Dub Me Crazy Africa' - Friday 21 September

Mad Professor is one of the most important artists in Dub history. His moniker came about due to his obsession and skill with electronics and musical equipement. Starting out as a producer he opened his own recording studio from his living room in Croydon, later moving to larger premises in Peckham, London. Rising to prominence over the years, he is now cited as a powerful and prolific producer. He has worked with the likes of Lee "Scratch" Perry, Sly and Robbie, Pato Banton, Massive Attack and more.

In his show Dub Me Crazy Africa at Stratford Circus this September, Mad Professor will explore Madinka and Yoruba cultures and sounds. This exploratory and experimental show is sure to be an interesting insight in to the twisted but brilliant logic of the Mad Professor.  

The Yoruba Women Choir and Bumi Thomas - Wednesday 26 September

This line-up sees acoustic Jazz-folk-soul singer Bumi Thomasprovide support to the everstrongYoruba Women's Choir.

Bumi was born in Glasgow, and raised between the calm Nigerian desert and the hustling-bustling city of Lagos.Now she resides in London, and her music represents the journey of a modern African in the Diaspora.

The Yoruba Women's Choir are a powerful ten piece led by Funmi Olawumi. The band mix gospel songs with secular, and are a force to be reckoned with on stage.