THUMP FESTIVAL 2013: Richard Bona/Gonzalo Rubalcaba/Ernesto Simpson

Grammy nominated Cameroonian vocalist, bassist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bona established himself via some slick, funk-edged collaborations with Joe Zawinul, Michael Brecker and Bobby McFerrin. He's since become a highly acclaimed solo artist, who's much better live than on record: his show is a tour de force that combines his Pastorius-style bass chops with his soaring, angelic vocals, in both English and the Duala language of Cameroon. Bona's danceable fusion of African roots, Latin, funk and soul is bolstered by his high-calibre trio, including Cubans Rubalcaba on piano and Simpson on drums.