Although Shakara United doesn't want to be pinned down as an afrobeat band, it's a delight to finally hear some Belgium made "Nigerian funk" again after the break-up of Belgian Afrobeat Association. This self-titled debut should have been recorded in front of a live audience at the W.C.C. Zuiderpershuis, but, after the unexpected closure of the centre, Shakara United had to go in search of another location to record the album ('Bye W.C.C. Zuiderpershuis Bye' is a beautiful homage to the defunct Antwerp world music centre), finally ending up at the legendary Jet Studio in Brussels. In addition to afrobeat, Shakara United also ventures into other genres every now and then (the Latin-inspired 'Terra Prometida', the South African township jive of 'Kukunanatzi' and 'Modern Times' and the jazz influences on 'Woman, Woman, Woman'). As a cover illustration for the album Shakara United decided on 'Lost Persons Paradise' a not immediately African-like work by Lucy Borghouts. Convincing debut effort by a band that will guarantee us a good time for a while yet!