Portuguese singer Maria Joao is a true original, mixing her native folk music and jazz elements with influences from Africa, Brazil and India. On stage she was bursting with energy, performing vocal acrobatics for close to two hours without a break.

Coinciding with Portugal's national day, the concert was arranged by the Improvised Music Company and the Portugese embassy. Joao was joined by two excellent musicians: pianist Mario Laginha and Norwegian percussionist Helge Norbakken. All the songs performed were written by Joao and Laginha.

The songs did not fall into easy verse-chorus formats, instead freewheeling through shifting moods and dramatic style changes. The big problem was the language barrier - not understanding Portugese seriously limits appreciation, especially as the lyrics were so wordy. And unfortunately Joao didn't introduce any of the songs, which might have made things more accessible.

However, musically it was all magnificent. Joao and Laginha showed a perfect understanding, managing to slide from solos to unison passages with frightening precision. Joao has a vast range, from high-pitched, fragile scatting to deep, aggressive wailing. She also performed a stunning solo made up entirely of spoken and rhythmic vocal effects. Her exhibitionism contrasted nicely with Laginha's restrained approach.

Helge Norbakken had an unusual array of percussion instruments and produced consistently surprising (but musically apt) effects - one slow vocal passage was accompanied by a rustling plastic bag.

An exhilarating concert, despite the language problem.