Frederica Boswell BBC Network Africa

	Music from Africa, Jamaica and Brazil - for free!

So for me, the opportunity to go to Africa Oye in Liverpool was too good to pass up.

It was a chance to see music from Africa, Brazil and Jamaica, and all of it was free.

It is significant that the UK's largest free African music festival is held in Liverpool because the city is home to the country's oldest black community with its origins in the time of slavery.

Between 1700 and 1800 Liverpool was one of the busiest slave-trading ports on the Atlantic with its ships accounting for over 40% of the European slave trade from Africa to the New World.

The music

Brazil's Cabruêra kicked off proceedings. They got the crowd warmed up, and then spent the rest of the festival playing football in the park.

From Network Africa Hear Frederica's report

Next Mozambique's Eyuphuro blew onstage. The name means 'whirlwind' and expresses the effect that the music is meant to have on their audience.

I got taken up by their twister! Musically, they were my favourite act of the weekend.

This is their comeback tour; their original 80s incarnation was formed by Omar Issa, Gimo Remane and vocalist Zena Bacar.

Now, nine years after their split, the group has been reformed by Zena with new member, Issufo Manuel.

Crowd favourites

Bonga was one of the festival highlights.

The success of his performance owed a great deal to the bonhomie and enthusiasm of his fans.

Angola's draw against Mexico in the World Cup in Germany the previous evening brought the football shirts out in force.

Having such a high profile Angolan musician in their midst, added to the mood and dancing started in earnest.

One fan was so excited that he grabbed my microphone to sing along with his hero.

Luciano was the crowd's absolute favourite. He had limitless energy, jumped off the stage to hold the numerous babies being thrust at him and sung to the children of Africa.

The coolest man of the weekend was Senegal's Nuru Kane.

	Nuru Kane's fantastic stage get-up held the audience's gaze

His blends of north and west African rhythms and melodies were almost trance-like.

But then, you are pulled from your reverie by his eye-catching stage costume. He looked fantastic.

Sunday

On day two our moods dropped reflecting the lowering of the temperature.

Malian, and former Ali Farka Touré collaborator, Afel Bocoum took to the stage.

His songs critique contemporary Malian society and backstage later, he sang a song for journalists about the River Niger and the dangers of desertification which he says no African leader is willing to address.

He regards the late Touré as his mentor and greatest influence.

Outta time

My rota had me back in the office first thing Monday morning so I had to head off to catch my train back to London before the final curtain.

I was disappointed not to see Tiken Jah Fakoly who closed the event, and I was later told he was fantastic.

Maybe I'll catch him there next year.