It has been an eventful few months for Ramsgate musician, poet and artist Neil Sparkes, who is gearing up for a rare east Kent gig.

Neil has been touring Europe as guest percussionist with The Stranglers and seen the release of two albums, including one upon which he collaborated with Peter Gabriel.

The composer, vocalist and producer, is preparing for an art exhibition in the south of France later this month and is gigging at Whitstable’s Horsebridge Centre on Saturday, September 13 with the amazing African percussion ensemble Bougarabou.

The group is headed by Neil and Ghanaian master drummer, Ben Baddoo.

The gig will again feature Kadialy Kouyate from Senegal. The young musician and singer is a skilled player of the African stringed kora from a long line of traditional native storytellers.

Neil, of Temple of Sound and formerly TransGlobal Underground, has a notable and multi-culturally rich track record.

The former Dover Grammar School boy who was brought up in Deal, has appeared on stages across the globe in the frontline of world music, dance and dub.

He co-wrote Habibe and Burn You Up, Burn You Down with Peter Gabriel and Karl Wallinger tracks included on the long, newly released album Big Blue Wall.

This eagerly anticipated collection of tracks by leading global artistes was recorded at Gabriel’s Real World Studios over three years.

Neil’s latest project is Loungeclash, formed with Sam Dodson, founder member of cult punk band The Transmitters. They merge electronic and acoustic sounds in a roots reggae mould.

Their debut album Dread Time Story was released worldwide on July 28 and is available through HMV.

In Bougarabou, Neil and Ben combine a passion for African drum traditions and melodies incorporating music from Ghana, Senegal, Central and West Africa, with jazz.

Their sound has been described as “rootsy, percussive music with a natural organic flavour” and “an acoustic atmospheric groove with a heady mix of vocals, kora, balafon and drums.”

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/benbadooneilsparkesbougarabou and www.myspace.com/neilsparkesandthelasttribe The Whitstable gig is at 8pm. Tickets are £10 and £12 and bookable at the centre, call 01227 281174