MALVERN-based reggae musician Ben Okafor, who was featured in the Gazette & Reporter last month, will be performing songs from his latest album, Coffee with Lazarus, at the Huntingdon Hall in Worcester, on Tuesday, January 15.

The Nigerian-born artist is said to move reggae into new places, with some African folk, ska and a little jazz thrown into the mix.

The 11 songs on the new album include such personal, passionate and meaningful tracks as No Stopping, written about the death of his baby son, and Palace, about the continuing battle against injustice.

As a teenager, Ben was caught up in the Biafran war which tore Nigeria apart in the late 60's. Later, he came to Europe as a refugee, and after studying theology, has pursued his musical career.

His previous albums, Nirku and Generation, were well-received in the UK and even better in the US, where they sold in the high thousands.

Ben has toured extensively in the US, Europe, Nigeria and South Africa, and has appeared in sell-out performances at Ronnie Scott's.