Despite studying music at school, Aar Maanta ended up completing a science degree at university. But, once graduated, his passion for music took over and he began the Horn 2 Grove music project bringing traditional Somali music together with Western musical influences like house and reggae into a fusion described as Afro Hop. Initially a studio project that generated his 2009 Hiddo & Dhaqan album, his concern about the UK's lack of Somali-based live music led him to form the multi-cultural collective that's with him for this tour. With its echoes of the Ethioipiques as well as Senegalese hip-hop and the occasional, inevitable up-beat reggae number Aar Maanta's Afro Hop sound should be about to add another splendidly enjoyable strand to the rich cultural mix on our doorstep. Tony Benjamin (Bristol Post, Oct 2013)