The roof was on fire when the four launched into a nostalgic trip of the late Brenda Fassie's hits

THE African Soul Sisters came to the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg on Friday night to conquer an audience that was already on tenterhooks with anticipation.

Looking elegant in their long evening dresses that showed off their shoulders and long weaves that reminded the audience of Diana Ross and the Supremes, the ladies proved that their beauty went hand- in-hand with extreme vocal prowess and a tight band of seasoned musos.

Boasting the three original members in Nokukhanya Dlamini, Wanda Baloyi and Nombulelo Maqetuka, the trio featured powerhouse Gugu Shezi.

The first part of the show was dedicated to showcasing their powerful voices and songs with captivating melodies from their four individual offerings.

African Soul has never sounded this cool since the unforgettable Motown days. If you did not know any better, you would have been excused for assuming they were an American quartet on tour in our country.

That is how high the standard was. The fact that people braved the winter chill was testament to their appreciation of good music.

So it was not surprising when the ladies came back in casual gear to pay tribute to legends such as the late Miriam Makeba through Dlamini's rendition of Malaika, Baloyi's Iyaguduza Indoda and Mama Africa's version of the legendary Sergio Mendez's classic, Mashkinada, Shezi's late Busi Mhlongo classic Nting Tingi while Maqetuka's interpretation of Letta Mbulu's Maru A Pula bowled the crowd over.

The roof was on fire when the four launched into a nostalgic trip of the late Brenda Fassie's hits such as Too Late For Mama, Weekend Special and Leave me Alone, among many others.

All in all it was what the doctor ordered for the show, singing along and dancing the night away among friends and newly met ones, at a stunning venue and totally oblivious to the biting winter chill.