Unlike Europe's other postcolonial capitals — cities like Paris, Brussels and London — Prague has lagged behind with things African. As Meli-Melo manager Paco Diop says, "People don't know much about African music and culture in this country. But Czechs have recently started to discover it. Meli-Melo is one place where they can hear African music, live African drums and talk with African people."

Facilitating this cultural exchange are Meli-Melo's large open pub tables, suitable for conversation among both strangers and friends, a lively dance floor and a program that includes music most nights of the week. Diop admits that the mix is not always smooth, particularly with over-eager Czech drummers who have yet to pick up the etiquette and skill required for African percussion sessions. But they'll have a chance to improve this month, with sessions led by drum master Ephraim Goldin (limited to either experienced drummers or those serious about learning the art).

Diop also sees the club's musical influence spreading with the addition of Czech DJ Alesh One (aka Aleš Hyvnar). Alesh's weekly residency began mostly as a reggae/ragga-type set, but, prompted by suggestions from Meli-Melo's staff and regulars, he's started to include more African sounds in the mix.

Alfredo, who started his musical training when he was 10 years old with members of the National Ballet of Congo, pursued music mostly as a hobby during his teenage years. But, in the musically rich atmosphere of Kinshasa, which Alfredo describes as "fast and pushing," he was increasingly encouraged to break out his guitar at parties.

He segued into professional music in 1999, when he moved to Cape Town, South Africa, and began taking classes in recording technology while working with well-known jazz artists like Jimmy Dludlu and the Cape Town Jazz Workshop. His time there also allowed him to synthesize the many influences drawn from West and South Africa's vast contemporary and traditional musical landscape.

Arriving in Prague six months ago with the Cape Town puppet/multimedia troupe Paper Body Collective, Alfredo wasted no time in assembling his own band, which currently includes Jiří Vonka on bass, Zbyněk "Tokhi" Krupa on percussion and Radim Chrobok on drums. His Czech lineup has taken to African music with ease. After all, Alfredo says, "They are jazz-band players, and, when you give them something to play, they can do it easily." Along with their shared background in jazz, the most striking characteristic the band brings to the stage is a sense of rhythm that envelops the full circle of African sensibility with '90s techno, hip-hop and house rhythms.

At a recent Meli-Melo date, Prince Alfredo took the stage dressed in a suit made from African hand-printed fabric. He tested the drums, tuned his guitar, studied the salt-and-pepper audience and slowly began his set. This confident, unhurried approach did not keep the dance floor from quickly filling to capacity.