Orkesta Mendoza are a rousing and experimental Latin fusion band based in Tucson, Arizona, but dominated by two musicians who were born in Sonora, Mexico. At the front of the stage is Sergio Mendoza, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer, best known for his work with Calexico, and next to him is the dapper, furiously energetic veteran singer Salvador Duran. They are joined by a trumpeter who also plays slide guitar, a trombone player who switches to clarinet, keyboards and accordion, along with bass and drums. They start with a cumbia dance song dressed up with a dash of hip-hop and a stomping ska-tinged beat, then veer into a kaleidoscope of Latin styles and western pop.

Originally formed to pay tribute to the “king of mambo”, Pérez Prado, they now pioneer what Mendoza calls “indie mambo”, a style that mixes attack with unexpected arrangements. Appearing at this year’s La Linea festival, they put less emphasis on the electronica or widescreen approach of their recent album, ¡Vamos a Guarachar!, and acted instead as a gloriously sophisticated party band. One minute the trumpeter suddenly appeared in the middle of the audience, then there were echoes of 60s instrumental rock as they mixed keyboards, brass and guitar on Mapache. Then they changed direction again with Shadows of the Mind, a cool, half-spoken mood piece that segued into another furious Latin stomp.

Orkesta Mendoza are still little-known here, but that should change once they play the summer festivals.

•At Band on the Wall, Manchester, 23 April. Box office: 0161-834 1786. Then touring until 26 April.

>