The liner notes for Soul Makassar, Tarika's latest album, attack globalisation with a fury worthy of Naomi Klein. "Pop music has taken over other people's culture," thunders lead singer Rasoanaivo Hanitrarivo (aka Hanitra). "The global music industry is like a cancer to me."

So the five-piece group from Madagascar shun the omnipresent synths and bland beats of international pop by using modernised versions of the island's traditional instruments. Yet their material may remind westerners of the pop of a more innocent era - their songs have the urgent sweetness of doo-wop and the freshness of the Kinks or early Motown.

They often perform little two-step dance routines reminiscent of the Shadows - techniques that make the most of a tiny stage, particularly suiting the regal Hanitra, who thrills the crowd with the distinctive way she swivels her hips and hands.

She gives each song a short introduction: they're about politics, food, love, heartbreak and homesickness. The vocal harmonies are rich and note-perfect, with a particu larly appealing blend between Hanitra, her sister Noro and bassist Solo. Guitarist Ny Ony is a tower of instrumental strength, investing each song with a powerful harmonic and rhythmic drive and adding a smattering of surf-style solos.

But Tarika's secret weapon is Donné, dressed like an African Sgt Pepper, who plays half a dozen different instruments: from the valihy (a kora-like bamboo affair strung with unravelled bicycle cable) to stomping hand drums. From time to time one of the three male musicians plays the kabosy, a miniature guitar; in the absence of conventional drums, it's used for percussive drive.

Tarika's repertoire is easily approachable, from the subtlety and rhythmic complexity of Sulawesi to the sunny singalong of Koba and Allo Cheri, but the music avoids homogeneity for the sake of accessibility. When it comes to globalisation, says Hanitra, "we should think about salad rather than soup". The five Malagasy musicians serve up a particularly delicious and additive-free platter.

Tarika play the Royal Festival Hall, London SE1, on Friday 13 supporting Cesaria Evora, then tour. Box office: 020 7960 4242.