Tonight's appearance of vocal sensation Susheela Raman is the latest highlight in an enticing range of global performers to visit the city this summer.

Raman's debut CD Salt Rain catapulted her to the attention of many music fans, with a Mercury Prize nomination and victory in the Best Newcomer in the BBC World Music Awards 2002.

She said: "These awards are always welcome in raising the profile of performers and bringing certain musicians to wider appeal, such as Yat-Kha. They can serve you in that way."

She brings to her own songs a wide range of influences and fresh ideas, with her Tamil background and her upbringing in Australia and Britain.

She also studied with Shruti Sadolikar, one of the greatest Hindustani vocalists.

Her stunning new CD Love Trap builds hugely on these foundations; she undertook research in India and Ethiopia for specific songs and recorded in Spain with guest artists from Greece, Spain and two members of Yat-Kha.

She recalls: "We planned various collaborations and then saw the Tuvans and were wonderstruck."

A bonus for the Brighton date will be the special appearance tonight of the CD's drummer and Afrobeat legend, Tony Allen.

Susheela said: "We have more than half of the new album in the repertoire and we're extremely lucky to have Tony with us tonight."

The season continues with Nitin Sawhney on July 6.

The multi-award-winning composer's work covers film and TV, with a Channel 4 score for Twelfth Night recently completed.

His new CD Human features several guests, including Blur vocalist Alani.

The music is as adventurous as ever, with hip hop, R & B and trip hop elements and a strong autobiographical slant.

Sawhney is one of many guest performers on the CD now being recorded by saxophone star Courtney Pine who will perform on July 25.

His long-established band will cover new arrangements of classic jazz standards, with a heavy underlining of reggae promised.

Brazilian vocalist Joyce returns on June 30. Her compositions have been picked up by Astrud Gilberto and Flora Purim. She also co-wrote material with Gerry Mulligan for the score of Altman's The Player.

The strong female presence in the Dome programme also includes US blues legend Bonnie Raitt, who play on June 26.

Sweet Honey In The Rock last appeared in Brighton in the closing days of the old Dome so a return visit on July 15 was always on the cards.

The appearance of Latin legends Irakere on July 19 is another coup. For ticket details, call 01273 709709.