From Freetown in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Sam Maitland, aka Alafia, is an accomplished composer, singer, songwriter and music teacher. He plays guitars, bass, piano and various percussion instruments.

Alafia has recorded and performed with many African and international artists including Seal, Africa Eye, King Masco, and Dunni (featured on BBC 2’s Rhythms of the World). He has played music extensively throughout the UK and has performed live at the Kite Festival in Newcastle, ‘Sounds of Africa’ concert on Clapham Common and the Bristol Carnival where he was filmed with his band Alafia for MTV African Music Show. He has toured the States and Japan with the African band Rokoto and most recently he's been working with multi-cultural contemporary dance group Sakoba.

The debut album World Citizen was reviewed in Mojo Magazine and was described as “…infused even at a distance with the rhythms of Freetown and Accra, suggests that they must be dynamite live”