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AFTER a couple of songs, the dance floor started to fill. Towards the end of the gig, most of the audience were on their feet dancing.

The enthusiastic cross-generation audience brought the best out of the band who were still going full tilt well after the expected finish time of 10pm.

Having gained a reputation for reggae, the band are much more than that and fuse jazz, soul, rag and blues into their sound.

Paul Jobson – ex collaborator with Ben E King and Joss Stone – was outstanding on keyboards, at times bringing honky tonk and jazz piano and organ to the mix.

Jerome Marcus was equally catchy on percussion, switching between styles and snare, conga and chimes.

The engine room of the outfit are former Cymande members: singer Jimmy Lindsay, who was equally at home with reggae, soul, blues and rock, and veteran drummer Sam Kelly. Tony Qunta on guitar shone as did Peter Stroud on bass.

The show was upbeat and fun. Reworked versions of I Shot The Sheriff and Exodus had the whole place rocking.

As showbiz veterans, the members are involved in a variety of projects but appearances at a number of blues festivals this summer beckon.