THERE IS something very satisfying about going to see a band whose quality of musicianship is just as high, if not higher, than when they were at their peak decades ago.

The Scottish funk outfit (who have been anything but average since forming in 1972) may have made their successful crossing into the Detroit funk and R & B scene a long time ago, but on tonight’s form it is obvious why they achieved so many Grammy nominations and had several gold selling albums.

While there are just two of the original members left, the band have managed to retain the authentic sound they made their own, and an increasingly appreciative audience at the Concorde 2 were given every reason to be loyal.

The gentle start of I’m The One was followed by a cover of Walk On By, and the band’s extensive back catalogue provided more than enough material for an attention-grabbing, consistently tight set of classic funk.

Highlights included a couple of sax offs between the talented tenor and alto sax players and a version of Oh Maceo which had everyone in the audience belting out the chorus. Harlem-born Brent Carter on lead vocals showed his range within the framework of classic soul falsetto, only occasionally straying into Luther Vandross territory.

The band’s recent single, a cover of Harvest For The World, was surprisingly one of the weaker songs, but only because it was a much slower tempo than most of the setlist, although it was put into context nicely by founder member Alan Gorrie.

The quality of the rare groove and much-sampled tracks written and performed over the last four decades meant the seven-piece could unapologetically cater to the audience with every track.

A much-anticipated encore of Let’s Go Round Again, followed by the iconic, almost timeless – and still cutting edge – instrumental Pick Up The Pieces rounded off an evocative evening which attracted a multi-generational set of fans.

Prince would definitely have approved.