POSTERS promised that they would have us dancing all night long and 'How Sweet It Is' at Ipswich's Regent Theatre on Saturday undeniably delivered on that promise.

POSTERS promised that they would have us dancing all night long and 'How Sweet It Is' at Ipswich's Regent Theatre on Saturday undeniably delivered on that promise.

The company of eight band members and four singers are quick to point out that they are not a tribute band but are instead a troupe of musicians covering the best loved classics of Motown.

Unlike so many of the tribute shows these performers never once pretend to be like the original artists and because of this their entire show smacks of musical class.

There is no recorded music in this show and with only one electronic keyboard to accompany the brass, sax, flute guitars and drums, what you get is an immensely satisfying live, organic sound capturing every unmistakable nuance of the Motown era.

The four singers have a winning mix of different personalities, entertaining and charming the audience before seamlessly sliding in to the next smooth sounding set.

The enjoyment that the singers and musicians have on stage is contagious and it wasn't long before the entire audience was up on its feet dancing, singing and becoming completely absorbed in songs from the likes of Stevie Wonder, The Jacksons, Marvin Gaye and the Four Tops.

The overall production was faultless. It's very common in shows such as these for the sound to be either too loud or not loud enough, unbalanced or distorted but every note and subtle voice tone was heard.

Visually the show works too. A video screen complements the music, showing either funky videos for each song or live feeds of the on stage performance. No one stands still on stage neither with even the band joining in with the befitting choreography.

Loving Motown means loving this show and I loved every second.

DEAN WALES