Veteran funksters Kokomo, back for a short residency at their musical spiritual home at the Half Moon in Putney, gave a typically dynamic and soulful performance. The nine-piece delivered a whirlwind two-hour set with no pause for breath.

Tony O’Malley on keys and vocals opened with Tee TIme, including a fabulous guitar solo from the ever youthful Jim Mullen. Kokomo is a group heavy on vocals, with three specialist vocalists plus O’Malley. The trio of singers came on stage for the heavy funk number of What You Waiting For.  The cheeky Frank Collins, his niece Dionne Collins (ably deputising for these gigs) and Charlotte Churchman were having a ball, with extravagant harmonies including an extended Yes We Can Can and With Everything.

The largely original repertoire including Anytime, Forever and It AIn’t Cool were augmented by covers including Stevie Wonder’s So What The Fuss, and a sensational version of Quincy Jones’ Stuff Live That. The gospel-drenched Naked Flame, always a highlight, brought the house down. 

The raucous show closer Third Time Around  held the usual crowd interaction. This was party time. You can catch the band at Pizza Express Holborn at the beginning of September.