IT CAN'T be easy for any band to reinvent a much-loved song in a whole different musical style. Unless it works really well you're in danger of alienating people who loved the song first time around and possibly even fans of your band.

So imagine the risk New York reggae band Easy Star All Stars run when they not only re-imagine one particular track, but a whole classic album. What's more they've done it three times, reconstructing Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, Radiohead's OK Computer and now Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, all dub reggae-style.

Any doubts the near capacity crowd may have had at The Hippo last Thursday, as to how well these tracks could be pulled off live were quickly dispelled as the seven-piece ensemble proceeded to work their magic.

After a formidable display by eight piece fellow American reggae band John Brown's Body, who got the crowd in the mood with a selection of tracks from their chart-topping album Amplify, ESAS proceeded to ease us into the set with a couple of original tracks, instantly proving their credibility as the real roots reggae deal.

Already the vibe was loose and laid back, the dancing well under way, but the moment the opening chords of Sgt Pepper hit, the whole show raised several notches and the familiarity of the song, given the irresistible reggae vibe, sent shockwaves of joy around the entire venue. She's Leaving Home, Lucy in the Skies, For the Benefit of Mr Kite only compounded the effect.

Ras I Ray, the imposing Jamaican with deliciously deep, penetrating off-beat bass, proved a charismatic frontman, while vocalist Menny More – think Sammy Davis on speed – delighted the crowd by unleashing a mane of dreadlocks from under his cap at the appropriate moment 'losing my hair' in When I'm Sixty-Four!

OK, so Karma Police may not have had quite the same emotive qualities as Thom Yorke first intended, but it worked its own up-beat reggae charm, and I don't think I'll ever hear Floyd's Money in quite the same way again after enjoying this fab rendition complete with mental improvised sax solo.

All credit to PVF the promotions company behind Volks Fest for promoting the gig at the Hippo and the sound guys for getting the sound spot on. It was one of the most fun, enjoyable live shows I've seen in a long time.