WHAT would you want in a show to mark the 50th anniversary of Tamla Motown, the soul sound of Detroit Motor City?

The wonderful dance and bedroom music, of course, some slick dancing, and a hot band would be good too, but how about nostalgia-stirring pictures of the Motown greats and a guided history tour?

Thursday night’s How Sweet It Is had the hits, both ancient and modern, but not the history, nor iconic images of Berry Gordy Jnr’s label of all the talents.

This touring tribute show was in essence a soul revue with Martell O’Neill, Jordan King, Michael and Geo harmonising and grooving in the style of The Four Tops and The Temptations and working the near-full house with their flirtatious patter. A disjointed first half was shared with Lorraine Brown, a chatterbox soul sister in an ill-advised choice of dress, who had to make do with one credit-crunch backing vocalist, Roni Elizabeth Hart, rather than the traditional three. Motown deserved better. At least there was no skimping on the band, the eight-piece Peter Brent Orchestra, although their white short sleeves and silver-spangled waistcoats warranted a red card. So did the often bizarre video imagery of the sun and moon, sky and fire, weekend dancers and cheesy graphics. Only when the young leads were shown in close-up did the screen have any impact.

But boy they could sing, reaching the harmony heights on Just My Imagination and revelling in the thrilling energy of their Jacksons’ medley.