EAST LONDON’S Hackney Colliery Band decided to reinvent the brass band sound for the 21st century with their album Sharpener.

The tour de force of trumpets, trombones, saxes, sousaphone, marching percussion and electronics was inspired as much by contemporary rock and electronica as by New Orleans marching bands and traditional British brass bands.

The nine-piece band are now on tour, promising an energetic and passionate live show at Fibbers in York on November 4.

Critics said that Sharpener added powerful electronic elements and a dancefloor sensibility to the band’s trademark jazz, rock and soul, featuring both original songs and leftfield covers.