A RHYTHM and blues band which started life in Wyre Forest is making its first visit to the Midlands in 18 months tonight.

The Big Town Playboys are back with a new singer and a brand new set of original songs and R'n'B gems.

The band was started by Kidderminster frontman and former Bewdley High School pupil Mike Sanchez 16 years ago - but there have been a few changes since they were last in the area. The Big Town Playboys make their return to the Midlands.

Mike has flown the nest and has since formed a new band, and recently lined up for an international tour with Rolling Stones legend Bill Wyman.

But double bass player Ian Jennings, from Bewdley, remains in what is now a seven-piece line-up.

The new frontman is Big Joe Louis - a well known singer on the European blues scene whose voice has been described as "a glorious mix of Joe Turner, Roy Brown and Wynonie Harris".

The group will be at Merry Hill's Robin Hood R'n'B club tonight, their first appearance in the region for a year-and-a-half. The appearance coincides with the release of the Big Town Playboys' new album Western World.

And aside from recording, the band has been busy across the world.

Their Merry Hill show follows a date supporting legendary bluesman John Mayall at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire and a performance at the opening night party of the Cairo Hard Rock Caf in Egypt. Plans in the pipeline include three nights playing at the prestigious Molde Jazz Festival in Norway next month with a month tour of South Africa and Australia in August. There are television appearances in Germany and Poland.

More information about the band is available by clicking on www.bigtownplayboys.com.

The Robin R'n'B club can be contacted on 01384 637747.