Listen up children ... before karaoke, before digital drums, computerised choruses, "sequencing'' and "sampling'', before all that, there were real, live musicians. Uh-huh, that's right. People who actually learned how to play instruments, then played them. In public.

Time Tunnel, a 50s, 60s and 70s revue is more than just a look 'n' listen at the great music from those decades. It's a happy step back to when singers were backed by bands, not machines.

And what a band. You'd have to look pretty hard to find a more solid rhythm team than Kevin Maybury (drums), Jeffrey Marshall (bass), Rick Hawke (guitar) and Robert Edwards (keyboard). Alone, this rockin' quartet would be worth the $25 admission. But put seven exceptionally talented crooners in front of them, get an accomplished choreographer/producer to mix it all up, and you have yourself A SHOW.

From the opening strains of Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock'' through to the disco anthem "Get Down Tonight'' Delleta Gillespie and team have stitched together a virtually seamless dash down memory lane.

The few breaks in the show are cleverly masked with nostalgic clips from old television shows and ads played on monitors throughout the room.

In all the group powers through nearly 50 songs.

Highlights are too many to list: Carol-Anne Williams's powerful rendition of the Aretha classic "Respect''; Vance Goater's "Sittin' by the Dock of the Bay''; Amanda Reeves' high-energy "Heatwave''; Denise Whitter's "Killing Me Softly''; George Smith's "Splish Splash'' (complete with tub and towel); Elton Richardson's "Kung Fu Fighting'', nicely choreographed; and Terri-Lynn Wilkinson's way-better-than-the-original "Close to You''; are just a few.

(This reviewer can die a happy man having now seen Kevin Maybury sing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy''.) To Vance Goater -- whom sources say was "discovered'' entertaining customers at a hotel restaurant where he worked as a waiter -- must go the "man of a thousand voices'' award. Little Richard, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye ... he had 'em all and then some.

Okay, the mock game show, "Name That TV Theme'' was a bit on the hokey side, but the hotel guests liked it well enough and it gave "emcee'' George Smith the chance to force some audience participation. (And it gave the audience a chance to gaze upon his lovely sidekick, Carol-Ann Williams, onetime Miss Bermuda runner-up, back for the summer from studying theatre at university.) The show puts paid to the notion that "local'' music is nothing more than steel bands and "Yellow Bird''. This is solid rock, R&B and (yeah, okay) disco. Ms Gillespie's choreography (disco medley by Oneka Paynter), the lighting (Lee Hawke) and sound were all top-notch. And kudos to Sonesta Beach Hotel for having the gumption to go with an all-live, all-Bermuda and all-happenin' show. -- Steve Mundy THE SINGERS -- (From left) Denise Whitter, Elton Richardson, Amanda Reeve, Terri-Lynn Wilkinson, Nayte Paxton (since replaced by George Smith) and Vance Goater.

THE BAND -- (From left) Kevin Maybury (drums), Rick Hawke (guitar), Robert Edwards (keyboards) and Duane DeMello (bass - on Wednesdays it's Jeffrey Marshall).