The Stylistics, Hamilton Princess, Friday and Saturday.

*** "West Side Story'' was written on the heels of a series of violent incidents among rival gangs in New York in the 1940s and 1950s.

While the big Broadway production focussed on Puerto Ricans, the reality was that blacks, Italians, and others all formed gangs. And they also formed doowop groups.

The young men would sing as a group and fight as a group and the image of a group singing around a bonfire in a deserted alley is at the core of doowop symbolism.

One of the young men would be certain to break into a `sissy' voice and sing in a sweet high falsetto.

He would later fight, and fight hard in the streets in the gang wars with his reputation intact.

I agree with the Stylistics' baritone Herb Morrell when he asked: "What happened to those days of the sweet soul songs?'' The answer is that executives at major music labels encourage kids at the fringe of the current gang wars to act out what they see hardcore gang members doing.

Despite that, what sticks in my mind are images of known badboys Peter Tosh, Marvin Gaye, and Frankie Lymon, in tuxedos and singing in falsetto.

I do not know whether Stylistic Russell Tompkins was ever a badboy, but in R n B issues of machismo clouds any discussion of the falsetto lead singer.

Tompkins' voice is still as clear and controlled as the day he first sang "You're A Big Girl Now'', 28 years ago.

Each time he stepped to the mike at the Hamilton Princess on Saturday night, the drama of that pretty voice bursting from a grown man was striking. It was also what people came to hear.

Tribute groups -- and the Stylistics are a tribute group even though the singers are the surviving members -- are not put on stage to do anything new or out of the ordinary.

This trio of Tompkins, Morrell, and Arrion Love, deliver crafted renditions of their hits that thankfully were not of perfunctory length.

There cannot be a more stylish moment in music as when Tompkins sings "how can I repay you for having faith in me'' in the signature song "You Make Me Feel Brand New''.

They did all the hits including, "People Make The World Go Round'', "Stone in Love With You'', "Some Things Never Change'', and "Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart''.

Tribute groups' bands must be as unobtrusive as the proverbial church mouse.

The Stylistics band, Philadelphia Sound, do their job well, and probably make a good living in this day of drum and sample machines.

We may yet return to the day of singing groups with a soaring falsetto lead singer, dancing back-up singers, and a take-no-prisoners band.

PATRICK BURGESS STYLISH STYLISTICS -- The group offered nothing new or out of the ordinary, but their songs hit all the right notes during Bermuda concerts.