EDWARD II, the English roots band that uniquely blend the rhythms of the Caribbean with traditional songs from the British Isles, are coming to Kendal this month in support of their new project.

The group have been working on a way to release music whilst exploring the heritage from their home town, Manchester.

This project is as much about the people and places as it is about the music.

Still upbeat, and with rock-steady rhythms, blazing horns, fabulous harmonies and fiery melodeon melodies, this will be a new set mixed with some of the old favourites and a familiar sound for the faithful.

The new repertoire features such unlikely classics as ‘Victoria Bridge on a Saturday Night’ and ‘A New Song on the Great Demonstration, which is to be made on Kersal Moor September 24th, 1838’.

Not surprisingly, many of the themes are still relevant today with songs of love, loss, poverty and political rights featuring heavily, but in the hands of Edward II, these have been turned into an uplifting celebration of the working people who transformed Britain into an Industrial powerhouse.

The songs have been completely reworked into modern roots reggae classics, featuring Glen Latouche’s seductively honeyed lead vocals at the fore and a rock solid rhythm section led by T Carthy providing the irresistible force at the rear.

The band say, “Featuring songs written in the last 200 years, which have largely been lost and rarely performed, we will go on a journey of discovery around Manchester.

“This is the place where most of the band have lived, worked and played at some point, and which was at the heart of the industrial revolution and reformist movement almost 200 years ago.

“The rights that were fought for by people now long gone remain particularly relevant today as the disparity between rich and poor once again is expanding.”

The band still roam free across the musical spectrum, bringing in dashes of jazz and soul alongside the reggae and folk, but always with an air of good humour and, more than anything, a desire to make you dance.

Edward II play at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre on April 24.