June 11, 2001 12:15: HE'S got rhythm, has former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and, 10 years after leaving the world's greatest rock band, he has definitely not been gathering moss.

In fact, he and his band, the Rhythm Kings, pack a lot of swing into their act, which is currently touring south-east London.

And he can get some satisfaction from having time on his side as he plays on with some of the best boogie men around. It is music guaranteed not to fade away.

Playing Lewisham Theatre on Friday, Wyman and his 10-piece band offered a show of rhythm 'n' blues and boogie standards, laced with some good old rock 'n' roll which was, in a word, vibrant.

But it's also a laid-back and mellow evening of good foot-tapping and listening music. None of the prancing of Mick Jagger, fancy stage sets and outrageous costumes in this show.

It's honest-to-goodness music, provided by artists who are extremely talented and obviously enjoy what they are doing.

Bassist Wyman, who formed an awesome rhythm section in the Stones with drummer Charlie Watts (funnily enough, Charlie's sideline is also a jazz-blues group which is playing around London at this time), is still the kingpin in this line-up, keeping it all together with his solid bass lines.

An eclectic bunch of musicians, the Rhythm Kings have, over the past few years, included such luminaries as former Procul Harem keyboardist Gary Brooker, and guests like Andy Fairweather-Lowe, George Harrison and Chris Rea. Those who have heard Rhythm King albums will be well aware of this.

The line-up for this show was not a shabby collection either.

Hammond organ whizz Georgie Fame shared lead vocals with svelte soul singer Beverley Skeete and over-the-top keyboardist Mike Sanchez (he thinks he's the next Jerry Lee Lewis). Guitar duties were admirably performed by the evergreen and quick-fingered

Albert Lee and the more jazz-

influenced Martin Taylor, while Graham Broad on tenor sax and harmonica also provided some highlights.

But, in a musical show of this nature, it is not the individual but the overall sound that is important.

And here the Rhythm Kings show their true worth.

From ballads like I Put a Spell on You which had Skeete singing so well the whole band burst into applause when she finished to rousing numbers like Breaking up the House, it was always a team effort.

And the interplay between guitarists and horns, vocalists and keyboards was so super-slick and smooth you would be inclined to believe these musicians had been playing together for many, many years.

Every member had a turn to shine while Wyman stoically kept it all on track.

The tour continues through June and July and includes performances at After Hours, Cabot Hall, Canary Wharf next Tuesday, June 19 (020 7418 2783), and Fairfield's Concert Hall on Friday, June 22 (020 8688 9291).

Be sure to be there and be prepared to boogie the night away.

Andre Erasmus