WHEN it comes to hip-hop there are few performers who share the legendary status achieved by The Furious Five and Kurtis Blow.

The two New York acts revolutionised music when they created the blueprint for rap in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits like The Message and The Breaks.

But this month Warrington’s China White will be sharing the stage with the icons during their UK ‘Legend to Legend’ tour.

Singer, rapper and lyricist, Liam Croker, DJ and producer Antony Egerton, drummer Sam Tushingham and bassist David Costello already have experience of working with The Furious Five.

In July 2007 they collaborated on a track called Aggression with original member Scorpio, after the Bronx MC flew across the Atlantic to spend two days at Tuff Gong Studios in Longford.

Now China White are set to join a tour stopping at The Junction in Cambridge this Saturday, The Assembly in Lemmington Spa on Monday, The Mint Lounge in Manchester on Wednesday and The Arches in Glasgow next Sunday.

The quartet, who are Wire FM’s ‘Band of the Month’, are also booked to support 90s reggae star Finley Quaye at The Citadel Theatre in St Helens next Thursday.

And what looks like a pivotal week in their career to date will be topped off by the release of their E.P., ‘The Kitchen Sessions’, on Monday.

Liam said: “It’s down to years of grafting. The hard work is starting to pay off.

“We’ve been dealing with a lot of good musicians, we’ve learned and made a lot of good contacts in the business and people are starting to pay attention to the group.

“There is nobody else around with our sort of sound – an up to date funky Happy Mondays with a bit of rapping!”

Released through China White’s sponsor Dr. Hermans, the CD will be available to buy at Dr. Hermans in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Chester and St Helens and at Salsa Warrington on Bridge Street.

Reviewing the six-track CD, Shelley Booth from the ‘BBC Introducing' show, said: “The Kitchen Sessions E.P. is one of those rare gems that will have you moving on one track and intently listening on another, with a slice of funk, that transports you back to the past added for good measure.”

For more on the band visit myspace.com/chinawhitemusic.