War Child Heroes is a covers record with a twist. Rather than using the tired formula of getting new bands to cover old songs, War Child invited 15 of music’s most heralded legends, from David Bowie to Stevie Wonder, to select one of their favourite tracks from their back catalogue, and choose a contemporary artist to interpret their song.

The result: a meeting of the old musical heroes with the new, and a collection of slick, modern pop, punk, electro and indie songs for an album dedicated to raising funds for the “real heroes”: the children devastated by the effects of war. Providing protection and relief for war-affected and poverty-stricken children in Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda and DR Congo, the work of War Child, and the breadth of their musician supporters, is truly inspirational.

Left to their own devices, the chosen modern-day musos put their own take and flavour to a slew of eclectic tunes. While here are some of the more predictable choices ( The Kooks doing The Kinks for example), some tracks are completely reinvented, and are as a result result outstanding. Lily Allen and Mick Jones in particular gives The Clash’s Straight To Hell a heavenly reworking, with Allen’s soft-spoken vocals lilting over a sweet, lullaby-esque version of the punk group’s original. Joy Division’s dark droning Transmission receives the electro-dance cut ‘n’ paste treatment from Hot Chip, while Peaches sexifies Iggy Pop’s Search and Destroy. Meanwhile, TV on the Radio’s spiced-up dancey version of the Bowie classic, and album’s title track Heroes is superb, and one of the album’s biggest highlights.

Franz Ferdinand fans should enjoy a rare recording of Blondie’s Call Me, flavoured with the usual Franz spark and upbeat catchiness, while Elbow’s cover of U2’s lesser-known ballad, Running to Stand Still is stunning, an expansive and wistful version of the Joshua Tree original, and wonderful showcase of Guy Garvey’s emotive vocals.

In a world where digital downloads are getting in the way of CD sales, it might feel a bit much for some to physically walk into a store and purchase a shiny disc encased in plastic. But with all proceeds going to assist War Child in their work, War Child Heroes is an album music fans should leave the house to purchase – not just for the stellar collection of rarities, but just for that small but significant difference buying one makes.

War Child Heroes is out now on Parlophone/EMI.