Vocalist Cleveland Watkiss is a gifted, complex musician, with many influences in his performances.

The jazz presence is strong with his reggae background and junglist follow-ups equally prominent.

It's a credit to him and his band that they can reproduce his multi-layered arrangements with such skill.

Spoken Word married percussionist Derek Richards' berimbau to various reggae and drum 'n' bass rhythms, with the vocal influence ranging as far as India.

The Watkiss voice has been heard above big bands such as the Warriors and Jazz Jamaica and is a remarkable instrument within his seven-piece group.

He has a full-throated intensity and never feels the urge to resort to the cliches of histrionic soul melismas.

Along with ska, reggae and jazz treatments, the mother lode of the greatest soul writing runs through some songs.

On Very Serious, the subtle funk backing had a hint of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground and Joy carried a little Bill Withers riff.

Torch Of Freedom featured Trevor Watkiss on piano and Femi, on guitar, took things into salsa territory.

Throughout the evening, Byron Wallen supplied trumpet flourishes from subtle Miles Davies-style riffing with the Harmon mute to several extrovert, freestyle solos.

The abundant vocal hooks of the soulful So Near were further evidence of a major writing talent.

Review by John Styles, features@theargus.co.uk