Sarah-Jane Morris has a tremendous voice. She could make a nursery rhyme sound like the most heart-rending song you have ever heard.

Her flame-red hair and expressive style also help make her a vivid, intense performer.

She combines soulful ballads with funk and demonic blues, including her own compositions.

Having sung with The Communards and Paul Weller, Morris now has her own band and revels in being centre-stage.

At her best in lovelorn diva mode, she takes a classic such as I Can't Stand The Rain and makes it sound as if written for her.

Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up is stripped-down but survives well, thanks to Morris's urgent, breathy delivery.

Her take on Piece Of My Heart, which was made famous by Janis Joplin, is equally passionate, although the gentle reggae lilt is a somewhat eccentric accompaniment, undercutting the tortured lyric.

Unfortunately, Morris's more upbeat material is less well-chosen.

While it may fill the dancefloor, it doesn't play to her vocal strengths.

Review by Andy Fisher, features@theargus.co.uk