As much as soul music is fabulous on record, nothing beats hearing (and seeing) it played live in a hot, packed club, with a 9pc band revelling in the moment to put all their love and passion for the music into every note. Such, was the case at this show, where bandleader and lead singer Claire Fahie took us into the heart of the music - from the heart as it were.

All the standards (who've stood the test of time) were played: 'My Baby Just Cares', 'Midnight Train to Georgia', 'It's a Man's Man's World', 'Son of a Preacher Man' and Aretha Franklin's signature tune 'Respect'. And there were deep cuts, duets, room for all of the band to shine: piano, bass (electric and upright) guitar, sax, trumpet, drums and the delightful back-up singers including Jordan Anthony. They were all sharp, smashing out classic arrangements of the songs.

Claire is a a fabulous singer, able to punch across these songs with authority and conviction, like they were her songs. She is also a natural bandleader, always encouraging the audience to sing along, get up and dance (and by the end, many of us were, even in the tight, sold out Ellington) and wring every ounce of love for the soul greats. The only problem with the show was that it was too short. Shows like this should run nearly three hours, until the sweat is pouring, the fingers are bleeding and voices rasping and gasping. But we were treated to an encore, and left the club floating on a cloud. So, if you're reading this far, you're already hitting 'book tickets' right?