Voodoo Mama takes a turn

Given this weekend's debacle in Brixton, one approached Erykah Badu's show with misgivings, especially since her recent press release for Mama's Gun mentioned live shots in the UK. Still, if donning a bullet-proof raincoat is your idea of fun, there was solace to be found with the esteemed Badu's soul-drenched return to London. The atmosphere was cool and the music followed suit.

Despite ignoring most of her Grammy-winning debut, Baduizm, Erykah's strong feminist rapping shone across Intro and the dark Penitentiary Philosophy.

The highly turbaned one entered looking like the Queen of Sheba, setting up a voodoo table of candles, incense and laser pens and then wooed, rather than wowed, her people.

Concentrating on Mama's Gun songs was her decision, although the majority of the crowd could have done with more familiar Apple Tree escapades, but the point was made when her authentic Motown assembly kicked into the Stevie and Syreeta-flavoured Cleva.

If you had to cherry pick Badu's songs, chances are you'd go for her softer bedroom bait. She's decided to avoid the easy option and take on her competition by the throat.

Erykah Badu