In stark contrast to Bono, Madonna, and most other pop stars whose careers are reaching the 20-year mark, Mick Hucknall has made absolutely no attempt to reinvent himself or pander to trends, musically or in terms of image.

He has sacrificed the ephemeral cool credentials that can be earned by using trendy producers or wearing sunglasses indoors, sticking instead to a formula that's served him well and earned him millions of record sales.

More used to venues like the Albert Hall, where they will appear in May, Hucknall and his group showcased music from their forthcoming album last night in front of a crowd of 200 invitees at the recently re-vamped Ronnie Scott's club.

There was nothing spectacular about the funk-driven pop of his opening track, The World And You Tonight, and the more athletic elements of his stagecraft appeared a little undignified for a man of his age.

Nonetheless, when sitting just a few feet away from the him, it was impossible not to be bowled over by the intensity of his performance and the sheer quality of his superbly soulful vocals.

Shying away from high notes was never going to be on his agenda, and he hit each one spectacularly.

The raw power and passion of his voice came into its own on new single, So Not Over You a smouldering tale of lost love that sounded distinctly chartworthy.

The other high point was Good Times Done Me Wrong, an unabashed slice of retro, affirming Hucknall's status as one of the few white British singers capable of pulling off a track in the funky mould of Isaac Hayes without sounding remotely silly.

Hucknall is never going to be a cutting edge artist. But he doesn't need to be. He left a happy crowd in no doubt last night that his solid songwriting, genuine sense of soul, and enduringly spectacular voice are more than enough to ensure his longevity.