At 26, Jamelia is already a pop veteran and has a healthy disregard for the fickle music industry, having taken a lengthy break in 2001 to have a baby.

Improbably, she then managed a global comeback with the album Thank You. It didn't quite work out like that for her current album, and Jamelia recently had to deny she'd been dropped by her label. True enough, there's a new single, but the title - No More - has an unfortunate, valedictory ring to it.

That would be an outrageous turn of events, though, as this gig for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins was a storming reminder that she remains British R&B's leading lady.

"It's sold out, I'm so chuffed," she squeaked, although there wasn't much atmosphere in what is, after all, an ornamented burger bar. None of that mattered, however, as her natural talent prevailed during the slinky Superstar and the upbeat Something About You.

While Lily, Amy and Corinne may be more popular, Jamelia summoned up soul that could trump any of them. Indeed, her easy-going giggling between songs was almost incongruous, sandwiched as it was between such vocal dynamism.

There was lyrical substance, too, particularly on Thank You, her dignified response to domestic violence. And the band were fantastic - loose and funky on Scissor Sisters' Take Your Mama Out, and bluesy on Beware of the Dog.

It was too brief - just 30 minutes - but that was still convincing enough to suggest no one should write Jamelia off just yet.