As venues and performers go, the combination of Soho's legendary Jazz bar, Ronnie Scott's, mixed with the vivacity of the now 70 year-old Martha Reeves, is about as good as it gets. With a five-night sold out residency and a famously exuberant setting filled to the rafters with punters, journalists, Phil Collins and what seems tonight to be half of London celebrating birthdays, there is a real sense of excitement.

But tonight is all about a trip down memory lane, as well as a hint of new material from the remarkably fresh looking and buoyant Martha with a stellar cast of musicians on the horn section and backing vocalists. Similar to other performers such as Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, the music might be brilliant, but the singer in question is all about the full performance to woo the new, old and converted.

With little introduction, the very tightly packed crowd are in rapture within a glimmer of the backstage door opening. It is clear tonight will have all the makings of a classic “I was there when…” moment. Not lacking a belting hit or two she unleashes classics as if they are throw away B-sides, it is that effortless. Her vocals are crisp, booming and larger than life. Not only this, but for such a small venue, the sound and production is nigh on perfect.

The magnificent 'Nowhere To Run' slips into the supreme 'Jimmy Mack' followed by countless others, including Beatles cover 'Something' the first hit '(Love Is Like A) Heatwave' and 'Home To You'. What's so impressive is her way with the audience, before long half the seated, formally dressed and well-mannered crowd are up and letting all hell break lose. Her conversations are highly entertaining from talking about her backing singers, hometown Detroit, inviting people up on stage and encouraging a spot of jive dancing to bantering about Phil Collins and the music industry. It is an evening with a personality always primed for the big time and she hasn't lost that one bit. A gentleman at the bar explains how he got into the gig with great sincerity. He bought a record outside the night before, spotted Martha, talked with her and before long she insisted he was put on her guestlist for the evening's show. Instantly, from that tale alone, she gains respect beyond most musician's dreams.

It is that presence that has the middle aged crowd tonight cooing for more and when she releases the mighty punch of her finest hit bar none 'Dancing In The Streets' the whole place rocks to one side in elation. It is quite simply marvellous. With a concert of this ilk, the gig goer generally believes they are going to be blown away by a genuinely great performance, but so often with the big names it fails to go to script. Forget that with Martha, she looks good, sings great and captivates the audience for 90 minutes of pure brilliance which will leave most breathless and others gasping for more. Superb.