REVIEW PLAN B

YOU have to take your hat off to London lad Ben Drew. The artist known as Plan B has pulled off a remarkable transformation from provocative rapper to slick soul singer – becoming a mainstream sensation in the process.

But not everybody is convinced by Plan B's change in style. Midway through his packed-out show at The Cockpit, the performer made a point of challenging a heckler who was angrily denouncing the smooth, '60s-style soul on offer, demanding some earlier

hip-hop material instead.

In response, the crowd roared their support for Drew, the band launched into a thrilling, defiant rendition of The Recluse, and this proved a dramatic turning point for a gig that had been threatening to slip into mediocrity.

That possibility certainly wasn't due to a lack of effort. From the off, Drew was in terrific voice, and his musicians completely in

the groove, and his outburst roused and galvanised the crowd, and soon the entire venue was buzzing – the atmosphere simply

electric.

An astonishing encore of extended hip-hop sealed the deal. Old hit Charmaine went down a storm and closing number Stay Too Long provoked delighted bedlam – showcasing the perfect marriage of retro soul and modern rap that this thoroughly exciting songwriter can now boast as his distinctive calling card.