FOR the funkiest night in town, jazz aficionados have always known to head to Southampton's Soul Cellar.

But when the James Taylor Quartet announced they would play at the city centre venue, suddenly hundreds of people were clamouring to grab a slice of the grooviness. Tickets sold out in days - and by 9.30pm on a midweek gig-night, JTQ had a very excitable audience on their hands.

As the opening organ bars sounded, with that distinctive James Taylor sound, you knew you were in for a good night.

The incredibly talented band, which included bass guitar, drums, trumpet, sax, vocals and of course, the organ, mixed up the pace as they wowed the crowd with their hugely versatile music.

At one stage, the audience in the recently revamped first-floor venue found themselves dancing along to flute music.

Classics such as Blow Up and, of course, Starsky and Hutch, were rolled out towards the end of the set - before the band came on for a frenzied encore which had the capacity crowd singing together and clapping their hands.

Expect to see the band back at the Soul Cellar several times next year - and look out for fellow acid jazz name, Snowboy, in February.