I first heard 'I Need A Dollar' when I turned the telly on and my daughter had left it on some obscure music video channel which was playing the video. I instantly loved it - very rare for a first listen of a track. I then got a Ticketmaster e-mail advertising Aloe's Hammersmith gig, so I thought I would take a punt. Am I glad I did. I haven't really been into soul since the late 80s, and the last gig I went to was Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle (also at Hammersmith). I wasn't sure what to expect. The crowd was very mixed, not the middle-class urban lot I was expecting. I think that demonstrates Aloe's mass appeal. What a performer he is. Superb, soulful, powerful voice, effortless stagecraft, great dancer. He shifted seamlessly from one song to the next, engaging the audience with his charisma. Everyone was grinning like an idiot, his joie de vivre was so infectious. A great band too, young and very talented. One of the best gigs I have been to in a long time, highly recommended. Can't wait to see him again.