Jill Scott doesn't sing; she sermonises. And to her devoted congregation the words she preaches are pure poetry. Her reputation precedes her; the Philadelphia soul singer sells out almost solely by word of mouth - the reverential reviews of past attendees all the advertisement required. Billed as "an evening with Jill Scott", the intimacy of the title is telling; Scott sings, jokes, talks, politicises; at one point, she even cries.

Opening with the upfront sass of Getting in the Way and it's obvious this isn't just a soul show. There's the deep-fried funk of Bedda at Home, which sees drums pound, guitars rock and horns flare, while an impromptu salsa section slices though the strutting spiritual of Golden.

However, it's Scott's rich vocal that is the star of the show. Flitting between jazz, opera, blues and straight-up soul, her voice is so powerful it fills every nook and cranny of the cavernous Academy.

She's also a great comic, filling time between tracks to talk about her new marriage or to apologise for Bush. "We didn't vote him in. Just so you know. I don't know how that happened."

Scott is a gifted writer, which is perhaps why her records, like the brilliant debut Who Is Jill Scott, and its recent follow-up Beautifully Human sell so well. Whether it's in the conscious fare of My Petition, the warm yarn of Family Reunion or the witty The Fact Is (I Need You), Scott spins a great story. It's the arresting Rasool though that sparks the tears as Scott relays the tale of a young man "from my 'hood" who lost his life to the drug wars ravaging communities the world over. Sang initially as an a capella, the song silences the audience. She leaves as she enters: gracefully and to a standing ovation.

· At Manchester University on Saturday. Box office: 0161-832 1111.