THERE should be plenty of sweet soul music in the air in Malvern this week because one of music's most distinguished artists is heading for the town.

Alexander O'Neal will be taking to the stage of The Forum Theatre, in Grange Road on Wednesday for an evening of hits from his impressive career.

O'Neal has been performing for more than 30 years and is one of today's most distinctive soul vocalists. He has clocked up an impressive 112 weeks in the UK charts, released five top 20 albums and performed numerous sell-out tours. His booking in Malvern follows his TV appearance last Thursday night as a guest star on BBC1's new celebrity talent show Just The Two Of Us.

The show pairs up professional singers with famous faces such as GMTV newsreader Penny Smith and BBC rival Fiona Bruce.

Nic Lloyd, Malvern Theatres' chief executive, said: "Alexander O'Neal is one of the truly great soul legends and I am delighted he's able to appear at Malvern. His vocal range is outstanding and his energy radiates through the whole auditorium when he sings. Audiences attending the concert are in for a real treat!"

Fifty-two-year-old Mississippi-born star O'Neal put together his own band during the 70s before joining funk-band Flyte Tyme in 1978. The group went on to become The Time after Prince joined, but O'Neal was dropped following an argument with him.

During the 80s O'Neal began his solo career as a vocalist, making his first recordings with Jam and Lewis, former members of Flyte Tyme. His self-titled debut solo album generated the top 10 smash Saturday Love, as well as R&B classics including A Broken Heart Could Mend.

He also released Hearsay featuring anthems such as Criticise and had several sell-out UK tours, enjoying success in the nineties with All True Man and his Greatest Hits albums.

Tickets for his show are £17.50 and £19.50 and can be booked through the venue's box office on 01684 892277 or via: www.malvern-theatres.co.uk