Standing playing his guitar left handed on the tiny stage of the Soho club switching from ubiquitous Nord Stage keyboards on the first number, newcomer singer Juan Zelada had what quickly became a seething mosh pit awash with a ragged scattering of Spanish dancers, happy to punch the air with abandon. Zelada was a complete unknown until Radio 2 started picking up on his ‘Breakfast in Spitalfields’ song last year and at the Borderline last night he launched his debut for Decca, High Ceilings and Collarbones. His record company regularly roll out acts like Zelada and often achieve big crossover appeal but unless they sell in big enough numbers to raise a ripple of interest with the suits their lifespan with the major is strictly limited. The signs look promising so far for Zelada who at times resembles Jamie Cullum in approach if not the whole package. With a slick band of Luke Higgins on lead guitar; Oscar Golding on electric bass, the standout of the band; Rick Chambers showing considerable chops on drums; Nik Carter, tenor and baritone saxes/percussion; and Jack Birchwood, trumpet/keyboards, Zelada said he was feeling the effects of pharyngitis although that didn't stop him from belting out his jazz- and blues-flavoured songs with a gravelly voice reminiscent of a much bluesier and jazzier James Morrison. The set sagged a bit in the middle because after the ramped up generator-level energy of the first three or four numbers there seemed to be a hole in the middle as if the band despite drummer Chambers' best efforts appeared to have exhausted itself. The songs are generally strong although ‘The Boy With The TV On’ did not come off so well, its sprawling country style only opened up properly after the bridge and only got interesting in the outro. Best song by a mile on this showing was the Mumfords-meets-the blues ‘Baby Be Mine’ which has hit written all over it. The reggae-tinged ‘What Do I Know’ was a bit more predictable. Zelada spelt out every letter of his surname modestly at the end and while he is clearly on a fast trajectory, this felt like just the beginning.

- Stephen Graham