One of the greatest soul singers of our generation, Beverley Knight's powerful voice, sassy R&B rhythms and uplifting lyrics evoke deep gospel roots.

Indeed, this soul girl sounds like she never left the American Deep South.

So it always comes as a surprise to hear her speak not in the drawl of Tennessee or Mississippi, but in the sing-song accent of the Black Country.

She may sound like she belongs down in Memphis, but Beverley is fresh outta Wolverhampton.

That said, she has no doubt where her musical roots lie, which is why she recorded her latest album in the capital of Southern music - Nashville.

Called appropriately Music City, the album follows her 250,000-selling hits album Voice. And, the 34-year-old diva tells the Guide from her home in London, it is the pinnacle of her career so far.

"I went to Nashville to follow the great musicians and to make a real soul album rather than something that just sounds like one," she says. And so it should. Music City is produced by Mark Nevers (who worked on last year's acclaimed Candi Staton album) and features a classic assortment of Tennessee musicians who have played with such legends as Elvis Presley and Al Green. It also features Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood on three tracks.

"It was brilliant to work with such great artists," she adds.

"Nashville is a strange place. It's the home of Country and people in cowboy boots, but it's also the home of soul. It is the real deal."

Since her club classic debut, Flavour of the Old School, burst on to the UK urban scene of 1995, Beverley has established herself as a keeper of the soul flame. She has clocked up 12 Top 40 hits in 12 years. And while other soul stars have come and gone, she has kept the faith - and has bagged an MBE for services to music in the process.

And, she says, it all goes back to her early days in the industrial West Midlands. Growing up in a strict Pentecostal church-going household, she grew up surrounded by devotional music - and found herself immersed in the rich, uplifting melodies of gospel. And while at pains to distance her own music from gospel, she admits it had a massive influence.

"People don't know much about gospel music," she laughs. "They think it's people in robes swaying along.

"But I lived it. My voice comes from gospel - even though I don't sing a gospel message. For that you've got to follow the Gospel, and I don't."

Among Beverley's most endearing qualities are her honesty, candour, and refreshing lack of pretension. She is, I put to her, the real deal!

"It's not really something I think of. It's just the way I am."

"You can be the type of person who is affected by the industry, but I just exist doing what I do.

"And that's pretty much it."

Beverley Knight plays the New Theatre on Monday. Call 0870 607 7484