New music venue The Loft must be Somerset's best kept secret -- in fact it took the help of the star performer to help me locate the venue last Sunday.

This was my first meeting with reggae artist Mishka who was sitting on a nearby wall in the dark relaxing before the gig.

He directed me to the unlit entrance on Somerset's main street opposite Thel's Cafe.

Only the open sign hanging in the door by Salon Design spurred me to press on.

But if the Loft is difficult to find it's certainly not hard to like.

I was greeted by co-owner Wanda Bremar standing behind a podium who directed me to a table in the sweetly-scented room which because of it's pointed ceiling coupled with wooden pillars and beams, could only really be called The Loft.

It's clear a lot of love and care has gone into the decor.

Wicker baskets and black cookware hang from the walls giving a rustic feel to the place.

Everything's classy, coordinated and easy on the eye like it's been decorated by interior designers with a soul.

Mishka tells me: "It's a really nice mellow vibe and it's a good place for acoustic music -- you can fill a small space with just a guitar and drum.'' But despite its mystique the venue is catching on says Mishka. "People come from all over. I hasn't had too much publicity. People are just starting to hear about it.'' More people need to start hearing about Mishka judging from his set.

He began with the plaintive pleading of "Give You All The Love I've Got'' -- which I recognised from the radio but which has also received air play in the UK after his self titled album was released in the UK in 1999.

Next up was "Love and Devotion'' a slow paced minor key affair typical of the set with Mishka scrubbing out the rhythm on his battered acoustic six-string backed by a percussionist and bassist.

It would be easy (and lazy) to bracket Mishka' music simply in the reggae section. Certainly much of it has a distinctly Bob Marley feel.

Think Marley's "Redemption Song'' and you will have a fair idea of the bulk of Mishka's performance at the Loft -- music to chill out to on a Sunday night rather than to get the blood pumping.

But it's clear there a lot of other influences there. He cites the Beatles and Dylan as well as Marley and Jimmy Cliff but points out the list could go on forever.

A reggae version of Woody Guthrie's "This Train is Bound for Glory'' crops up along with Marley's "Roots Rock Reggae'' and a roots workout of the Beatles' "I Should Have Known Better''.

But his own songs stand up well alongside the classics. Mournful and reflective they are soothing but never bland.

I very much liked "Driving Along a Long, Long Road'' but there were others.

And his vocals are incredible. His husky understated style belying a power which is startling when given full vent.

Mishka's got a groove While his trio nearly outnumbered the audience at the beginning a steady stream of customers throughout the evening proved that word is getting out about Mishka on Sundays and about The Loft which features jazz from LeYoni Junos on Fridays and Saturdays.

Live blues and R'n'B and jazz been pencilled in for weekday nights later this month while magic and comedy is also promised in June as the club aims to enter six nights a week throughout the season.

Nicotine fans be warned though - concerns about the health of performers has led to the owners banning smoking inside the club.

This could have its advantages though as you try to find the venue. Simply look for the gang of people hanging about outside having a quick puff before nipping back to enjoy the evening's entertainment.

By Matthew Taylor The Loft, main road, Somerset. For details call 234 3218.

Still got love: Bermudian Island Music recording artist Mishka performs his reggae music on Sunday at the Loft in Somerset.