I don't normally like to get involved withg this sort of thread, that just deteriorates into a lot of petty bickering with the moral high ground being taken by some people. That sounds like the old Black music review of a northern biggie that was released(I can't remember what it was but the reviewer said "I've never heard it , but it's crap" or words to that effect). I don't regard Ms Winehouse as a soul artist, but on some tracks she has what, in my humble opinion is a soulful voice.
I think that the reason she is mentioned so much this year, is that when sat at work and listening to radio 2 or whatever, and a track comes on that immediatly strikes a chord in many (northern) Soul fans minds, then it gets discussed. The column inches that she actually gets, is the total detractors that can't just say "she's not my cup of tea" but have to turn it into the "I know all about soul, and that ain't it", and provoke an arguement.
As for the comment about plagiarism, as this is predominantly a Northern Soul Forum, then isn't the majority, or at least the stereotypical northern record, plagiarised from the Standard uptempo Motown template?
Paul