Paul Carrack

Now in his seventh decade you would expect Paul Carrack to begin slowing down. However 2013 has seen him tour with Eric Clapton, as well as lead his own series of gigs across the UK. He has also found time to produce this latest album. His rich vein of creativity began at the start of the 2000s, after a mid nineties reinvigoration with Mike & the Mechanics, and this album comes less than two years after 2012's Good Feeling.

The soulful sound for which he has become renowned continues here, with several of his own tracks, mixed with a cluster of cover versions. Of his own compositions, the lead single That's All That Matters To Me, describes the difficulty parents have in letting their children find their freedom, while Stepping Stone is about as bitter as Carrack could ever achieve with its reflections of being used.

Relationships also feature in the cover versions chosen, especially the 1970s soul classic about an affair, If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right), which is given a smooth and silky reworking. Elsewhere the cover versions are intriguing, with a collection of Ray Charles songs chosen. Come Rain Or Come Shine, Hard Times and You Don't Know Me are a chance for Carrack to pay tribute to one of his favourite singers and feature Richard Niles, who worked with Charles, overseeing the string arrangements here.

This is another consummate collection from Carrack, who featured on a BBC documentary this year - that showed why he is a national treasure. There might not be enough to attract new listeners, but there is plenty for his loyal bands of fans.