Three years after his last collection of original material, Paul Carrack slides back into a comfortable groove with Soul Shadows.

Perhaps the groove is a shade too cozy, sometimes drifting so close to the middle of the road it seems to veer toward old-fashioned easy listening, something where it's all surface and gentle vibes.

The high-class homespun production doesn't help in this matter: apart from the drums, which are played by his son, Carrack plays every instrument here, so the proceedings are tidy and immaculate, the cleanliness tending to soften the soul.

The real human touch comes from Carrack's voice, which is as warm and easy as ever while also benefiting from the gentle assurance of an old master.

He never pushes too hard, never gets lazy; he's happy to be easy and if the songs don't necessarily hook, this certainly is a mellow good time.