JJ's been back in the studio for the first time in eight years and emerged with a superb,11-track album, which epitomises the laid-back style of the man who has shunned the glitz of showbiz for more than 40 years.

Hailed by rock legends Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler, self-effacing Cale, said: "I found all the guys I had played with in bars 40 years ago. I don't think any one of us on this record is less than 60 years old." The result is a gloriously-rhythmic down-home album which gets off to flyer with My Gal. Country and western, R&B, rock and hints of jazz are all here, delivered with JJ's unmistakable easy, no-frills, style.

Stand-out tracks are These Blues, the environmentally friendly Stone River and Motormouth, which JJ certainly isn't. The veteran singer-songwriter let's his music hog the limelight while he stands back in the shadows of understated talent.

Updated: 08:56 Thursday, July 29, 2004