Glasgow Walker

John Martyn is one of a rare breed: a consistent maverick. During a career that has spanned three decades, he has never been afraid to chart his own idiosyncratic course, yet at the same time his work has almost always met the most exacting standards. Glasgow Walker is no different.

The album is comprised of eight new Martyn compositions, supplemented by two standards, 'Cry Me A River' and the closing 'You Don't Know What Love Is'. Oddly, the former is one of the record's more soporific efforts, while the latter features accompaniment by the quintet fronted by trumpeter Guy Barker and is the only song here likely to satisfy jazz purists.

Elsewhere, Martyn's willingness to marry contemporary textures to his own timeless songwriting style is underlined once again, particularly on the four tracks where Glasgow Gangster Funk take charge of programming and mixing.

Among these, 'Can't Live Without', which features a haunting vocal by Kathryn Williams, recalls the feel of his superb cover of Portishead's 'Sour Times', while 'Feel So Good' is the album's undisputed highlight. Its sentiments are no different from a million other love songs, but the arrangement, melody and Martyn's languorous vocal all drip with an irresistable sensuality.

Other impressive tracks include the opening 'So Sweet', a contemplation on "This painful freedom/The search for perfect love" and 'Wildflower', as delicate a song as its title suggests, where lines like "My resolve is weak/Sometimes staggerin' from street to street/But I still love wildflowers" are bound to be seen as autobiographical given their author's chequered personal life.

The album ultimately lacks enough spine-tingling moments to elevate it to classic status. It is, however, a vibrant piece of work, with impeccable musicianship, warm production and Martyn's own unique gifts coming together to form an intoxicating brew.

With Glasgow Walker John Martyn keeps on keeping on. Long may he stroll.