Julia Fordham - Concrete Love

A decade ago, Julia Fordham's mix of sophistication and polite angst made her the Dido of her times. Then she moved to America and became something of a forgotten woman. Back with a new album, she's still pitching at the same mature thirtysomething audience.

The title track is tastefully soulful with assistance from India Arie and wouldn't sound out of place on a Sade album. "Missing Man" finds her more in Laura Nyro territory. The songs drip with class but the relentlessly grown-up arrangements might have benefited from a little more risk-taking.

Rating: 3 / 10