The former Noiseworks frontman delivers his second CD for the year and thankfully it’s not a collection of Xmas tunes.

It is, however, a selection of robust soul efforts from the late 1960s and early 1970s, combined with some authentic-sounding originals.

And as soon as the George Clinton’s mega-funk opener (I Wanna) Testify hits the speakers you realise how suited Stevens’ voice is to this particular style.

The New Zealander channels Tom Jones on the Willie Dixon classic Fire, while Sam Cooke’s aching A Change Is Gonna Come is a true album highlight.

Vanessa Amorosi duets on the stylish Private Number — an R&B hit in 1968 — and co-writes a duo of solid originals, the smokey ballad You Can’t Do Anything To Hurt Me and the Kravitz-esque funker Be Like Me.

RATING: ★★

IN SHORT: Authentic