Al Green plays it safe on new CD

If Al Green's "Lay It Down" sounds familiar, it should. Much like his 2003's comeback CD I Cant Stop, this is an homage to and re-creation of Green's '70s glory days. That's when the quintessential love man, with producer Willie Mitchell, delivered classics like "Let's Stay Together," and "Call Me" that inspired millions: That apparently included James Poyser and The Roots Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, who, (with Green) produced this joyful if somewhat uneven CD.

The intentions are good. Green's vocals are still sanctified and sexy -- witness the slinky "I'm Wild." Likewise the mournful title track, "No One Like You" shout out to Green's 1972 gem "Love And Happiness," and the proliferation of Hammond B3 organs makes this an old school dream; which is part of the problem.

While no one is expecting Lil Wayne on the hook, the participation of stylists like Thompson and Poyser -- along with fellow acolytes John Legend and Anthony Hamilton (who almost steals the jazzy "You've Got The Love") -- implied that Green's trademark sound might be guided into a new direction. Not doing so doesn't make "Lay It Down" any less soulful -- it just makes it a bit too safe.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Buoyed by guitars with a juke joint twang and a finger-popping chorus, Green preaches about the transcendent power of love on "Standing in the Rain."