"Catching Tales," Cullum's third full-length set and second for Verve Records, surfaced last October. The new set follows 2004's "Twentysomething," which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Jazz Vocal Album.

While making "Catching Tales," Cullum--who historically has recorded and performed a mix of original material and covers--wrote enough new songs for nearly two albums in four months, according to Verve.

"I wrote more this time, because I had the time, and I had the audience, and I wanted to," Cullum said in a statement. "I also play standards, but when I made 'Twentysomething,' not a lot of people were doing that. But it's become a little bit more popular in the last two years, so it immediately has less of an interest to me."

Cullum recorded "Catching Tales" with "Twentysomething" producer Stewart Levine. The pair worked on the set in Los Angeles and London from April through June of last year..

A British native, Cullum will spend the rest of January tackling a European tour. Details for that outing are posted at his website.