LONDON (Billboard) - Eg White isn't a household name, yet his songs are famous throughout the world, including co-writes like Adele's "Chasing Pavements" and Duffy's "Warwick Avenue."

Now the London-based singer/songwriter is stepping out of the shadows as Eg, with his solo album "Adventure Man" (Parlophone/EMI) having drawn critical praise since its May 18 U.K. release.

The album appeared in the same week that White was named songwriter of the year at the 2009 Ivor Novello awards in London. The 42-year-old won his first Ivor Novello trophy in 2004 for "Leave Right Now," a 2003 U.K. No. 1 for "Pop Idol" winner Will Young. White has also written for James Morrison, James Blunt, Take That, Joss Stone, Pink and Kylie Minogue.

Containing 12 new songs, "Adventure Man" follows the same soulful, melodic pop formula that has brought White's clients international success. The album "is all about putting an artist in a place where people who may not previously have heard of Eg White really get to know the person behind the hits," Parlophone marketing manager JoJo Head says.

EMI hopes to arrange international releases later this year.

(Editing by Dean Gooodman at Reuters)