After one album on which Simply Red mainly presented itself as a group (Picture Book, 1985), the band name became more and more synonymous with singer Mick 'Red' Hucknall with every new album. No one is left of the original occupation. For the time being, the idiosyncratic singer has been proved right, as the album Stars (1991), which he recorded with only session musicians, sold millions of copies.
The formula has not been tinkered with for years. Hucknall's voice thrives best in the familiar sultry soul and fun songs. If he has no inspiration to write it himself, he always knows how to make a good choice from the repertoire of the great songwriters. Besides strong own songs such as the title track, the most striking cover this time is by Bob Dylan, whose Positively 42th Street is transformed into a credible Simply Red song. Mick built the first single Sunrise around a sample of I Can't Go For That (by Hall & Oates), while the beautifully sung, but otherwise rather unnecessary soul ballad You Make Me Feel Brand New is well known in The Stylistics' version. That modern times have not completely passed Hucknall by, is evident from Money In My Pocket, arranged with hip breakbeats. (MS) according to Money In My Pocket, arranged with hip breakbeats. (MS) according to Money In My Pocket, arranged with hip breakbeats. (MS)more
