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Simply Red entered a holding pattern after 1991's Stars, turning out two records in a row that essentially replicated its charms, only with diminishing returns. Mick Hucknall must have realized he was stagnating, since 1999's Love and the Russian Winter is the first time since Stars that he's shaken up his sound. It's still recognizably Simply Red, as it trades in '70s soul and jazz-pop influences, but there are a number of reasonably contemporary influences added into the mix. As it turns out, these influences are largely based in house music, which means that Simply Red took some weird middle ground between Everything But the Girl and Soul II Soul. Still, these changes are welcome, since they've revitalized Hucknall and his collaborators, Andy Wright and Gota Yashiki. They're willing to try different sounds and write in different idioms. Occasionally, they might sound as if they're forcing matters somewhat, but there's also a number of gems that pop up on the album, from "The Spirit of Life" to "The Sky Is a Gypsy." And while the title may imply that Love and the Russian Winter is a concept album of sorts, that's not true -- Hucknall and company have reserved their ambitions for their refurbished production instead of channeling them into a song cycle. That's for the best, actually, since Simply Red works the best on a song-by-song basis, particularly when they rely on love songs (the millennium farewell "Wave the Old World Goodbye" is one of the more awkward moments on the record). Love and the Russian Winter doesn't quite rise to the level of the group's strongest records, but it's a refreshing change of pace from an outfit who seemed to have gone stagnant.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, EWI - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Homer Banks, Writer - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Willia Dean Parker, Writer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Merv Pearson, Additional Producer, Programmer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, EWI - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Electric Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, EWI - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Solo Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, EWI - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Dom T., Additional Keyboards - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Additional Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Electric Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Merv Pearson, Additional Programmer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Additional Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Dom T., Additional Keyboards - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Homer Banks, Writer - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Willia Dean Parker, Writer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Phats & Small, Remixer - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 2008 Warner Music UK Limited / Simplyred.com Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Homer Banks, Writer - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Willia Dean Parker, Writer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards - Georg C. Luksch, Keyboards - Peter Rauhoder, Additional Producer, Remixer
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mousse T, Additional Producer, Remixer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Merv Pearson, Additional Producer, Programmer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards - Fan Fan La Tuilpe, Guitar, Bass Guitar
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Merv Pearson, Additional Producer, Programmer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AssistantEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards - Ignorants and Burbree, Remixer
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd.
Andy Wright, Producer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Aiden Love, Keyboards - Kevin Robinson, Trumpet - James Wiltshire, Mixer, Keyboards, Programmer, Audio Recording Engineer - Simply Red, MainArtist - Mick Hucknall, Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Writer, Horns Arranger - John Johnson, Trombone - Ian Kirkham, Saxophone - Tim Vine, Bass Guitar, Keyboards - Alan Douglas, Audio Recording Engineer - Ned Douglas, Programmer - Matt White, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Metcalfe, MasteringEngineer - Sarah Brown, Backing Vocals - Al clay, Audio Recording Engineer - Andy Saunders, AssistantEngineer - Mark Jaimes, Guitar - Jimmy Gomez, Remixer - Geoff Holroyde, Drums - Greg Bone, Guitar - John Lee, Audio Recording Engineer - Wayne Stobbart, Bass Guitar - Gota, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Programmer - Dee Johnson, Backing Vocals - Kenji Suzuki, Guitar - Josh T, AssistantEngineer - Dominic Thrupp, Keyboards - Mak Togashi, Audio Recording Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Merv Pearson, Additional Producer, Programmer - Chris DeMargary, Flute, Saxophone - Emily Cracknell, AdditionalEngineer - Matt Taite, AssistantEngineer - Phillipe Manjard, Keyboards
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 2008 Warner Music UK Limited / Simplyred.com Ltd.
Album review
Simply Red entered a holding pattern after 1991's Stars, turning out two records in a row that essentially replicated its charms, only with diminishing returns. Mick Hucknall must have realized he was stagnating, since 1999's Love and the Russian Winter is the first time since Stars that he's shaken up his sound. It's still recognizably Simply Red, as it trades in '70s soul and jazz-pop influences, but there are a number of reasonably contemporary influences added into the mix. As it turns out, these influences are largely based in house music, which means that Simply Red took some weird middle ground between Everything But the Girl and Soul II Soul. Still, these changes are welcome, since they've revitalized Hucknall and his collaborators, Andy Wright and Gota Yashiki. They're willing to try different sounds and write in different idioms. Occasionally, they might sound as if they're forcing matters somewhat, but there's also a number of gems that pop up on the album, from "The Spirit of Life" to "The Sky Is a Gypsy." And while the title may imply that Love and the Russian Winter is a concept album of sorts, that's not true -- Hucknall and company have reserved their ambitions for their refurbished production instead of channeling them into a song cycle. That's for the best, actually, since Simply Red works the best on a song-by-song basis, particularly when they rely on love songs (the millennium farewell "Wave the Old World Goodbye" is one of the more awkward moments on the record). Love and the Russian Winter doesn't quite rise to the level of the group's strongest records, but it's a refreshing change of pace from an outfit who seemed to have gone stagnant.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 01:15:30
- Main artists: Simply Red
- Label: Rhino - Elektra
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. ℗ 2008 Warner Music UK Ltd. / Simplyred.com Ltd. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company
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