Album Review: Simply Red - Big Love

Mick Hucknall decided to split up Simply Red 5 years ago, in the meantime he has got married and started a family, he released a solo album and there was also a solo tour that visited York.

It seems that the plan was to record a few new songs as it is 30 years since the band released their first album, the writing process went so well that a whole new album was ready and this is the result.

The opening track and also first single off the album, Shine On is classic Simply Red which has all the elements of a typical Simply Red track. Hucknall's voice has a more rich tone to it too which you begin to discover as the songs unfold.

Daydreaming has a soulful influence recalling the early 1970's soul groups such as The Delfonics or The Stylistics. You can see why the writing process went so well on this track. The soulful influence continues on Big Love, it has a melody that winds its way into your brain and has you singing along long after you have heard the song.

The Ghost of Love sounds like a future single whilst on Dad the lyric is about how his dad left the family when Hucknall was younger. Love Gave Me More is one of the best tracks the band have done, with its soulful vibe in evidence again.

Tight Tones ups the tempo but I found the chorus too much akin to Rod Stewart's hit, Hot Legs. The second half of the album is altogether more upbeat with the track Coming Home one of the better tracks as the album comes to a close.

It is a welcome return, it could have tarnished the reputation of the band but this sounds like the start of a new beginning. Simply Red - Simply superb

4 out of 5