Simply Red: New Album Blue Eyed Soul Out November 8th on BMG

Simply Red have just released new soulful ballad ‘Sweet Child’ from their 12th studio album, Blue Eyed Soul. Effortlessly soulful, the dreamy string section compliments the catchy guitar riff on ‘Sweet Child’. Reflecting on the song, lead singer and band leader Mick Hucknall writes "We (alleged) grown ups should be asking ourselves if we will be leaving this world in better shape for our children than it is for us. So, are we? Or are we failing them?" Blue Eyed Soul will be released November 8th on BMG. 

Blue Eyed Soul is a ten track masterclass in funky, brassy soul music and emotionally charged ballads and available for pre-order HERE. Recorded in London at British Grove Studios, all ten tracks of Blue Eyed Soul were written by Mick Hucknall and produced by long time collaborator Andy Wright. The results are simply sensational. Recorded as live, with few overdubs, Blue Eyed Soul drew on inspiration from classic funk and soul: Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland and Tower of Power.

After 40 years of making records (with punk band The Frantic Elevators, solo and various line ups of Simply Red) Hucknall wanted to create something tailored to the core strength of his fantastic band. “I asked myself, what would these guys really like to play, night after night? I want them to enjoy playing, for crowds to get up and move around, and everybody to put their heart into it. It’s all about capturing the groove.”

Simply Red have over a billion hits on YouTube, have sold over 60 million albums worldwide, 5 going to number one in the UK. Their 1991 classic Stars was the best-selling album for two years running in Britain and Europe. They have had two US Billboard chart toppers with classic singles "Holding Back The Years" and "If You Don’t Know Me By Now." Every Simply Red studio album has been a UK top ten (with previous release Big Love reaching number 4 in 2015). Hucknall has been the songwriter and bandleader since the beginning in 1985, aided since 1986 by long-serving saxophonist Ian Kirkham.  

Blue Eyed Soul is the sound of Simply Red firing on all cylinders. “At this stage of my career, I could do one of those dark reflective albums looking back on my life and all that kind of stuff that people tend to do at a certain age,” Mick Hucknall admits. “But I thought sod that! I wanted to make something punchy. I want to have a good time.”