Simply Red Love & The Russian Winter CD

Any CD whose booklet includes a lengthy quote from Plato's SYMPOSIUM (huh?) can probably be accused with some justification of at least flirting with pretension. That said, Simply Red's last album of the millennium is more or less of a piece with its previous work--a modern take on '70s R&B and disco soul, heavily influenced by Gamble and Huff's songwriting and production style and (vocally) by Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke (Mick Hucknall's keening tenor has deepened a bit, but if anything it lends him a certain becoming gravitas). The one obvious departure from the band's formula is "Thank You," with chiming guitars that threaten to go pop, but never really do.

Recorded at Westpoint Studios & Metropolis Studios, London, England.

Engineers include: Alan Douglas, John Lee, Al Clay.

Personnel: Mick Hucknall (vocals, background vocals); Damo Suzuki, Greg Bone, Mark Jaimes (guitar); Chris DeMargary (flute, saxophone); Ian Kirkham (saxophone); Kevin Robinson (trumpet); John Johnson (trombone); James Wiltshire, Andy Wright (keyboards, programming); Dom T, Phillipe Manjard, Aidan Love, Tim Vine (keyboards); Gota Yashiki (drums, programming); Geoff Holroyde (drums); Merv Pearson, Ned Douglas (programming); Dee Johnson, Sara Brown (background vocals).

Recording information: Josh T. Studios, London, England; Metropolis, London, England; Town House, London, England.

Photographer: Rick Guest.

Personnel: Mick Hucknall (vocals); Kenji Suzuki, Mark Jaimes, Greg Bone (guitar); Chris De Margary (flute, saxophone); Ian Kirkham (saxophone); Kevin Robinson (trumpet); John Johnson (trombone); Andy Wright (keyboards, bass, programming); Tim Vine (keyboards, bass); James Wiltshire (keyboards, programming); Dom T, Aiden Love, Philipe Manjard (keyboards); Gota Yashiki (bass, drums, programming);,Wayne Stobbart (bass); Geoff Holroyde (drums); Ned Douglas, Merv Pearson (programming); Dee Johnson, Sara Brown (background vocals).

Producers: Andy Wright, Gota Yashiki, Mick Hucknall.