Stay

by

Simply Red

Edit

This is a smooth, passionate collection of soulful tunes and vibrant lyrics, all driven with Mick Hucknall's inimitable vocals.

Written and produced by Mick Hucknall, with contributions from Andy Wright - whose previous credits include Natalie Imbruglia and Annie Lennox - the album was recorded between London's 'Home' and 'Metropolis' studios late last year.

Hucknall's vocals are as distinctive as ever, while much of "Stay" is firmly rooted in soulful territory.

But while the album boasts its fair share of good songs, there are also moments that let it down badly and contribute to a disappointing overall experience.

The opener "The World And You Tonight" is a strong start, kicking off with a melodic central guitar riff and some typically smooth vocals from the lead singer, as well as some fine backing vocals.

But it's followed by the somewhat generic lead single, "So Not Over You", a cumbersome ballad that plods its way through wine bar territory.

There's a snappy poppiness about title track "Stay" which harks back to the band's earlier, more chart-friendly work that helps get things back on track, but attempts to extract a funky, even Motown style out of the brassy "They Don't Know" hit another duff note.

The mix of blues guitars and funk also feels uneven on "Oh! What A Girl", while the moody "Good Times Have Done Me Wrong" aims for the grittiness of a latter day Eric Clapton, complete with guitar solos, but pale by comparison to what "Slow Hand" might have done. It's a song in search of an artist more suited to its style, much like "Money TV".

"Debris", Hucknall's take on the Ronnie Lane classic, fares a little better and is suitably moody, as is "The Death of The Cool", a passionately delivered mid-tempo offering that brings out the best in Hucknall's smooth style.

And album closer "Little Englander" is a nicely composed final bow that's built around some lush orchestration, the odd enchanting whistle, some hard-hitting lyrics ("let me smash the plastic face of my country") and even the gimmicky introduction of a children's choir. It shouldn't work but it does and actually leaves you pining for a little more ambition throughout the remainder of the album.

All in all "Stay" is a very radio-friendly and certain to appeal to the diehard Simply Red fan brigade. It should please and convert the growning number of Contemporary Jazz/Soul aficionados

My favourite tracks : "The World And You Tonight", "Stay", "The Death Of The Cool" and "Little Englander"

Enjoy !