Ahead of their highly anticipated show for Radio 2 in Hyde Park this weekend, Simply Red today release their stellar new track ‘BadBootz’, taken from their 12th studio album, ‘Blue Eyed Soul’, which will be released on November 8th on BMG.
‘BadBootz’ oozes funk and soul. The combination of a tantalising guitar riff, Mick Hucknall’s iconic vocal, and a roaring brass section, it’s a song guaranteed to get everyone up on their feet and have a boogie. In keeping with the catchy call and response on the track, Mick commented: “I just love those Funky Bootz!”
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.
He’s got blue eyes and a soulful voice, and it’s Hucknall’s remarkable voice that takes centre stage on this record. “I wanted to push my voice a little harder, challenge it a little bit, give myself something to really sing to.”
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.
Simply Red have over a billion hits on YouTube, and have sold over 60 million albums since forming over thirty years ago. Holding back the years indeed.
“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.”
And that’s exactly what you get throughout ‘Blue Eyed Soul’, satisfaction guaranteed.
