Simply Red

Manchester was a lynchpin city for the cotton trade during the industrial revolution, but one of its chief assets since 1985 has been the blue-eyed soul of Simply Red. The band was originally formed from ex-members of the Durutti Column but became, in essence, a vehicle for frontman Mick Hucknall, whose incredible pipes have remained a constant. Funky debut single "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" was a huge international hit, paving the way for a procession of classic originals ("Stars") and covers ("Ev'ry time We Say Goodbye"). Sample some of Hucknall's smooth, soulful reggae, in Next Steps.

Starting with 1989's A New Flame (featuring the sonic Egyptian cotton of "You've Got It"), Simply Red notched up five #1 albums on the bounce — 1998's Blue, the last in that sequence, contained a cover of Dennis Brown's "Ghetto Girl", and the reggae tip continues with "Night Nurse" featuring Sly & Robbie. Here, you'll also find a solid cover of Barry White's "It's Only Love" and more recent material, like the super-sleek and highly randy "Oh! What a Girl!" from 2006. Bland is reimagined by a solo Hucknall, in Deep Cuts.

In 2008, Mick Hucknall dropped the Simply Red banner for the first time by putting out his debut solo recording, a rich homage to Memphis blues legend Bobby "Blue" Bland titled Tribute to Bobby: "Ain't That Lovin' You" is vintage work from a 40-something singer. Just as satisfying is his gorgeous, stripped-down, Caribbean beach-bar version of "Holding Back the Years" from 2005's Simplified, the second album released on the simplyred.com label (the fulcrum of his group's continued success on the 21st-century's digital playing field).

Formed in 1984, Simply Red took its musical cues from the fundaments of soul and its name from frontman Mick Hucknall's love of Manchester United, his left-leaning political views (he's been known to dedicate live versions of "Your Mirror" to Mo Mowlam), and the abundant curls of his flaming coppered hair. Blue-eyed soul was Hucknall's bedrock, though that may have been otherwise had his first band, the punkish Flaming Elevators, sold more than a handful of records. In 2007, Hucknall announced that Simply Red would disband in 2009 after a farewell tour and that Stay will stand as the outfit's final album. Fans can be assured that his work as a solo artist is set to continue indefinitely.