Going back and re-working songs that have previously been hugely successful in their original format is a risky business for some fairly obvious reasons.

Will the magic be there second time around? Why tamper with something that has been so popular in the first place? Why put your reputation on the line? But these are risks that Simply Red's Mick Hucknall seems more that happy to take on his band's new album entitled Simplified'.

Mick Hucknall is without doubt one of the finest male vocalists Britain has ever produced and one of its most accomplished, melodic and successful songwriters too. During a twenty-one year career, Simply Red have sold in excess of fifty million albums across the globe and singles such as Holding Back The Years', Fairground' and If You Don't Know Me By Now' have topped the charts in numerous countries.

The new album Simplified' is akin to an unplugged' type of project in that it takes mostly familiar and well-loved tracks and re-presents them in a stripped down and, as the title suggests, simplified fashion. But in truth, it's much more than that thanks to a series of daring, musically sophisticated new arrangements that only serve to re-emphasise the strength and enduring charm of Simply Red's songbook.

Explaining the album's inception Hucknall says that, "there were a couple of occasions recently when I was called upon to perform old material with just a piano accompaniment and what struck me when I listened back to those performances was just how much the song leapt out at you in such circumstances". Over the years, Hucknall's voice has developed significantly and its more mature, richer and rounder sound is perfectly suited to these new interpretations of old songs. Whilst the album does have a largely retro feel to it, there are also some new and original tracks that will ensure the record is a must have' for all Simply Red fans, irrespective of whether or not they like what Hucknall has done to his back catalogue. Smile', for instance, is a Hucknall-penned ballad performed in classic, crooning-era Sinatra/Tony Bennett style and, A Song For You' is a cover of the classic Leon Russell composition from the 1970s that has previously been sung in stunning fashion by such late greats as Donny Hathaway, Karen Carpenter and Nancy Wilson. There is also the lead-off single from the album, Perfect Love', a brand new song with a strong Latin groove that features some gorgeous Cuban samples and a guest vocal appearance by the Havana-based female singer Danae. With its infectious, upbeat rhythms and melody, Perfect Love' looks set to become a crowd favourite on the upcoming Simply Red tour, in support of the Simplified' album, which visits Manchester's M.E.N Arena on Friday 28th October.

Just time to mention Players - a band well worthy of further investigation. Players are surely the most exciting Funk band in Britain today, mixing a 21st Century attitude with cunning grooves and seasoned musicianship, the band pay respect to the past whilst creating music for the future. Following on from Clear The Decks', their 2003 critically acclaimed debut, comes From The Six Corners' (Sanctuary), the band's latest release of all new material. Players' nucleus boasts an illustrious pedigree. There's Mick Talbot, Hammond organ maestro for Dexy's Midnight Runners and The Style Council, there's Steve White, talented sticksman who's played with the James Taylor Quartet, The Style Council and is currently Mr. Weller's regular drummer and finally, there's Damon Minchella, the one-time bassist with Ocean Colour Scene and also a current member of Paul Weller's band. Support genuine homegrown music talent and checkout Players.