Love and the Russian Winter explained

Love and the Russian Winter
Type:	studio
Artist:	Simply Red
Cover:	Simplyred loveandtherussianwinter.jpg
Released:	1 November 1999
Studio:	Westpoint Recording Studios, Metropolis Studios and The Town House (London, UK)
Length:	47:31
Label:	East West
Prev Title:	Blue
Prev Year:	1998
Next Title:	It's Only Love
Next Year:	2000

Love and the Russian Winter is the seventh studio album by British pop and soul group Simply Red, released on 1 November 1999.^[1] It marks a distinct change from the band's preceding albums, featuring a more computer-generated sound. The album was released mainly due to pressure from their record label to fulfil their contract. It features a cover version of "Ain't That a Lot of Love", written by Willia Dean Parker and Homer Banks.

Track listing

All tracks written by Mick Hucknall, except where noted. All tracks produced by Andy Wright, Gota Yashiki and Mick Hucknall. Additional production on "Your Eyes" by Merv Pearson.

1. "The Spirit of Life" – 4:42
2. "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Willia Dean Parker, Homer Banks) – 3:56
3. "Your Eyes" – 4:15
4. "The Sky Is a Gypsy" – 4:33
5. "Back into the Universe" – 3:48
6. "Words for Girlfriends" – 5:07
7. "Thank You" – 4:01
8. "Man Made the Gun" – 4:58
9. "Close to You" – 4:33
10. "More Than a Dream" – 3:52
11. "Wave the Old World Goodbye" – 3:46

Japan Edition

1. "The Spirit of Life" – 4:42
2. "Ain't That a Lot of Love" – 3:56
3. "Your Eyes" – 4:15
4. "The Sky Is a Gypsy" – 4:33
5. "Back into the Universe" – 3:48
6. "Words for Girlfriends" – 5:07
7. "Thank You" – 4:01
8. "Man Made the Gun" – 4:58
9. "Close to You" – 4:33
10. "Come on in My Kitchen" (Bonus track)
11. "More Than a Dream" – 3:52
12. "Wave the Old World Goodbye" – 3:46

2008 Special Edition bonus tracks

12. "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Phats & Small Mutant Disco Vocal Mix) – 6:08
13. "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Club 69 Underground Dub Mx) – 6:36
14. "Your Eyes" (Mousse T Acoustic) – 3:54
15. "Your Eyes" (Ignorants Remix) – 4:41
16. "Your Eyes" (Jimmy Gomez Funky Mix) – 7:06

Personnel

Simply Red

• Mick Hucknall – lead vocals, backing vocals, horn arrangements
• Tim Vine – keyboards, bass
• Andy Wright – keyboards, programming, bass
• Mark Jaimes – guitars
• Gota Yashiki – bass, drums, programming
• Ian Kirkham – saxophones
• John Johnson – trombone
• Kevin Robinson – trumpet
• Sarah Brown – backing vocals
• Dee Johnson – backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Dominic "Dom T." Thrup – keyboards
• Aiden Love – keyboards
• Phillipe Manjard – keyboards
• James Wiltshire – keyboards, programming
• Ned Douglas – programming
• Merv Pearson – programming (3)
• Greg Bone – guitars
• Kenji Suzuki – guitars
• Wayne Stobbart –bass
• Geoff Holroyde – drums
• Chris De Margary – saxophones, flute

Production

• AGM – producers
• Merv Pearson – additional production (3)
• Alistair Clay – recording
• Alan Douglas – recording
• John Lee – recording
• Mak Togashi – recording, assistant engineer
• Matt White – recording, assistant engineer
• James Wiltshire – recording
• Emily Cracknell – assistant engineer
• Andy Saunders – assistant engineer
• Matt Tait – assistant engineer
• Josh T – assistant engineer
• Kevin Metcalfe – mastering
• Peacock – artwork, photographic treatment
• Mick Hucknall – original artwork concept
• Rick Guest – band photography
• Idea – photographic treatment

Studios

• Recorded at Westpoint Recording Studios, Metropolis Studios and The Town House (London, UK).
• Mastered at The Soundmasters (London, UK).

Charts

Year-end charts

1999 year-end chart performance for Love and the Russian Winter!Chart (1999)!Position

German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[3]	95
UK Albums (OCC)^[4]	62

Notes and References

1. Web site: BPI.
2. Web site: Classifica settimanale WK 44 (dal 29.10.1999 al 04.11.1999). it. FIMI. 30 May 2022.
3. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. 19 March 2021.
4. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999. Official Charts. 19 March 2021.