“Tribute to Bobby” (Simplyred.com/Atco): B+
“Red Sings Blue” would have been a better title. But Hucknall has decided to put his past as leader of Simply Red in the past as he launches his solo career with this homage to blues great Bobby “Blue” Bland, endorsed by the man himself. Hucknall’s voice lacks the heft of Bland’s, but he turns this to his advantage: his versions of these soulful classics feel fresh and modern and avoid drifting into lightweight pop/r&b territory, a problem that plagued too much of his old band’s work. Fans of both Red and Blue will be intrigued - and impressed. Download: “Ain’t That Lovin’ You.”
