It’s hard to believe that Mick Hucknall once fronted the punk-inspired Frantic Elevators.

Since forming in 1985 Simply Red have troubled the charts on countless occasions, establishing a clear identity as a commercial soft-soul outfit, breathing new life into Cole Porter’s ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’, Harold Melvin’s hit ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ and The Hollies’ staple ‘The Air That We Breathe’, all of which are included on It’s Only Love.

Simply Red could also conjure up their own classy original gems as in the sophisticated ‘For Your Babies’, the endearing ‘Say You Love Me’, the naggingly catch ‘Stars’ and their flagship US number one ballad ‘Holding Back The Years’, which was actually a re-write of a Frantic Elevators song!

Hucknall’s genuinely soulful voice (which time and again walks that fine line between innocent romance and rampant sex), the pristine production and the impeccable playing from an ever-changing bunch of musos has enabled them to stamp their own identity on virtually anything they touched.

This nineteen-track compilation focuses exclusively on their love songs, presumably with both eyes set on the Christmas market. Unfortunately, too many love songs in one go and your teeth begin to hurt. But those reservations apart this is an acceptable compilation that you won’t have to hide from the neighbours if it finds its way into your Christmas stocking.