Blue is the sixth studio album by British band Simply Red. It was released by East West Records on 19 May 1998 in the United Kingdom. Initially conceived as a cover album, it features production from lead singer Mick Hucknall as well as Andy Wright, Gota Yashiki, Stevie J, and Joe "Jake" Carter. Hucknall, Wright, and Yashiki are the only musicians featured in the Blue CD booklet's photography; this is a first for a Simply Red album, as all prior albums featured photos of the various band members credited.
Velroy Bailey – drums Gota Yashiki – drums, programming Sly Dunbar – drums Geoff Holroyde – drums Steve Lewinson – bass Robbie Shakespeare – bass guitar CJ Taylor – bass Mark Jaimes – guitars Kenji Jammer – guitar Tony Remy – guitar Bub Roberts – guitar Lloyd "Gitsy" Willis – guitar Tim Vine – keyboards Paul Carrack – keyboards Alan Clark – keyboards Robbie Lyn – keyboards Mick Hucknall – lead vocals, backing vocals Sarah Brown – backing vocals Dee Johnson – backing vocals Tru Indeed – backing vocals (7) Andy Wright – programming Ian Kirkham – saxophones John Johnson – trombone Ned Douglas – programming Stephen Hilton – programming Aidan Love – programming Mike Greenwood – trumpet, flugelhorn David Whitaker – orchestra arrangements and conductor Pro Arte Orchestra of London – orchestra
AGM – album producers Stevie J – co-producer (7) Roland Herrington – recording Femi Jiya – recording John Lee – recording, mix engineer Alex Marou – recording Lynford "Fatta" Marshall – recording Dave Tyler – recording Ted Wohlson – recording Paul Logas – mix engineer, mixing (7) Tony Maserati – mix engineer, mixing (7) Ali Staton – mix engineer Douglas Blair – assistant engineer Jake Davies – assistant engineer Andrew Dudman – assistant engineer Ricky Graham – assistant engineer Derek Grey – assistant engineer Neil Mason – assistant engineer Dave Russell – assistant engineer Andy Scade – assistant engineer Mak Togashi – assistant engineer Mick Hucknall – mixing (1–5, 8–12) Andy Wright – mixing (1, 2, 8, 9, 12) Gota Yashiki – mixing (1–6, 8–10, 12) Kevin Metcalfe – mastering at The Town House (London, UK) Merv Pearson – pre-production programming Intro – design Carolyn Quartermaine – art direction, photography Zanna – photography
