Simply Red leave label

Mick Hucknall: Simply Red's singer and songwriter

Pop group Simply Red have left their record company after 15 years.

Despite over 40 million album sales behind them, the group, fronted by singer Mick Hucknall, are parting company with East West Records.

The label, which is owned by giant Warner Brothers, failed to renew their contract following poor sales of their last release, Love And The Russian Winter.

A spokesman for East West Records said: "It was a mutual decision. Mick wanted to take time out to explore new areas and we couldn't take their career anywhere else."

The band are looking for a more roots/less corporate approach to their music.

Simply Red website

Manager Ian Grenfell added: "We are resisting offers.

"The industry is changing every day and we want to see what is happening with the internet. Mick is busy writing new songs."

A statement on the band's website explains that they are looking for a "more 'roots'/less corporate" approach to their music and thanked East West Records for a "successful" 15-year-old relationship.

"Simply Red are currently in negotiations with several record companies, as well as exploring the exciting possibilities of the internet revolution," it reads.

Breakthrough

As an art student in Manchester, Hucknall formed the earliest incarnation of Simply Red in 1985, which signed to Elektra and released their debut LP, Picture Book.

They enjoyed a run of hit singles and huge album sales after their breakthrough singles Holding Back the Years and Money's Too Tight To Mention.

Since then band members have come and gone, and currently stands at 11 members including a four-piece brass section, three guitarists and two backing singers.

Hucknall, who celebrated his 40th birthday earlier this year, is reportedly planning to release a new set of songs solely as digital downloads.

A compilation of the band's greatest hits is due for release next month.