Picture Book (1985)
When Simply Red released their debut album “Picture Book” in 1985, the record not only introduced Mick Hucknall’s distinctive vocals to the world but also showcased the artistry of keyboardist and group co-founder Fritz McIntyre. As both musician and songwriter, McIntyre was central to shaping the group’s identity. His performance and compositional input, supported by the engineering expertise of Femi Jiya, helped establish a sound that distinguished Simply Red from their contemporaries in the mid-1980s Pop and Soul scene.
Fritz McIntyre
McIntyre’s influence is evident from the very first track, “Come to My Aid”, which he co-wrote with Hucknall. Released as a single, it combined gospel-inspired energy with polished musicianship, immediately signalling the band’s ambition to transcend formulaic pop. The album closes with the title track, “Picture Book”, also co-written by McIntyre, which reinforces his role as a creative anchor. These two compositions, placed at opposite ends of the record, frame the album’s narrative and highlight his contribution to its thematic cohesion.
As a keyboardist, McIntyre provided textures that were both rich and precise. His use of DX-style piano sounds added clarity, warmth, and rhythmic nuance, giving the music a distinctive sonic character. Critics remarked on “the clarity and richness of his DX piano sounds, played with such understated precision, … [which] lifted the band above its pop/soul peers of the mid-’80s”. This restraint was key to his artistry: never flamboyant, yet always enhancing Hucknall’s vocals and supporting the band’s arrangements with sophistication.
The album’s polished finish was made possible by engineer and mixer Femi Jiya, assisted by Chris Dickie, with mastering by Arun Chakraverty. Jiya captured the subtleties of McIntyre’s playing, ensuring that the nuances of tone and timing were preserved. His engineering balanced warmth and detail, allowing the keyboards to sit at the heart of the mix without dominating it. This sensitive production amplified McIntyre’s understated brilliance, enabling the record to resonate with clarity and emotional depth.
Taken together, McIntyre’s songwriting, keyboard work, and vocal contributions left an indelible mark on “Picture Book”. His musicianship gave Simply Red a refinement that set them apart within the evolving soul-pop landscape of the 1980s. In partnership with Jiya’s technical mastery, he helped create a debut that combined commercial accessibility with artistic depth. Nearly four decades on, “Picture Book” endures as a testament to collaboration between performer and engineer, with McIntyre’s creativity woven through its very core.
