“Men and Women” (1987)
Following the success of “Picture Book” (1985), Simply Red returned two years later with “Men and Women”, an album that consolidated their position within the British Soul-Pop landscape while expanding their stylistic reach. The record was characterised by a stronger emphasis on romantic themes and a broader use of Funk and Jazz textures, yet at its heart remained the musicianship of Fritz McIntyre. His evolving role as songwriter, keyboardist, and vocalist is evident throughout, providing continuity with the debut whilst signalling the band’s growing maturity.
One of McIntyre’s most notable contributions to “Men and Women” was as co-writer on “I Won’t Feel Bad”. This track captures a sharper, more rhythmic sensibility than much of “Picture Book”, demonstrating his ability to adapt the band’s sound to a shifting late-1980s Pop climate. The song’s syncopated keyboard patterns, driven by McIntyre’s precision, underline the group’s growing confidence in blending Funk-inspired grooves with Pop accessibility. His influence in shaping the harmonic progressions also reflects a deepening engagement with the band’s overall musical direction.
Fritz McIntyre
As a performer, McIntyre’s keyboard work provided the glue that bound together the album’s varied styles. On tracks such as “Infidelity” and “Let Me Have It All” (a Sly and the Family Stone cover), his playing added both drive and atmosphere, balancing rhythmic comping with subtle melodic flourishes. His use of synthesisers was more pronounced than on “Picture Book”, reflecting the technological trends of the era, yet he retained his characteristic restraint, ensuring that the keyboards supported rather than overshadowed Hucknall’s vocal delivery.
McIntyre’s backing vocals also became more prominent on this album, enriching the group’s choral textures. His ability to blend Gospel-influenced harmonies with Pop phrasing lent depth to choruses and underscored Simply Red’s crossover appeal. While Hucknall’s lead remained central, McIntyre’s layered vocal contributions reinforced the group dynamic, subtly reminding listeners that Simply Red was more than a one-man project.
The production of “Men and Women” was overseen by Alex Sadkin, whose experience with artists such as Grace Jones and Duran Duran brought a polished sheen to the record. Within this framework, McIntyre’s keyboards were captured with clarity and presence, ensuring they retained their textural importance even as the arrangements became denser. The engineering choices maintained the balance between commercial radio-friendliness and musical sophistication, allowing McIntyre’s contributions to shine in a competitive mid-1980s soundscape.
Ultimately, “Men and Women” demonstrated how Fritz McIntyre’s role had developed since “Picture Book”. As a songwriter, he began to push Simply Red towards more rhythmically assertive material; as a performer, he embraced new technologies without abandoning the soulful subtlety that defined his style; and as a vocalist, he expanded the group’s harmonic palette. The album reflects both continuity and progression: continuity in the band’s reliance on McIntyre’s refined musicality, and progression in his growing influence on the band’s stylistic evolution. His presence ensured that Simply Red retained a distinctive voice within the rapidly changing landscape of 1980’s British Pop and Soul.
