# Love and the Russian Winter

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Love and the Russian Winter is the seventh studio album by British pop and soul group Simply Red, released on 1 November 1999. It marks a distinct change from the band's preceding albums, featuring a more computer-generated sound. The album was released mainly due to pressure from their record label to fulfil their contract. It features a cover version of "Ain't That a Lot of Love", written by Willia Dean Parker and Homer Banks.

## Track listing

All tracks written by Mick Hucknall, except where noted. All tracks produced by Andy Wright, Gota Yashiki and Mick Hucknall. Additional production on "Your Eyes" by Merv Pearson.
* "The Spirit of Life" – 4:42
* "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Willia Dean Parker, Homer Banks) – 3:56
* "Your Eyes" – 4:15
* "The Sky Is a Gypsy" – 4:33
* "Back into the Universe" – 3:48
* "Words for Girlfriends" – 5:07
* "Thank You" – 4:01
* "Man Made the Gun" – 4:58
* "Close to You" – 4:33
* "More Than a Dream" – 3:52
* "Wave the Old World Goodbye" – 3:46
Japan Edition
* "The Spirit of Life" – 4:42
* "Ain't That a Lot of Love" – 3:56
* "Your Eyes" – 4:15
* "The Sky Is a Gypsy" – 4:33
* "Back into the Universe" – 3:48
* "Words for Girlfriends" – 5:07
* "Thank You" – 4:01
* "Man Made the Gun" – 4:58
* "Close to You" – 4:33
* "Come on in My Kitchen" (Bonus track)
* "More Than a Dream" – 3:52
* "Wave the Old World Goodbye" – 3:46

### 2008 Special Edition bonus tracks

* "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Phats & Small Mutant Disco Vocal Mix) – 6:08
* "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Club 69 Underground Dub Mx) – 6:36
* "Your Eyes" (Mousse T Acoustic) – 3:54
* "Your Eyes" (Ignorants Remix) – 4:41
* "Your Eyes" (Jimmy Gomez Funky Mix) – 7:06

## Personnel

Simply Red
* Mick Hucknall – lead vocals, backing vocals, horn arrangements
* Tim Vine – keyboards, bass
* Andy Wright – keyboards, programming, bass
* Mark Jaimes – guitars
* Gota Yashiki – bass, drums, programming
* Ian Kirkham – saxophones
* John Johnson – trombone
* Kevin Robinson – trumpet
* Sarah Brown – backing vocals
* Dee Johnson – backing vocals
Additional musicians
* Dominic "Dom T." Thrup – keyboards
* Aiden Love – keyboards
* Phillipe Manjard – keyboards
* James Wiltshire – keyboards, programming
* Ned Douglas – programming
* Merv Pearson – programming (3)
* Greg Bone – guitars
* Kenji Suzuki – guitars
* Wayne Stobbart –bass
* Geoff Holroyde – drums
* Chris De Margary – saxophones, flute
Production
* AGM – producers
* Merv Pearson – additional production (3)
* Alistair Clay – recording
* Alan Douglas – recording
* John Lee – recording
* Mak Togashi – recording, assistant engineer
* Matt White – recording, assistant engineer
* James Wiltshire – recording
* Emily Cracknell – assistant engineer
* Andy Saunders – assistant engineer
* Matt Tait – assistant engineer
* Josh T – assistant engineer
* Kevin Metcalfe – mastering
* Peacock – artwork, photographic treatment
* Mick Hucknall – original artwork concept
* Rick Guest – band photography
* Idea – photographic treatment
Studios
* Recorded at Westpoint Recording Studios, Metropolis Studios and The Town House (London, UK).
* Mastered at The Soundmasters (London, UK).

## Certifications

Sales and certifications for Love and the Russian Winter :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 25,000$^*$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Platinum | 300,000$^^$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 300,000$^^$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||