For those not in the know, Andy Wickett (once known as Fane in the 1970s) is a singer-songwriter from the Birmingham area, who was a member of Duran Duran in 1979.

indeed, more than that, Wickett actually wrote most of 'Girls on Film' and 'Rio' before leaving Duran Duran; both of which he rerecorded with Ray Bronner the guitarist for Blues legends John Lee Hooker and Freddie Roulette.

Wickett's career started in 1976, singing and playing in the band TV Eye, followed by Duran Duran, The Xpertz and World Service. He has played concerts supporting The Clash, U2, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Burning Spear and Gregory Isaacs, also producing and writing albums with Asian artists Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan and DCS.

Now the original vocalist for the new wave icons Duran Duran, who has built a solid music career in his hometown of Birmingham recording and performing both as a solo artist and with his band World Service, has just released his debut solo CD, Creatures of Love.

1. 'Border Song'
2. 'Make It'
3. 'Kingdom'
4. 'The Good Die Young'
5. 'Darleen'
6. 'Evidently'
7. 'Ain't No One'
8. 'Children of the Night'
9. 'Creatures of Love'
10. 'Preacher Man'
11. 'Take Me to the City'

Chock full of lush, pop sounds built on classic-sounding lines, Wickett's solo debut is, quite easily, as good as they come. The hipsway of the opener, 'Border Song' is backed seamlessly by the lo-fi Gospel sounds of 'Make It' and then the euphoric 'Kingdom.'

'The Good Die Young', an ode to Billy May, is up next and is followed by the translucent vibe of 'Darleen', which in turn is backed by both the upbeat, perky pop of 'Evidently' and then 'Ain't No One.' One of my own personal favs is the fun pop rock flow of 'Children of the Night', which is followed by the title track.

The album then comes to a close with the finger-snapping' urgency of 'Preacher Man', with the album rounding out with the old-school swing vibe of 'Take Me to the City.' With all the tracks unsurprisingly wrapped lovingly within the heart and soul of the '80s, Creatures of Love is an album laid bare on synth strong and well-crafted pop songs - just as you would always hope to expect from the man who brought the world 'Rio'.

In closing, and hot on the heels of last year's monumental release (on RSD vinyl) of the original 1979 demos Duran Duran cut with Wickett prior to the entrance of Simon Le Bon, Wickett and World Service's new album is truly magnificent and a wondrous venture back into the musical genre that he obviously still enjoys so very much.

www.AndyWickett.com

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