M People

M People were making wave in the Mancester scene long before the album Bizarre Fruit that made them a household name. The band was the brain child of Mike Pickering, so no points for guess where their name came from! They hit their heights in the mid 90’s and were often rivalling the ‘Britpop' bands that were soon too dominate the charts in that was to become a wonderful time for British music. Originally a house band they started to change direct in their most famous album Bizarre Fruit. They started to lean more towards ‘soul’, and this change in direction helped the band appeal to the masses and in turn helped them rise to the top of the charts. A fitting change considering their vocalist Heather Small, a singer with a wonderfully deep, powerful and soulful voice. She is also a wonderful live performer, I have been fortunate enough to see them a number of times when they were at their peak and they never disappointed. Self- assured, confident and charismatic they were a wonderful live act! With tracks like "Sight for Sore Eyes" "Open Your Heart", "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free". Not forgetting "Search for the Hero” the certain have the songs to get any room singing along!