M People

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M People
M People, V Festival 2014, Chelmsford (14788619560).jpg
M People, V Festival 2014, Chelmsford
Background information
Origin Manchester, England
Genres
Years active1990–1999; 2006–present
Labels Deconstruction (1990–1997)
M People Records (1997–1998)
Members

M People (stylised as MPeople) is an English dance music band that formed in 1990 and achieved success throughout most of the 1990s. [2] The name M People is taken from the first letter of the first name of band member Mike Pickering, [3] who formed the group. In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked them as the 83rd most successful dance act of all time. [4] As of 2021, M People have sold over 11 million records worldwide [5]

Contents

Career

Formation

Pickering had been a member of Factory Records dance act Quando Quango, but became more noted as one of the original DJs at The Haçienda. [6] Paul Heard was a member of acid jazz band Ace of Clubs, and Shovell had previously been in the collective Natural Life. The original plan had been to have a roster of different singers for different songs but having been spotted by Pickering and Heard, Heather Small became the distinctive vocalist of the group. [6] She had been in the English soul band Hot House, [6] which had released a number of critically acclaimed records without scoring any major success.

Northern Soul and breakthrough

Their first release came in the form of "Colour My Life", a limited white label pressing which got them some recognition, but it was the first official single "How Can I Love You More?" that gave them their first Top 30 hit and a following in and around the Manchester club scene, where Pickering was still DJing. [6] Their first album Northern Soul provided other singles, including a full release of "Colour My Life", "Someday" and "Excited", followed by a re-release and repackaging of the album.

Elegant Slumming and success

1993 started with the re-released and remixed single from 1991's "How Can I Love You More?" which was released at the end of January and provided the band with their first Top 10 single, peaking at number 8. While this single was in the chart the band were working on new material for the second album to be released that autumn; a preliminary single, "One Night in Heaven" was released in the summer and peaked at number 6. It provided them with a dance/pop success that set up a bigger worldwide hit with the second single, "Moving On Up". [6] The album Elegant Slumming went into the Top 5 on release and peaked at No. 2, remaining on the chart until the following summer and later winning the band a Mercury Music Prize. [7] A further two Top 10 singles followed: "Don't Look Any Further" (a cover of the Dennis Edwards song, [7] the video for which was shot in Berlin) [8] in December, and "Renaissance" which was used as the theme tune to the BBC 2 show, The Living Soap , sending the single to number 5 in the UK Singles Chart.

Bizarre Fruit II and awards

In 1994 and 1995, M People won the BRIT Award for Best British Dance Act, the latter as a result of the release of Bizarre Fruit . [7] The first single from that album was "Sight for Sore Eyes" which climbed to number 6, helping the album to enter the UK Albums Chart and peak at No. 4 and stay in the Top 10 for four months into the following year. The second single from the album was "Open Your Heart", which became their seventh consecutive Top Ten hit in two years and at the Brit Awards '95 they collaborated with Sting on his track "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free". Their third single "Search for the Hero" was later used in the TV advertising campaign for the Peugeot 406. The song got to number 9 in the chart.

In 1995, the band embarked on their first world tour entitled the Come Again Tour and two more singles were lifted from a re-issued album: Bizarre Fruit II which charted and peaked one place higher at number 3; these singles were a remixed "Love Rendezvous" and "Itchycoo Park". [7] The former was the least successful single from the album charting at number 32, and the latter was a cover of The Small Faces 1967 single, which charted at number 11, although the choice of the latter song to cover drew negative comments from the media. [7]

In the United States, their biggest success was on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where they achieved five Top 5 singles, four of which hit number one.

After touring and promotion of Bizarre Fruit II for 18 months the band took a break in 1996. The album, having been released in November 1995, did not leave the chart until April 1997, becoming one of the biggest selling albums of the decade. They made some outdoor live UK performances called the Summer M Parties in June 1996, at Crystal Palace, Alton Towers plus a televised performance on BBC 1 on 29 June 1996 from Old Trafford, Manchester for The Crowd are on the Pitch: The Euro '96 Extravanganza, where they performed along with bands Dodgy, Madness and fellow Mancunians Simply Red and comedians Nick Hancock and Jo Brand to a crowd of 60,000 at party celebrating the Euro 1996 football championships.

Return and Fresco

In March 1997, lead singer Heather Small gave birth to her son. With the closure by BMG of the deConstruction label in 1996, the band founded their own record label, M People Records, to release the forthcoming album. In September they released the lead single "Just for You", [6] which peaked at number 8 on the chart and two weeks later, their album Fresco , [6] was released and went in the UK Albums Chart at number two, going on to sell 1.1 million copies and certified platinum. The band achieved their third multi-platinum selling album and this time appeared on Jools Holland's BBC 2 show, performing album tracks "Never Mind Love", "Angel St" and Small also performed, solo, the million-selling charity single that she appeared on, "Perfect Day".

Fresco also bore the single, "Fantasy Island" (number 33) and went on a fifteen-date UK Tour supporting the album to rave reviews. The final single lifted off the album was "Angel St" which got to number 8 and earned them their tenth Top 10 chart hit in March 1998, making the band one of the most consistent hit-makers of the 1990s on both sales and airplay.

The Best of M People

During the middle of 1998, the band prepared for their fifth album, a compilation entitled The Best of M People which also contained three new tracks: "Testify", "Dreaming" and a cover of the Doobie Brothers classic: "What a Fool Believes". The album went on to sell 1.75 million, peaked at number 2 and was certified 3× platinum. Of the three new tracks, "Testify" and "Dreaming" were released as singles. "Testify" got to number 12 in October 1998 and "Dreaming" got to number 13 in February 1999, their eighteenth and final single to date.

After the release of The Best of M People, the band took an extended hiatus. Heather Small recorded a successful solo album: Proud and it seemed that the band had split. However, a re-packaged greatest hits album entitled Ultimate Collection and released in 2005 led the band to embark on a short promotional tour of the UK. Small continued to pursue a solo career releasing her second solo album Close to a Miracle in 2006.

M People toured once again in 2007 as part of the Forestry Commission's 2007 Forest Tours at Delamere Forest, Cheshire; Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire Moors; Thetford Forest, Suffolk and Westonbirt Arboretum, Wiltshire to support The Forestry Commission's social and environmental programmes. Small said: "We have played in many different locations but never in forests so we’re really looking forward to doing these gigs". [9] [10] In addition to these gigs M People performed at the Hampton Court Festival in Surrey, London on 12 June 2007, and the Chichester Real Ale and Jazz festival on 4 July 2007. [11] Elsewhere, they played a concert in Warsaw, Poland on 7 September 2007. [12] The band also played some festival dates in 2008 before Small starred as a contestant in that year's BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing in the UK.

In 2012, as part of a series of Summer Concerts in Kew Gardens from 3–8 July, M People were one of five acts performing live on each day of the five days. The other acts included Status Quo, Will Young, James Morrison and the Gipsy Kings. M People performed a 60-minute set on Wednesday 4 July supported by Chic featuring Nile Rodgers.

2013 Greatest Hits Tour

In April 2013, it was announced that the band would undertake an extensive fourteen date Greatest Hits Tour in October to mark 20 years since the release of the Mercury Music Prize-winning album Elegant Slumming . This was the band's first UK Tour since 2005's Ultimate Collection Tour, although Pickering did not take part.

2020 box set

In 2019, it was announced that a box set of the M People catalogue was scheduled to be released. The box set, titled Renaissance, was released in March 2020 and included all five of the group's albums, as well as a large selection of bonus remixes and two DVDs that presented the group's music videos and live performances from the Come Again tour. Also included was a book with notes from the band, rare photos and a handwritten copy of the lyrics to "Search for the Hero".

Members

Session saxophonist Snake Davis provided saxophone for the band on songs such as "Moving on Up" and "Search for the Hero".

Discography

Awards

Brit Awards

The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1994M People British Dance Act Won
British Producer Nominated
British Group Nominated
1995Nominated
British Dance ActWon
1996Nominated

Ivor Novello Awards

The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the Cardiff born entertainer Ivor Novello, are awards for songwriting and composing. They are presented annually in London by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) and were first introduced in 1955.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1994"Moving On Up"Best Contemporary SongNominated

Mercury Prize

The Mercury Prize is an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1994Elegant SlummingMercury PrizeWon

[6]

NME Awards

The NME Awards are annual music awards show founded by the music magazine NME . [13]

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1996 [14] M PeopleBest Dance ActNominated

Silver Clef Awards

The Silver Clef Award are an annual UK music awards lunch which has been running since 1976. M People has received one award.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1999M PeopleSilver Clef AwardWon

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Night in Heaven</span> 1993 single by M People

"One Night in Heaven" is a song by British band M People, released as their sixth overall single and the first single from their second album, Elegant Slumming (1993). Written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by the band, the song was released on 14 June 1993 by Deconstruction Records. It was successful in Europe, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. In Iceland, it reached number five, while peaking at number 26 on the Eurochart Hot 100. Its accompanying music video was filmed in Barcelona, Sitges and Montserrat in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moving On Up (M People song)</span> 1993 single by M People

"Moving On Up" is the seventh overall single from British band M People, and the second single from their second album, Elegant Slumming (1993). Written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by M People, it was released on 13 September 1993 by Deconstruction. The song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart and was the biggest selling M People single. It also became a top-40 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. The accompanying music video for the song sees the band performing in a club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Search for the Hero</span> 1995 single by M People

"Search for the Hero" is a song by British dance music band M People, released in June 1995 by Sony BMG and RCA as the third single (remixed) from their third album, Bizarre Fruit (1994). The song was written by bandmembers Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by the band. It peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, number 13 on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number three on the UK R&B Singles Chart. Its accompanying music video was directed by Matthew Amos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just for You (M People song)</span> 1997 single by M People

"Just for You" is the fifteenth overall single from British band M People. It is the lead single from their fourth album, Fresco (1997). Written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small. Produced by M People. It was released on 22 September 1997. The song peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sight for Sore Eyes</span> 1994 single by M People

"Sight for Sore Eyes" is the tenth overall single from British band M People from their third album, Bizarre Fruit (1994). Written by bandmembers Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People, it was released as the album's lead single on 7 November 1994 by Deconstruction. The song peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number four on the UK Dance Singles Chart, becoming the band's sixth consecutive single to enter the UK top 10. Its music video was directed by Terence Donovan and filmed in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renaissance (song)</span> 1994 single by M People

"Renaissance" is a song by British electronic group M People, released on 28 February 1994 as the fourth and final single from their second album, Elegant Slumming (1994). In Australia, it was released as the third single from the album. It was written by Mike Pickering and Paul Heard and produced by M People. The song peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart following the band's first win for Best British Dance Act at the 1994 BRIT Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Can I Love You More?</span>

"How Can I Love You More" is a song by British band M People, released as the first single from their debut album, Northern Soul (1991). The song was written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by M People. It was first released in October 1991 by Deconstruction Records, peaking at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart. Then it was re-released on 25 January 1993 by same label with several new remixes, this time becoming a bigger hit, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Open Your Heart (M People song)</span> 1995 single by M People

"Open Your Heart" is a song by British band M People, released in January 1995 by Deconstruction as the second single from their third album, Bizarre Fruit (1994). The song was written by bandmembers Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by the band. It peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, and was a top 10 hit also in Finland and Scotland. In the US, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The accompanying music video for the song featured the band performing in an elevator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantasy Island (M People song)</span> 1997 single by M People

"Fantasy Island" is a song by British band M People, released as the second single from their fourth album, Fresco (1997). It is written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People. The song was released on 24 November 1997 and peaked at number thirty three on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Rendezvous</span> 1995 single by M People

"Love Rendezvous" is a song by British band M People, released in October 1995 by Deconstruction as the fourth single from their third album, Bizarre Fruit/Bizarre Fruit II (1994). Written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People, the song was released on 14 October after the band's world tour. It peaked at number thirty two on the UK Singles Chart and number 59 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The music video for the song was directed by Matthew Amos and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel St</span> 1998 single by M People

"Angel St" is the thirteenth single by British band M People, released on 16 March 1998 by M People Records. It was the third and final single from the band's fourth album, Fresco (1997). The song was written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small and produced by M People and Chris Lord-Alge. It peaked at number eight on UK Singles Chart and number 24 on the Eurochart Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testify (M People song)</span> 1998 single by M People

"Testify" is the eighteenth overall single from British band M People. It is the lead single from their greatest hits albums, The Best of M People and, in North America, Testify. It was written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People. The single was released on 26 October 1998 and peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It also peaked at number 10 in Scotland and number 66 on the Eurochart Hot 100 in November 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreaming (M People song)</span> 1999 single by M People

"Dreaming" is the nineteenth and to date final single from British band M People. It was released on 1 February 1999 as the second single from their first greatest hits album, The Best of M People (1998). The song is written by bandmembers Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People and Chris Lord-Alge. It peaked at number thirteen on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colour My Life</span> 1992 single by M People

"Colour My Life" is a song by British band M People, released as the second single from their first album, Northern Soul (1991). It was written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard. The single was originally released in May 1991 and was given a full release on 24 February 1992. It peaked at number thirty five on the UK Singles Chart and number 13 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Excited (M People song)</span> 1992 single by M People

"Excited" is a song by the British band M People, released in September 1992 as the fourth and final single from their first album, Northern Soul (1991), though it only appeared on the re-release. The song was written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart and number four on the UK Dance Singles Chart. Two different music videos were produced for the single release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday (CeCe Rogers song)</span> 1987 single by CeCe Rogers

"Someday" is a song by American singer-songwriter CeCe Rogers. It is well-known for its recognisable piano riff and widely acclaimed for its influence on electronic music culture. Marshall Jefferson wrote the lyrics to "Someday" and recruited Rogers to sing the vocals after seeing him in a show with 'Ce Ce & Company'. Jefferson recorded Rogers' warm up vocal. When Rogers said he was ready to start recording the first take, Jefferson told him they had already finished. It was the greatest vocal performance Jefferson had heard on a dance record, but Rogers wanted to re-record it and he did it. Rogers was signed to Atlantic Records, making "Someday" the first house-music song released by a major label. The track went on to sell millions, a landmark release for house music. British band M People released a cover of the song in 1992.

References

  1. ↑ Bush, John. "M People Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 676. ISBN   1-84195-017-3.
  3. ↑ Schofield, Jonathan. "Music Capital – History of Manchester Pop". Manchester.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2008.
  4. ↑ "Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists : Page 1". Billboard.com. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. ↑ "M People | the Official Website". Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 207. ISBN   0-7535-0252-6.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 782. ISBN   1-85227-745-9.
  8. ↑ "M People - Don't Look Any Further (Original Version)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  9. ↑ Archived 23 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ "M People in the forests 2007". eFestivals.co.uk. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  11. ↑ "Summer music and beer festival in Sussex". Chichester RAJF. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "The M People & Heather Small Fansite". M People. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  13. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (22 August 2015). "5 Seconds of Summer Celebrates Winning 'Worst Band' Award". Billboard. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  14. ↑ "Rocklist.net...NME Lists readers Pop Poll Results..." Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
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