M People Album Collection
...continued.
Of the remaining non-single tracks, 'Precious Pearl' has an almost 'new jack swing' style rhythm that recalls the early-'90s swingbeat style of Teddy Riley et al. 'Sugar Town' is gospel-infused house, with brass elements and a driving beat. 'Walk Away' is a ballad with a rousing coda. 'Drive Time' features blazing horns and, lyrically, employs a car metaphor to talk about love'n'sex while 'Padlock' goes for a key image to discuss a similar theme. And Finally, "...And Finally", another Heather Small co-write, includes references to Marvin Gaye and Van Morrison and remains a haunting paean to love overcoming the most cataclysmic scenario of all...
'Bizarre Fruit' is a fine testament to the studio nous of Britsoul's Fab Four, effortlessly merging Motown, Stax, funk, gospel, disco, techno, salsa and '60s influences and, in the process, creating something uniquely British and new. The album also saw M People consolidate their reputation as a superb live band, augmented as they were on the road by a large contingent of instrumentalists and backing singers. As third albums by Manchester bands go, it merits contention alongside Simply Red's 'A New Flame', New Order's 'Lowlife', Happy Mondays' 'Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches', 10cc's 'The Original Soundtrack' and Magazine's 'The Correct Use Of Soap'. And yet they still had one more Top 3, hits-strewn long-player in them. But that's another story.
M People &
Heather Small
Fresco (4 Track Promo) (1997)
1) Just For You
2) Fantasy Island
3) Smile
4) Rhythm And Blues
Cover & Inlay: Cardboard case covered in blue material. There is a 'M' in the centre of the cover and 'People' on the inside sleeve. "Four songs from the forthcoming album".
Inlay artwork:
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Fresco (Full Album Promo) (1997)
1) Just For You
2) Fantasy Island
3) Never Mind Love
4) Last Night 10,000
5) Smile
6) Red Flower Sunset
Cardboard Sleeve. "Album release October 13".
7) Angel St
8) Lonely
9) Rhythm And Blues
10) Believe It
11) Bohemia
12) Avalon
Fresco (Cassette) (1997)
SIDE A
1) Just For You
2) Fantasy Island
3) Never Mind Love
4) Last Night 10,000
5) Smile
6) Red Flower Sunset
Inlay: Lyrics. "In Memory of Terence Donovan".
SIDE B
7) Angel St
8) Lonely
9) Rhythm And Blues
10) Believe It
11) Bohemia
12) Avalon
Inlay Artwork:
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Fresco (1997)
1) Just For You
2) Fantasy Island
3) Never Mind Love
4) Last Night 10,000
5) Smile
6) Red Flower Sunset
Inlay: Lyrics. "In Memory of Terence Donovan".
7) Angel St
8) Lonely
9) Rhythm And Blues
10) Believe It
11) Bohemia
12) Avalon
Inlay Artwork:
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The Best Of M People (1998)
Special Limited Edition Includes Bonus Enhanced CD Containing 8 Live Tracks
CD 1: The Best Of M People
1) Testify
2) Search For The Hero
3) Moving On Up
4) Angel St
5) One Night In Heaven
6) Itchycoo Park
7) Sight For Sore Eyes
8) Just For You
9) Colour My Life
Cardboard Sleeve over a normal CD case. Inlay: Lyrics.
10) How Can I Love You More
11) Dreaming
12) Open Your Heart
13) Don't Look Any Further
14) Someday
15) Renaissance
16) Fantasy Island
17) What A Fool Believes
Inlay Artwork:
Inlay: Information by Nigel Williamson:
There are a lot of reasons why M People have sold more records than almost anyone else this decade. The cleverly crafted songs, Heather Small's extraordinary voice, the sophisticated arrangements and the calibre of the musicianship are all hugely impressive. Yet one reason above all others explains their phenomenal success. M People are the ultimate feel-good band: warm and uplifting, vibrant and dynamic, positive and soulful. Their uniquely accessible take on modern dance music has insinuated its way into the nation's consciousness and has become part of the soundtrack of the Nineties.
M People were born out of the burgeoning dance scene at the turn of the decade. Mike Pickering had been a member of seminal House trio T-Coy and a DJ at Manchester's legendary Hacienda club. Paul Heard had served his musical apprenticeship in a number of bands including Working Week and Orange Juice.
Their initial idea was to create a loose collective of musicians using a variety of different singers. One of them was Heather Small, who had formerly fronted Hot!House. She fitted so perfectly that it became immediately apparent that she had to become a permanent member. Shortly afterwards the core quartet was completed when the irrepressible Shovell was recruited on drums. A former plumber, he was invited to sit in one day when the Band's regular percussionist broke down on the motorway. "That was six years ago and they haven't been able to get rid of me since" he says.
The trademark up-beat M People tone was set by the exuberant first single How Can I Love You More, which launched an unbroken string of hits that includes such anthemic favourites as One Night In Heaven, Sight For Sore Eyes, Moving On Up and Search For The Hero. By the middle of the Nineties everyone from car makers and political parties through to school teachers and marrying couples were using M People songs to inspire, motivate or celebrate.
The band has won virtually every accolade the pop world has to offer. Two Brit Awards were gained in successive years, and the lifting of the Mercury Music Prize from under the noses of the Britpop cognoscenti in 1994 was a particular triumph. Continued...
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