M People: The Pioneers of Pop Music

M People were one of the most successful pop music groups of the early 1990s. They achieved 12 top 40 singles in the UK, including three number ones.

M People’s Beginnings

M People were a British pop music group that achieved success in the early 1990s. The group was formed in 1990 by Mike Pickering after he left the Haçienda nightclub. The name of the band is an initialism of “Mancunian people”. The group’s first album, Northern Soul, was released in 1991 and was a commercial and critical success.

Mike Pickering and Paul Heard form M People in Manchester, England

M People were a British dance music band formed in Manchester in 1990 by Mike Pickering, who had previously been a member of Factory Records house music act Quando Quango. The original line-up also included Paul Heard and Heather Small.

The group’s first album, Northern Soul, was released in 1992 and reached number two in the UK Albums Chart. It included the singles “How Can I Love You More?”, “One Night in Heaven” and “Moving On Up”, which were all major hits in countries including the UK, Australia and the US.

The follow-up album, Elegant Slumming, was released in 1994 and reached number one in the UK. The first single from the album, “Love Rendezvous”, also topped the charts in Australia. The second single, “Search for the Hero”, peaked at number two in the UK.

M People’s third album, Bizarre Fruit, was released in 1995 and reached number three in the UK. The lead single from the album, “Just for You”, peaked at number two in the UK. The second single, “Open Your Heart”, reached number four on the chart.

The group’s fourth and final studio album, Fresco, was released in 1997 and reached number seven in the UK. It included the singles “Angel St” and “Same Place Same Time”.

The duo is later joined by singer Heather Small

M People rose to prominence in the early 1990s with a series of hits that showcased lead singer Heather Small’s powerful vocal range and the band’s distinctive soulful sound. The band’s debut album, “Northern Soul,” was a critical and commercial success, and its follow-up, “Elegant Slumming,” cemented M People’s reputation as one of the UK’s most popular pop groups.

Heather Small and Mike Pickering, who had been friends since they were teenagers, formed M People in 1990. The duo was later joined by singer Heather Small, who had been recommended to Pickering by a friend. Small brought a powerful vocal presence to the group, and her soulful style helped to define M People’s sound.

M People’s popularity peaked in the mid-1990s with the release of the album “Elegant Slumming.” The album spawned a number of hit singles, including “Moving On Up,” ” search for the Hero,” and “One Night in Heaven.” The group also won two Grammy Awards for their work on the album.

While M People continued to enjoy success in the UK throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, their popularity began to wane in their homeland. In 2006, the group announced that they were splitting up. Small embarked on a solo career, while Pickering returned to his work as a DJ.

M People’s Success

The group releases their debut album “Northern Soul” in 1992

M People’s debut album Northern Soul was released in 1992. The album was a huge success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and being certified five times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It also spawning the group’s first number-one single, “How Can I Love You More?”.

The album is a commercial and critical success

The album was a commercial and critical success, helping to de-label M People as a one-hit wonder in the United States, where it peaked at number forty on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of two million copies. The album also performed well in Europe, peaking at number three in the United Kingdom and reaching the top ten in several other countries.

M People win the Brit Award for Best British Dance Act in 1994

M People’s win at the Brit Awards was a huge moment in the group’s career, and it helped to solidify their position as one of the leading dance groups of the time. The group had already achieved considerable success with their debut album, ‘Elegant Slumming’, but this award was a real coup. It was a sign that M People were being taken seriously by the music industry, and that they were able to appeal to a wide range of people.

M People’s Later Years

M People went on hiatus in 1999, with lead singer Heather Small embarking on a solo career. The group reunited in 2014 for a series of live shows and tours. In 2019, they released a new album, ‘The Best of M People’, which featured all their greatest hits.

The group releases their final album “Fresco” in 2001

After a five-year hiatus, M People released their final album Fresco in 2001. The album was not as well-received as their previous releases, peaking at only number eleven in the UK charts.

M People disbanded shortly after the release of Fresco. Marshall continued to work as a producer and songwriter, while Pickering retired from the music industry altogether. Healy moved to Los Angeles and started a family.

M People disband in 2002

In 2002, after a greatest hits album and a final tour, M People decided to call it a day. Marshall decided to focus on her solo career while Pickering set up his own label, Deconstruction. The band had enjoyed huge success in the UK and Europe throughout the 1990s with their mix of dance-infused pop music and had established themselves as one of the most successful British bands of the decade.

Mike Pickering and Paul Heard continue to work together on various projects

In 2006, Mike Pickering and Paul Heard continued to work together on various projects. They released an album of new material entitled Northern Soul Sessions Volume One. The album featured interpretations of classic northern soul tracks. In 2007, the duo toured the UK with their Northern Soul show.

In 2008, Pickering and Heard collaborated with DJ Spen on the track “This Way”. The track was released on Spen’s album Code Red.

In 2010, Pickering and Heard formed the group Pacific State with Tom DaSilva. The group’s debut album was released in 2011.