M People make the kind of dance music that could inspire even a banker to put on a platinum wig and try John Travolta moves in front of the mirror naked. Which is probably why the British foursome was the first-ever dance act to win the U.K.'s prestigious Mercury Music Prize for Best Album of the Year with 1993's Elegant Slumming. Although it was not a big hit in America, Elegant Slumming featured three of clubland's favorite tracks last year: "One Night in Heaven," "Excited" and "Moving On Up." That last one was a remarkable single, laced with attitude, hip-shaking, motivational lyrics and get-off-your-ass beats.
continues the hook-laden disco-soul gallivanting of
Elegant Slumming. This self-produced album is not one long throbbing dance marathon; the group's unifying vision of emotive pop music pulls together a collection of actual songs. They're all emboldened by Heather Small's lustrous contralto, catchy melodies and a house-music undertow.
Bizarre Fruit's smooth rhythms and lofty vocals hint at Motown-era spirituality, arousing a sense of uninhibited late-night euphoria. It's all about lifting the spirits. On "Sugar Town," a reggaetinged R&B tune, you can hear the remnants of gospel. And on "Sight for Sore Eyes," choirlike ooohs give way to excited keyboards that take off and set the ecstatic beat with serene confidence.
M People aren't afraid of getting corny, and that's much of their music's strength. Anywhere else, lyrics like "Search for the hero inside yourself" would sound silly; here they contribute to the pure emotionality and sing-along beauty that only the best dance music evokes. And don't attribute their triumph to naiveté. The band was formed by Mike Pickering (an acclaimed DJ and former Joy Division roadie) and keyboardist and co-songwriter Paul Heard (who played bass with Working Week, Strawberry Switchblade and Orange Juice). They've had plenty of experience, and it shows. Thank God they're reinventing disco so thoroughly, 'cause who the hell wants to hear "I Will Survive" again? (RS 714)
NILOU PANAHPOUR
