'Proud', the debut solo album by Heather Small, THE voice of M People, is the most unexpected album of 2000. On it her distinctive voice simply flows, reminding listeners of the vast talent she possess and shares. Born and raised on a West London council estate, Heather battled with shyness and a profound desire to sing from an early age. Captivated by gospel music's inspirational elements and influenced by '70s reggae and soul, she joined her first group, the blues and soul-tinged band ‘H...
'Proud', the debut solo album by Heather Small, THE voice of M People, is the most unexpected album of 2000. On it her distinctive voice simply flows, reminding listeners of the vast talent she possess and shares. Born and raised on a West London council estate, Heather battled with shyness and a profound desire to sing from an early age. Captivated by gospel music's inspirational elements and influenced by '70s reggae and soul, she joined her first group, the blues and soul-tinged band ‘HotHouse’ while still in her teens. Although their potential was never fully realised, Heather had a fortuitous meeting with Mike Pickering, a DJ at Manchester's famed Hacienda nightclub. After hearing Heather’s unique voice he persuaded her to collaborate with a group he'd just formed. A group called M People. A group that would go on to sell over 10 million records world-wide. Although Heather’s statuesque vocals have become synonymous with the sound of M People, they take on a new identity on ‘Proud’. From the funk/soul delight of ‘Change Your World’ to the club-bound ‘Holding On’. While the album’s stand-out tracks – the haunting ‘Don’t Change A Thing’, the beguiling ‘Don't Look For Love’ and stirring ‘Wherever The Road Goes’ – are crafted examples of what soul and gospel should sound like together. ‘Proud’ resounds with refreshing instrumentality and empowering lyricism. Heather is quick to assure that M People have not split up. "We played and created collectively, but I came to realise there were certain experiences I went through as a woman - growing from a shy teenager, becoming a mother - that didn't include the band. I thought, 'maybe I could find a way of expressing this myself.'" With the production assistance of Pete Vettese and former Climie Fisher front-man Simon Climie, Heather set to work on doing just that and relays her journey through emotional perception, romantic narration and social commentary. "I knew how I wanted 'Proud' to sound. Full of voice and texture." What marks Heather and 'Proud' out as a unique talent in the producer-led r&b environment or the teen-obsessed pop market is not just her unique, weighty voice, but that her songwriting retains an inner strength. Although Heather's material is steeped in the influence of stellar r&b names (Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight and Mavis Staples), it communicates an emotional feeling without encouraging a feeling of despair. "I can be as romantic as the next person," Heather smiles, "but I'm a realist. I want to write about love in a way that explains vulnerability but also assures you that you are going to get over it. When you are in love, it's the same feeling whether you are 16 or 35, I’m attracted to songs that are knowing but not self-pitying. I think that's a balance on the album." It's true. 'Proud' is an informed, charmed offering. Unencumbered by the influence of chart fodder, Heather, whether co-writing with Vettese or Climie or songwriting alone, presents a collection that dallies with the gospel and r&b of her youth and the dance and pop of her fame. All of which is ushered in by the album's title-track, an up-tempo delight in which you can quite literally hear a smile within Heather's voice. "There is an essence of myself in these songs. I want everyone I touch with my voice to feel like they’re living, not just surviving. Maybe that's why this album feels so accessible. Maybe you can hear that I love to sing." No 'maybe' about it.
