M People - Testify

M People rates 5+++ stars, but please read before buying....

In the early/mid 1990s M People exploded into the British charts as at least 5 hit singles from their 5-star debut CD titled "Elegant Slumming." Two of said singles ("Moving on Up" and "One Night in Heaven") became U.S. dance club smashes, but unfortunately they never caught on as they did in their homeland, while much less deserving acts managed to cross the Atlantic. They followed it up with the almost equally contagious "Bizzare Fruit". Then came "Fresco", but it is still only available as an import as by that time Epic records basically gave up on them with regard to crossing over to the U.S. It is a shame that only a few people really got a chance to hear these guys do their thing as they are probably the best "dance act" of this era as they blended British house with strong dozes of R&B, down tempo soul, gospel, disco, and even some electronica to create a fully original and instantly recognizable sound. The lead singer, Heather Small, has a warm and powerful voice that has to be heard to be believed.

So after this glowing introduction, you may ask why only three stars? The answer is that in 1998 BMG (their record company in the UK) released an amazing 17 song compilation, while in 1999 Epic had the audacity to jump on the coattails of this release with "Testify", which (almost down to the picture on the cover) is also a greatest hits collection. The huge problem is that it only has 12 songs, completely overlooks essential hits ("One Night In Heaven,", "Open Your Heart," and "Don't Look Any Further") just to make a few), and has meandering remixes of other key songs that don't do justice to the originals (with the exception of the remix of "Sight For Sore Eyes," which is awesome).

If you have not heard these guys before or just want to have their best work, DO NOT buy this and get your hands on the imported "Best Of M People," which you can find at reasonable prices if you look for it. That release earns 5++++ stars. This one is fine if it were not a derivative version of a much better release that should have been the only one released by Epic. February 29, 2004

MPEOPLE REALLY ROCKS

I agree with some of the feedback written by other MPEOPLE fans about this CD. What I am curious about is why the greatest hits CD is not offered by AmAZON????? It is clearly the best MPEOPEL recording around. It took several trips to specialty shops, I think it is hard because it was an import that was intended only for the brits!! Clearly MPEOPLE hass broken incredible boundries through their music and acute selection of lyrics, I can think of only Tracy Chapman and Natalie Merchent comming close to the socail impacts that MPEOPLE is breaking through with. Fantasy Islans is a good exampe of drawing critical social issues in to a song, the words are incredible.

Thanks MPEOPLE for countless hours of relaxation and enjoyment!!!!!!!!!!!!! July 25, 2001

grows on you

i have been a loyal m people fan for quite some time now...was very excited to see this new ced..but was a bit miffed with the remixes of songs i already had...but 'testify' and 'dreaming' make up for it. i love listening to 'dreaming' really loud on my way back from a hard days' work! February 18, 2000

Good M People but too much old stuff

I am a huge M People fan but am a bit disappointed in their latest release. I was hoping for more upbeat songs. Many of the track are remakes or remixes of other artists or old M People stuff. I would much rather hear new and original tracks. Bring us some new stuff M People! September 21, 1999

Awesome, except for pointless remixes

I love so many of the songs on this CD, especially "Testify", "Dreaming", and "Angel St". One thing I don't like about it is the inclusion of the remixes. What is the point? Perhaps they are a bit interesting, but I would have much rather had more tracks from "Fresco". In some ways, I don't see the logic behind this track selection. Ok, so it includes the three new songs from the import "Best Of" and the three singles from the import "Fresco". Great, but what was the logic behind the other tracks? Hmm, should this be the U.S. release of "Fresco"? Well maybe, let's through in two more album tracks. Or should it be a "best of"? Perhaps, lets include two singles from "Bizarre Fruit". Or should it be a remix album? Ok, that too, we'll add three pointless remixes. I am planning to just buy "Best Of" to get the shorter radio versions of some of their earlier tracks, and "Fresco" to get the other album tracks, so in the end, I really won't have any need for this CD. It does have a lot of great songs on it though. August 20, 1999

More reviews at Amazon.com ...