Album Review: Heather Small - Colour My Life

Small first dabbled with fame and fortune in her teenage years as the vocalist for British outfit Hot House. While the group only managed limited chart success, they did release two studio albums and gave a small taste of the spotlight. While overt success would arrive shortly afterwards, she would first enjoy a little covert success as the vocalist on Black Box's re-recorded hit Ride On Time. By 1990 she had met Mike Pickering, who noted her talent and felt she would be the perfect vocalist for his new project, M People. In May 1991 they released their first white label, Colour My Life, a release that would pave the way for a career that has seen over 11 million records sold worldwide.

Using the title of the song that initially secured her a firm place in the hearts of her public for her first studio album in 16 years, Small makes a clear indication that this is a retrospective set. However, this is not just a Greatest Hits collection, it is a beautifully produced journey through the reimagining of the key moments of one of the UK's finest recording vocalists ever.

Having headed up the album with new single, Love Me Or Not, it was immediately clear that Small's reworkings would not remove the anthemic feel of her sound. Love Me Or Not is a strong indication that the best is yet to come from Small. An epic moment of euphoric glory, she delivers this summer's anthem.

There is no surprise that the rest of the album is equally thrilling. The reworkings of her solo anthem, Proud, and the M People's signature hits Moving On Up and Search For The Hero all deserve a fresh moment on the radio waves. However, it is the under celebrated Excited and inspired Alfie Boe collaboration, Don't Look Any Further, that the pure platinum is found.

Colour My Life is a stunning collection that re-invites her audience to her key moments, but it also leaves you with a hunger for either a fully fledged return from M People or an album of new material from this incandescent talent.