Northern Soul was the debut album of M People and originally appeared in 1992. The Manchester group was formed around producer and former Haçienda DJ Mike Pickering and singer Heather Small. The album combined house and dance-pop with soul influences. How Can I Love You More, Colour My Life and Someday were singles from the album. The title referred to the northern soul scene. Northern Soul laid the groundwork for the band's later album Elegant Slumming, released in 1993, with which they won the Mercury Prize.