Assembly Rooms presents the siren of soulfulness

​MICA Paris’s reputation as one of the UK’s best soul, jazz and gospel singers of the 80s and 90s has paled since she carved out a career as a TV presenter.

However, it’s as a singer that the 40-year-old will hit the stage  at Derby Assembly Rooms tomorrow,  part of a UK tour to promote her latest album, Born Again, and single,  The Hardest Thing has been playing a great series of concerts across the UK this autumn.

“Going back after 10  years is a joy but terrifying,” she says. “I really love presenting but music is different; it’s spiritual. You can’t put it up against TV, as it’s more emotional and powerful.”

Born in 1969, Paris’s musical roots have  been embedded in soul and gospel, ever since she started singing in her grandparents’ church.

At 17, she got her first break with Hollywood Beyond and it wasn’t long before her powerful range and sheer soulfulness saw her impact on the UK charts with her debut, platinum-selling album, So Good.

In 1991, she recorded If I Love U 2 Nite, written especially for her by Prince, at Paisley Park. And, as the 90s continued, Paris collaborated with everyone from Stereo MCs and Boy George, to Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.

A brilliant cover of U2’s One stood out but it wasn’t until she moved from the stage to the presenter’s chair in 2002 that things took a different direction.

“I’ve been out of music so long and because my media career has taken off,  I no longer know how I’m perceived,” Paris admits. “These days, though, there’s more pain in the voice. You think you know everything when you’re young, and 20 years in the business has been tough, but I’m optimistic, and the pipes still work OK. Music is very healing  and the songs are all reflective of my journey.”

Having hosted radio and television documentaries, as well as appearing on several reality TV programmes, Paris’s CV is as long as her arm. However, it’s her stint on What Not To Wear that really won her favour.

“I love helping people with their confidence. I never saw the show before I was asked to do it, although I had read about those women (Trinny and Susannah) who put people in awful clothes. The show was a big success and revamped my career.”

Though she’s well known for her presenting, it’s being as a singer that gives Paris the greatest satisfaction. At the Assembly Rooms next  Tuesday, she’ll be reacquainting herself with fans, old and new.

“It’s going to be high energy, a mixture of gospel, soul and jazz; a bit like Al Green’s shows.”

MICA PARIS

WHERE:  Derby Assembly Rooms.

WHEN:  Tomorrow, 8pm.

TICKETS: Box office:   www.derbylive.co.uk and (01332)255800.