Lisa Stansfield

She's from Manchester, England, known in the '70s and '80s as the epicenter of British rave culture (the "Madchester" scene). By the late '80s that scene had coalesced into more straightforward dance music that suited Stansfield well - her soulful vocals paired very well with the beats.

She got her start competing in local talent shows in Manchester. When she was 14 she won a contest that earned her a TV appearance; in second place was a stand-up comedian named Derek Ryder, the father of Happy Mondays founders Shaun and Paul Ryder.

Stansfield is best known for her 1989 hit "All Around The World" from her debut album, "Affection." It went to #1 in her native UK and (fittingly) reached the charts around the world.