Singer-songwriter Christine Collister returns to the island next month as a member of Daphne’s Flight for a gig at Peel’s Centenary Centre.

Manx-born Christine has been singing with Daphne’s Flight since 1995. The ensemble’s line-up also comprises Helen Watson, Melanie Harrold, Julie Matthews and Chris While.

Described as ’five of the finest folk, blues and soul singers of their generation’, their first album, the eponymous ’Daphne’s Flight, was recorded in January 1996 in The Big Room in Kirk Michael after the studio had to be completed by builders working though the night. The album is marked by some the member’s best writing and some highly successful covers. All the tracks are notable for the rich harmonies between the singers.

The result was positively reviewed in the folk and roots music press and gained considerable mainstream press and media attention. The group followed the release with a successful 18-date tour of England through May and June 1996.

For several years the project remained a one-off as the members pursued their own careers, but they have appeared on and contributed to each other’s albums and live appearances. Partial reunions have occurred for specific gigs, and in 2003 at the Prebendal Festival they reassembled for a full reunion.

This year Daphne’s Flight will release their second album, ’Knows Time, Knows Change’, on May 5.

The repertoire covers a huge range of topics and genres, blending folk, blues, jazz and pop while also dipping into new and vibrant arrangements of classic songs like Elvis Costello’s ’Shipbuilding’.

Christine Collister grew up in the Isle of Man. Her professional recording career began in the mid-1980s but she first came to national attention singing the 1987 theme for the BBC Television series ’The Life and Loves Of A She Devil’. Following a fruitful association with The Richard Thompson Band, Christine enjoyed a period of critical and commercial success in a seven-year partnership with Clive Gregson.

Over the course of her 29-year career Christine has become a familiar name on the UK live scene and at all major festivals, from Glastonbury to Winnipeg to Cambridge. With a gravity defying voice, assured and impressive live performances and great personal charm she is a magical live performer.

Q magazine once said her voice had ’so much soul you think she’d been signed by Motown’.

Christine has always enjoyed the collaborative process and has been an integral part of various musical projects over the years, harmonies a strong point in all of them. Hell Bent Heaven Bound, alongside Barb Jungr, Michael Parker and Ian Shaw in 1992 was part of the ’Pick of the Fringe’ series at the South Bank following a great run at the Edinburgh Festival. Helen Watson replaced Ian Shaw for Hell Bent Heaven Bound II in 1993 . Both projects were themed collections of songs given effective and often unusual arrangements and harmonic twists - both shows were highly successful and played to packed houses both in the UK and Canada.

Christine has also worked closely with Dave Kelly, acclaimed British blues man and long-standing member of the highly-acclaimed Blues Band. They enjoyed several successful tours with a full band and most recently in 2011 with a more acoustic set-up, working with long time friend and collaborator Pete Filleul.

Christine performed as a solo act for many years but has been working with fellow Manxman Rob Cross since 2009. Rob brings a more sophisticated musical approach and his subtle use of Loop Station has brought great excitement and fun to the proceedings.

Daphne’s Flight will perform at the Centenary Centre in Peel at 8pm on Saturday, May 6. Tickets available from www.centenarycentre.com