Well, quite simply because they asked me to I hadnt seen them since 2003 when we kind of parted ways and but still kind of remained in touch with Ross via Myspace, but last September, Ross and I bumped into each other in London. It was a complete surprise because we hadnt actually seen each other for such a long time and also because he is now based in California, so it was a real shock to see him again over here. So we rekindled with each other. And a few weeks later, my management was also approached by Morcheeba, who told them that they were in the process of recording a new album and would like me to feature on a couple of songs So me and the guys went for a meal and talked about the past and the future of Morcheeba, and I told them that if we were to do something together again, it should be a whole album, rather than just a couple of songs here and there, that we should make it something special! So we went in the studio at the end of last year and had the demos of songs by December, I recorded my vocals in January and the album, Blood Like lemonade, was released earlier this month (7th June), so it was quite a speedy process.

Again, theyd asked me to leave and wed reached a stage where we werent really getting on anymore. I guess we were quite burnt-out around the time of recording our fourth album, Charango (2002), and the boys suggested I should go and take a break, so I took this opportunity to focus on my solo career, really. After our last gig together, back in August 2003, Id gone on holiday and on my return they told me they would carry on with the band with another member.

Well, not really even though, my husband (bassist Steve Gordon) was still in touch and working with them, so it was kind of weird, really, a bit like seeing your partner with an ex-girlfriend.

Well, both have good points. As much as I enjoy being solo, I wasnt completely on my own: I worked with producers like Pat Leonard, whod worked with Madonna, or Daniel Lanois on songwriting as well, so this gave me a lot of confidence as a singer-songwriter... I had never contemplated being a songwriter when I was first in Morcheeba. Being in a band is like being in a relationship: you have to compromise a lot. With this last album, Blood Like Lemonade, it has been a luxury to be in Morcheeba again, from writing melodies to suggesting chords.

I dont know... what often happens with bands is that they grow up together and then grow apart and find life outside the band and once theyre old enough and more mature people come back and are ready to make music together again. And thats kind of what happened to us. Before then, Morcheeba was the centre of our world, especially for Ross and Paul, but now weve all settled down and married. So, now we all know that theres life outside of the band, outside Morcheeba.

Not really, because I tend to listen to completely different music from mine anyway: John Martin, Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra So I am a bit of the loop when it comes to modern day singing.

Well, actually, I was offered the last album of Brightblack Morning Light, which I love, its very folk. I have been listening to it a lot, from the kitchen to the car. Not much is known or written about them, but theyre a great American Band.

I like to make clothes. Before joining the band, I went to the London College of Fashion and studied Fashion Design, Technology and Textile.

All the dresses I wear on stage for the Blood Like Lemonade tour, I made myself. I love fashion: I love watching fashion TV programs and reading fashion magazines.

Yeah, quite possibly. If I had been any good!

Funny you should ask that- I have actually: when my little boy was about two years old, he was in such a state that he would actually make himself sick, I bought this book, Toddler Taste. Its on my shelf when I need it.

I think Im a good mother, yes, I do. You know, I love my kids and family. We try and do as much as possible together, we try to make sure that when we have our dinner we sit around the table, I make hand-made birthday or gift cards with them basically to spend some quality time together. You know I travel around the world for work, and theyre very proud of me and when theyre on school holidays they get to come on tour with us. I first took my eldest son whos now 14 on tour when he was nine months old, my daughter who is ten when she was about three months and I was criticised at the time for taking a baby on tour and I said well, this is my job I travel and the best place for them is with me and they get to travel around the world.

Well, with all the travel and the kids now going to school it gets a bit tricky when Im on tour but as I said I take them with me as often as I can. Also, like for any parent whether in a nine-to-five job or not, finding the right person to take care of them when Im not around can be challenging, unless youve got the luxury of leaving them with a grandparent or something.

Well, yeah, my eldest son has got a guitar and weve got amplifiers in the garage, so he helps himself and weve got a drum kit and all set up in there too , and he plays a little bit of that as well. My daughter is more of a singer and she is developing her voice, while my youngest son is all about drums [chuckles]

Well, I dont really feel any because I really enjoy it.

Its good to be back in Morcheeba, and I feel a lot of the fans are happy about it too. I remember, even in my time away from the band, working on my solo projects, people would recognize me and come to me, thinking my name was Morcheeba!

Erm, well, I absolutely love Shirley Bassey.

Erm, off the top of my head, I cannot think of anyone.

Yes, were booked in for The Big Chill Festival on the 8th August.