The fertile music scene of Bristol, England, took on a brand new dimension within the late 80s, when Daddy G, Nellee Hooper, and DJ Milo’s Wild Bunch sound system began that includes rappers and singers together with 3D, Mushroom, Tricky and Shara Nelson. After a few singles from The Wild Bunch, Daddy G, 3D and Mushroom started Massive Attack in 1988, teaming up with influential producers Smith & Mighty for “Any Love.” In 1991, following patronage from Neneh Cherry, the group launched Blue Lines, which hung over the 90s able of supreme significance, effortlessly melding their influences from soul, funk, hip-hop, reggae, and electronica right into a definitive state-of-the-nation handle with a set that comprises lots of the finest Massive Attack songs. It was the beginning of a outstanding profession has continued to vary form all through the years that adopted.
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Massive Attack’s good dealing with of their numerous materials was assisted enormously by the collective strategy inherited from their sound system days (mirrored by Soul II Soul, with whom Nellee Hooper went on to work). Tricky made common appearances with the group till his solo profession accelerated, the landmark downbeat hip-hop single “Daydreaming” discovering him buying and selling rhymes of a distinctly British nature and accent with 3D. Blue Lines additionally included 4 tracks that includes the vocals of Shara Nelson, together with the exemplary, rolling fashionable soul of “Safe From Harm” and the transcendent strings and propulsive bells of “Unfinished Sympathy.” The latter was the very definition of a contemporary traditional, and Hooper and Paul Oakenfold scrabbled to supply equally sterling remixes to enhance the definitive, tear-jerking album combine. The report exhibited the primary vocals for the group from reggae legend Horace Andy as properly, together with the rippling, spine-tingling, environmentally conscious post-rave anthem “Hymn Of The Big Wheel.”
Between Blue Lines and their second album, 1994’s Protection, the group’s sound grew to become referred to as trip-hop, and fellow Bristolians Tricky and Portishead additionally launched rabidly profitable units. Protection featured Shut Up & Dance protégé Nicolette (her contributions together with single “Sly”) and, most notably, two items starring Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn, together with the title monitor. Her assured performances sealed the deal: the group have been now the act of selection for forward-thinking, upwardly cell varieties, and the most effective Massive Attack songs balanced claustrophobic, brutally British performances such because the Tricky-featuring, throat singing-sampling “Karmacoma” with the crystal-clear disappointment and dignity of Thorn’s work. Reflecting the group’s continued reggae hyperlinks (on items akin to “Spying Glass”, with Horace Andy once more), there was additionally a dub companion set, No Protection, combined by Mad Professor. Tunes akin to “Better Things” have been remodeled within the Prof’s flexible mirror, the resultant “Moving Dub” chucking Thorn’s vocal round inside a bass cavern, whereas leaving all of the house intact.
While band dynamics grew to become considerably fractious, Massive Attack adopted a line away from their funkier roots and into atmospherics, stopping off to create some lush, strings-filled remixes of Garbage’s “Milk.” The state of their worldwide relationships additionally resulted within the considerably bleaker materials that emerged on 1998’s Mezzanine, which confirmed the group’s legacy. The key feminine leads this time got here from ex-Cocteau Twin Elizabeth Fraser, who additionally wrote the lyrics for her items, notably the cryptic “Black Milk” and the shifting “Teardrop.” The latter’s ticking percussion nonetheless linked again to the free funk of earlier albums, mixed with one of many group’s most ethereal vocals, making it many followers’ go-to monitor among the many finest Massive Attack songs; it was reportedly nearly given to Madonna, and was later bludgeoned to loss of life by The Collective for a charity single.
Massive Attack weren’t shy of the odd cowl model themselves, using Horace Andy on reggae customary “Man Next Door,” a John Holt composition so steeped in traditional variations that it’s onerous to seek out new expression in it. 3D and co-managed anyway, with the singular, fretting lyrics concerning the pressures of city life suiting the group completely. There was additionally a powerful vocal from Sara Jay on “Dissolved Girl,” which, over darkish instrumentation, focuses on somebody missing the wherewithal to go away a messed-up relationship. This included a gnarly guitar part which signaled the path 3D was taking the group in, as furthered on their remix of Primal Scream’s “Exterminator” (the 2 acts discovered frequent floor over politics).
Following their cerebral, sky-scraping, neck-breaking “I Against I” collaboration with US rapper Mos Def, the group (a duo since 1999, and, with Daddy G then briefly leaving the image, centered round 3D and producer Neil Davidge) delivered 2003’s a centesimal Window. A tad extra comfy than Mezzanine, in addition to that includes a collaboration with Damon Albarn, it switched the lead feminine vocalist but once more, this time favoring Sinéad O’Connor on three tracks, together with single “Special Cases,” with its post-punk bassline and sonics paying homage to My Bloody Valentine.
Having already contributed to soundtracks (apt contemplating their cinematic sound), Massive Attack offered the total rating for Danny The Dog (2004), which led to 3D and Davidge engaged on many extra, each collectively and individually. The group’s 2006 compilation Collected included the flawless contact of veteran vocalist Terry Callier on “Live With Me” (additionally “stripped back” into a mode extra in line with his different, non secular materials on one of many single mixes), and the double-disc model of the comp noticed the discharge of vault materials.
Seven years after a centesimal Window, fifth studio album Heligoland finally appeared in 2010, that includes Daddy G again within the fold, in addition to numerous collaborations with Damon Albarn. Vocals got here from TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, Tricky collaborator Martina Topley-Bird, and Elbow’s Guy Garvey. Mazzy Star’s immensely gifted and fashionable Hope Sandoval contributed single “Paradise Circus,” with its deceptively poppy handclaps.
Another promising vary of contributors labored on the Ritual Spirit EP (with a title monitor sporting singer Azekel, plus the long-awaited return of Tricky, and materials involving long-established British rapper Roots Manuva and the hotly-tipped Young Fathers). Single “The Spoils” reunited the group with Hope Sandoval, backed with rapper Ghostpoet, who continues the group’s love affair with desperation and confusion on “Come Near Me.”
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