Massive Attack

Although Massive Attack signed to Circa records and released their first single, "Daydreaming" in 1990, they have been in existence since 1987. They were one of the first homegrown bands to merge rap and graffiti art rocking their local Bristol scene with some momentous jams at Bristol's Dugout club. Massive Attack released their debut album, "Blue Lines" in 1991 and made their name by completely redefining the boundaries of dance based pop. They were the quintessential nineties pop group, a collective inspired by rap, dub and club culture, taking all those genres and forging a totally unique type and style of music. From the album an number of extraordinary singles were released; "Daydreaming", "Unfinished Sympathy" and "Safe From Harm". "Blue Lines" was subsequently voted Best Album of 1991 by the Face (with "Unfinished Sympathy" taking best single). Indeen, "Blue Lines" remains one of the finest, most realised albums of the nineties, merging technological sophistication with hard urban lyrics and cutting edge beats. In 1994, their eagerly anticipated follow-up album "Protection" was released. This album is as strange and startling in its way as its predecessor and features vocal contributions from Tracey Thorn, Horace Andy, Nicolette and Tricky and is unlike anything else you are ever likely to hear. In the three years between the release of the first album and "Protection" the group went underground working on a collection of tracks to go on their new album. Massive Attack also parted company with their lead singer Shara Nelson who left to pursue a solo career, explaning the amount of different vocalists used on the new album. Indeed, it is no surprise that as the creative core of the group is made up of a collective of rappers, dj's, singers and musicians the experience that is Massive Attack is a unique one.

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