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Blue Lines

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Blue Lines is the debut by Massive Attack and was released in April 1991. The group from Bristol worked on it for about eight months, with Jonny Dollar as co-producer. Many of the ideas were already years old, dating from the days of The Wild Bunch and the Bristol sound systems. Neneh Cherry got the group working, and part of it was recorded at her home. Singers Shara Nelson and Horace Andy contributed to the record.

The sound blends hip hop, dub, soul, reggae and electronic music into dance music for the head rather than the feet. The tempos are low, sometimes only 67 beats per minute. Blue Lines is regarded as the first album of what would later be called trip hop. Critics called it a blueprint for that style, and according to The Guardian it still sounds unique. Unfinished Sympathy received a great deal of praise. In 1991 the record reached number 13 on the UK album chart.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Unfinished Sympathy and notice how Shara Nelson's voice rises above the slow, nocturnal rhythm.

Track list

  1. 1Safe From Harm (feat. Shara Nelson) [2012 Mix/Master]5:20Apple Music ↗
  2. 2One Love (feat. Horace Andy) [2012 Mix/Master]4:48Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Blue Lines (feat. Tricky) [2012 Mix/Master]4:22Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Be Thankful For What You've Got (feat. Tony Bryan) [2012 Mix/Master]4:10Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Five Man Army (feat. Horace Andy & Tricky) [2012 Mix/Master]6:04Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Unfinished Sympathy (feat. Shara Nelson) [2012 Mix/Master]5:08Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Daydreaming (feat. Shara Nelson & Tricky) [2012 Mix/Master]4:15Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Lately (feat. Shara Nelson) [2012 Mix/Master]4:26Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Hymn Of The Big Wheel (feat. Horace Andy) [2012 Mix/Master]6:22Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs