The pioneering force behind the rise of { rip-hop}, {$Massive Attack} were among the most innovative and influential groups of their generation; their hypnotic sound -- a darkly sensual and cinematic fusion of {hip-hop} rhythms, soulful melodies, {dub} grooves, and choice samples -- set the pace for much of the dance music to emerge throughout the 1990s, paving the way for such acclaimed artists as {$Portishead}, {$Sneaker Pimps}, {$Beth Orton}, and {$Tricky}, himself a {$Massive Attack} alumnus. Their history dates back to 1983 and the formation of {$the Wild Bunch}, one of the earliest and most successful sound-system/DJ collectives to arrive on the U.K. music scene; renowned for their seamless integration of a wide range of musical styles, from {punk} to {
eggae} to {R&B}, the group's parties quickly became can't-miss events for the Bristol club crowd, and at the peak of their popularity they drew crowds so enormous that the local live music scene essentially ground to a halt.
When {$the Wild Bunch} folded during the mid-'80s, two of its members -- {$Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles} and {$Grant "Daddy G" Marshall} -- teamed with local graffiti artist {$3D} (born {$Robert del Naja}) to form {$Massive Attack} in 1987; another {$Wild Bunch} alum, {$Nellee Hooper}, split his time between the new group and his other project, {$Soul II Soul}. The group's first single, {&"Daydreaming,"} appeared in 1990; it featured the sultry vocals of singer {$Shara Nelson} and raps by {$Tricky}, another onetime {$Wild Bunch} collaborator. The classic {&"Unfinished Sympathy"} followed, as did another compelling effort, {&"Safe From Harm."} Finally, in 1991 {$Massive Attack} issued their debut LP, {^Blue Lines}; while by no means a huge commercial success, the record was met with major critical praise, and was dubbed an instant classic in many quarters. {$Nelson}, featured on many of the album's most memorable tracks, exited for a solo career soon after, and the group then confusingly changed their name to simply "{$Massive}" to avoid any implication of approval for the U.N.'s policy towards Iraq; in the wake of the disastrous U.S. tour that followed, many were quick to write the band off right then and there.
After a three-year layoff, {$Massive Attack} -- their full name now properly reinstated -- resurfaced with {^Protection}; again working with {$Hooper} and {$Tricky}, they also brought into the fold vocalist {$Nicolette}, as well as {$Everything but the Girl}'s {$Tracey Thorn}. Three singles -- {&"Karmacoma,"} {&"Sly,"} and the title track -- were released from the LP, which was also remixed in its entirety by {$Mad Professor} and issued as {^No Protection}. A lengthy tour followed, and over the next several years, {$Massive Attack}'s solo work was primarily confined to remixes for artists including {$Garbage}; they also worked with {$Madonna} on a track for a {$Marvin Gaye} tribute album. Finally, to promote their appearance at the annual Glastonbury music festival, the group issued a new EP, {^Risingson}, during the summer of 1997. The third full-length {$Massive Attack} effort, {^Mezzanine}, appeared in mid-1998; in addition to {
eggae} singer {$Horace Andy}, making his third consecutive LP appearance with the group, vocal chores were handled by {$the Cocteau Twins}' {$Elizabeth Fraser} and newcomer {$Sara Jay}. {^Mezzanine} became a cult hit among critics, clubs, and the college crowds, spinning successful singles such as {&"Teardrop"} and {&"Inertia Creeps."} A tour of America and Europe followed, but {$Vowles} left the band after disagreeing with the artistic direction of {^Mezzanine}. {$Del Naja} and {$Marshall} continued as a duo, later working with the likes of {$David Bowie} and {$the Dandy Warhols}, but {$Marshall} later took a leave of absence to raise his family; producer {$Neil Davidge} took up the slack. In February 2003, after a five-year wait, {$Massive Attack} released their fourth album, {^100th Window}, including collaborations with mainstay {$Horace Andy} as well as {$Sinéad O'Connor}. {^Danny the Dog} from 2004 marked the group's entry into the world of soundtracks. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guides
Bio written by: Jason Ankeny |
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