Audio Drums

Dark  and mesmerizing, but propelled by a hypnotic beat and the sultry voice of Hope Sandoval.   From Massive Attack’s 2010 release, “Heligoland” which is set to be released on Feburary 8th.

Massive Attack – Paradise Circus (Ft. Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star)

Background from wiki:

The album release was preceded on October 4, 2009 by an EP, Splitting the Atom. During its gestation, it was often referred to as “LP5″, a reference to it being their fifth studio album (not counting Danny the Dog) or “Weather Underground” (Robert Del Naja’s early working title for the record) in the media.^[3]

Many other artists recorded sessions during the duo’s post-100th Window era but are not featured on the album: Jhelisa (Anderson – also recorded for 100th Window and was not included on that album either), Stephanie Dosen, Yolanda (Quarty of Phantom Limb), Aku and Akwetey Orraca-Tetteh of Dragons of Zynth, Elizabeth Fraser, Dot Allison, Debbie Clare, Mike Patton, Fredo Viola, Beth Orton and Terry Callier. Backing tracks from Grant Marshall’s side of Massive Attack’s writing are known to have been sent to Alice Russell, Patti Smith and David Bowie during this era but collaboration did not come to fruition, nor did talks with Tom Waits or Tricky, in terms of featuring as guest vocalists on the record. Mos Def and Leslie Feist were also mooted as artists to be recorded, back at the beginning of the era in 2004^[4]. Despite online suggestions to the contrary, no recording sessions with Sia ever took place. Post-punks, Mark Stewart and Keith Levine also came into Del Naja’s 100 Suns studio in 2009, but it does not appear that they have made any contribution to the album. From the new songs that were played during previous tours many were not included on the record, including songs nicknamed as “All I Want”, “Red Light”, “Kingpin”, “Heartcliff Star”, “Marakesh” (an ‘08 track completely different musically from, though lyrically similar to, another song also provisionally entitled “Marakesh” that became Atlas Air), “Marooned” and “Dobro”.

Burial has been supplied with Heligoland’s tracks to remix. This connection has been compared to the remix relationship with Mad Professor in the nineties which led to the No Protection album and all of Mezzanine’s tracks being given dub remix treatment, many (though not all) having been released on the singles from that LP.

The limited edition of Heligoland will include a special 28-page booklet and a bonus disc of other material, which it is thought will include a number of the commissioned remixes. An EP including songs known from previous tours (such as the working-titled “Dobro”) but not included on the album is planned for release in May 2010, according to Robert Del Naja.^[5]

You may recognize her voice from Kleerup’s single “”Longing for Lullabies.”  This single can be found on Titiyo’s 2008 release titled, “Hidden”.   Heartbreaking track with cinematic flare and hints of Trip Hop flavor.

Titiyo – Stumble To Fall

Skye Edwards was the former lead singer for Morcheeba, who released a solo effort in 2006 called, “Mind How You Go”.  Funny enough Jim Noir gave this remix the Morcheeba trip hop treatment to full effect, laid back, smooth and sultry with a dash of 60’s psychedelic.

Skye – What’s Wrong With Me [Jim Noir remix]

[New Album Alert] Skye’s second full length is titled, “Keeping Secret” due out later this year.

Loving this Gorillaz’s esque hip-hop track from Massive Attack’s ep, “Splitting The Atom”, that sounds quite freaky.

Massive Attack – Splitting The Atom (Ft. The 3D, Daddy G, and Horace Andy)

Since I can’t say this any better, so I’ll let wikipedia take it from here:

His song “About Her”, based on “She’s Not There” by The Zombies, rose to prominence when used by director Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill Vol. 2. He was accused of plagiarism for this song in 2005 for allegedly copying the work of a French musician, but was cleared of the charges in November 2005 when the court in Angers, France threw out the case[1]. The song uses Esther Bigeou’s “St. Louis Blues” by repeatedly playing the verse, “My man’s got a heart like a rock cast in the sea.”

This track is, to me, is very Trip Hop.  Hence my for love it!

Malcolm Mclaren – About Her

And of course the classic Malcome Mclaren track, Buffalo Gals:

This track can be found on their 3rd Studio album, back in  2002.  Have to say, this track always makes it on my compilations cd’s as well as my regular ipod playlist.  The track has a little funk and trip hop soul in there with some modern tones.  Vocalist Chris Corner was rumored to be working on a new Sneaker Pimps album, but most tracks made it to his 2009 album under his moniker of “IAMX”.

Sneaker Pimps – Sick

Going back to the crates on this one, back in 1995 when electronica started to get darker and edgier came along Ruby.   They had a great first outing with their debut release, “Salt Peter”.  Ruby was the partnership of Lesley Rankine and Mark Walk.  Lesley is currently on hiatus in her home country of Scotland, while Mark Walk currently resides in LA and is producing music for TV and Film.  I hope Lesley will return and grace us with her vocals on some much needed new tunes.  I can’t tell you home many times I listened to “Salt Peter” on CD.  Lesley has a certain Growl to her voice that just cuts.

Ruby – Hoops

Ruby – Tiny Meat