(Virgin/EMI)

How do you write a review for a band that has been documented in the most intricate detail? For the uninitiated, Massive Attack was one of the best bands of the 90s, no doubt about it. So much so they managed to create an entirely new genre of music called trip hop, blending diverse influences such as punk, ragga, hip hop and a much more. Throw in a love of graffiti and you’ve got one potent act!

Interestingly, Massive lacked the ambition of other popular acts such as U2. Instead, their passion was for throwing parties, to share their musical ideas with others. The fact they happened to start making albums is more luck than careful planning, and this approach is clearly reflected in their sporadic output of original music and album releases. It’s been painstaking for fans, but definitely not to be missed. Evidence of MA’s success is the cross-over chart success they achieved, as well as a number of new acts, most notably Portshead and the Sneaker Pimps (although the latter’s best form was short lived).

So what do we ‘ave ‘ere? Collected is basically a greatest hits package. I recently read an interview where band member Daddy G (I just love that name!) explained that in a business sense this is MA’s way of saying to their record company ‘thanks for your patience’. Can you imaging all the waiting? Arrrgghhh! Collected is a good listen even if we are very familiar with the music and already have most of it. There are 14 tracks in total on a single disk, with a good spread from each of their 4 albums.

What’s interesting to me is the way their sound changes, starting with the more uplifting tracks such as Unfinished Symphony from album # 1 Blue Lines, shifting to a more tightly produced sound in Protection, then the really full-on dark and twisted Mezzanine. Many of my fav’s are here, such as the beautiful soulful vocals of Tracey Thorn and melodic keys on Protection, to the grinding beats of Angel. It must have been such a tough task whittling down their awesome collection to a single disk and you can’t please everybody. This said, I feel there are some major chunks missing, such as my all time fav Eurochild or Blue Lines. My reasoning is the rapping of Tricky was what got me into MA because it added a funky element.

Collected includes two tracks from MA’s most recent 100th Window album, What Your Soul Sings and Future Proof. I feel these stick out like a sore thumb and it has been widely documented that this album had a difficult gestation period. Daddy G was taking a break from MA, and remaining head member 3D put through the media wringer. What makes these tracks stand out is their lack of melody, something MA always managed to maintain even in their darkest moments of their first three albums.

This is a quality release and a must for any serious music lover that doesn’t already had MA’s albums. Collected really highlights the benefit of using a new vocalist on each album, providing a distinct personality and evolving the direction of their sound. Each new release was just so original, you had to love them! For existing fans, I suggest you track down the limited edition of Collected, as it contains a 2nd disk with many hard to find B-sides and remixes, such as I Against I from the Blade II soundtrack. Both editions contain a booklet with artwork from the band and this is typically obscure and cool in style.

The highlight of Collected for me however is the track titled Live with Me. This is a big return to form with amazing soulful male vocals, in some ways referencing their past work but also with a fresh new feel. There are some terrific MA interviews floating around the net currently, indicating the band is working furiously on new material for their forthcoming ’07 album, currently titled Weather Underground. Daddy G has also re-joined the group (despite their ongoing fractured relationship). So I consider Collected to be a terrific reference to the past and beginning of a new era, and not an indication of a group in decline.