BBC Review
This is a compilation to cherish - one where you can leave the skip button untouched.
Jack Smith 2003-02-05
After a three-year hiatus, Massive Attack's sole survivor, Robert '3D' Del Naja has skimmed the cream off their four albums for Collected, a medley of musical mastery.
This 'Best Of' launches with 1991's "Safe From Harm", featuring Shara Nelson's emotionally-charged delivery which pulls on the heart-strings and sets the quality bar for the next 13 songs.
The band unfurl their armoury of chilled beats, dub-drenched basslines, shimmering vocals and brooding strings, reminding you of just how influential the Bristol trio have been on down-tempo music in the UK.
With gems including "Teardrop", "Inertia Creeps", "Protection" and "Unfinished Sympathy", Collected is an ear-pricking panorama of the '90s. A hint at the band's future direction comes with the bonus track "Live With Me", which boasts the soulful talents of Terry Callier.
This is a compilation to cherish - one where you can leave the skip button untouched.
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