Maxinquaye - Tricky

Advantages: Just plain amazing
Disadvantages: None whatsoever

...To paraphrase from 'Maxinquaye' (Tricky's mum was called Maxine Quaye) which is Tricky's first solo album after leaving Massive Attack. It's chill out music at it's most chilled, and is less experimental (Or downright freaky) than later albums and features the distinctive voice of Martine whatever-her-surname-is. If you ask Tricky, it's not his finest hour and he'll say something very derogatory about it being like the Sneaker Pimps, but he sells ...
...is as follows, and I'm no Catlain Moran so a brilliant description for every single song isn't happening, but I'll do me best to capture the magic. 1- 'Overcome' AKA 'Karmacoma'. The version here ambles along cleverly enough, but I prefer the Massive Attack version because it's fuller and more musical. 2- 'Ponderosa' begins with a gentle ice-cream van like sound that slides into subtle piano. 3- 'Black Steel', a cover of that by Public Enemy is ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing debut
Disadvantages: Not music for everyone

From the opening rumblings of "Overcome" to the closing notes of "Feed Me", Tricky's debut album is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the '90s. A mix of trip-hop beats, samplings, rasping vocals by Tricky and delicate singing by Martina, the combination results in the production of 12 superb tracks. It proves to be a highly diverse album - "Black Steel" is a cover of a Public Enemy number, and is in much the same vein as the energy charged "Brand ...
...slow numbers "Pumpkin" and "Suffocated Love" and the rumbling beats of "Ponderosa" and "Aftermath". "Hell Is Round the Corner" paints a bleak and gloomy picture of life and the tones of its lyrics are eminent throughout other tracks on the album; On "Suffocated Love" : 'Now I could just kill a man' "You Don't" : 'I fight evil with evil' "Abbaon Fat Tracks": 'I f*** you in the ass, just for a laugh; with the quick speed, I'll make your nose bleed' ... Read review

Advantages: Full of excellent songs
Disadvantages: None

Tricky's Maxinquaye is one of those all time great albums! The mix of hip hop with complete mellow chillout music is blended together with absolute precision. You never tire of the songs here, and each time you listen to it you love it. Black Steel is one of my favourites, along with Hello is Round The Corner which are just excellent. The female vocals on some tracks with Tricky's vocals on others, and both together are a welcome diversion to keep ... Read review

Advantages: Dark and Moody
Disadvantages: Listen to by yourself

...Tricky's follow up to the highly acclaimed "Maxinquaye" sees a darker, moodier tricky moving more towards his hip-hop yearnings. The opening track is a fairly happy affair, Martina sings "I’m the one who hides his medicine, watch him stop breathing" and this sort of sets the tone. Other dark tracks include the ending "Piano" and "makes me wanna die" which is possibly one of the best chillout tunes ever written, and the ultimate love song for indie kids everywhere. Martina shines on many tracks especially "lyrics of fury" which will have you dancing for ages. Other notable tracks are "Tricky Kid" where Tricky talks about his pursuit by the media. He was called the messiah of music and was photographed for a magazine with a crown of thorns. "Ghetto youth", "sex drive", "bad things" and "My evil is strong" fill out the album continuing... Read review

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Advantages: Ryder
Disadvantages: None really

...have been so richly rewarded by an investment. Black Grape have made the record that could've blown the Mondays' 'Pills'N'Thrills And Bellyaches' out of the water, the record that should've been Primal Scream's next rootsier step to glory after 'Screamadelica', a record drenched in so many different styles and influences that it puts the recent achievements of Blur and Oasis in sharp perspective. Only Tricky's 'Maxinquaye' rivals 'It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah!' for lyrical, musical and sonic invention this year. And we all know where he got his cue from..." Que? But I guess you know what they're trying to say ... Black Grape were/are shit hot and Shaun Ryder is hot shit... eh?... Read review

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Advantages: Flawless Chillout Trip Hop
Disadvantages: None for people who like Trip Hop

...to provide yet another eclectic collaboration. The track then stops dead for almost a minute before it kicks in with nothing more than a modulating bass line that fades in with increasing volume. I’m not sure what it says, (not vocally rather metaphorically) but its very erm.. soothing. At just over 74 minutes long I thought the album was perfectly timed to accompany those moments spent listening to music when you are in need of chill, ready to shut your eyes or soothe away stress in the bath or talking in softened tones to your mate (friend or partner). This must be what Massive Attack have aimed for and hit with. If you aren’t sure you’d like this, or like this and want something else then I’d recommend Portishead – Dummy Massive Attack – Mezzanine Tricky – Maxinquay Morcheeba – Big Calm (though it’s a bit more Trip Pop than... Read review

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