Blue Lines [LP] (1991)

The first masterpiece of what was only termed trip-hop much later, Blue Lines filtered American hip-hop through the lens of British club culture, a stylish, nocturnal sense of scene that encompassed music from rare groove to dub to dance. The album balances dark, diva-led club jams along the lines of Soul II Soul with some of the best British rap (vocals and production) heard up to that point, occasionally on the same track. The opener "Safe from Harm" is the best example, with diva vocalist Shara Nelson trading off lines ... Read More

The first masterpiece of what was only termed trip-hop much later, Blue Lines filtered American hip-hop through the lens of British club culture, a stylish, nocturnal sense of scene that encompassed music from rare groove to dub to dance. The album balances dark, diva-led club jams along the lines of Soul II Soul with some of the best British rap (vocals and production) heard up to that point, occasionally on the same track. The opener "Safe from Harm" is the best example, with diva vocalist Shara Nelson trading off lines with the group's own monotone (yet effective) rapping. Even more than hip-hop or dance, however, dub is the big touchstone on Blue Lines. Most of the productions aren't quite as earthy as you'd expect, but the influence is palpable in the atmospherics of the songs, like the faraway electric piano on "One Love" (with beautiful vocals from the near-legendary Horace Andy). One track, "Five Man Army," makes the dub inspiration explicit, with a clattering percussion line, moderate reverb on the guitar and drums, and Andy's exquisite falsetto flitting over the chorus. Blue Lines isn't all darkness, either -- "Be Thankful for What You've Got" is quite close to the smooth soul tune conjured by its title, and "Unfinished Sympathy" -- the group's first classic production -- is a tremendously moving fusion of up-tempo hip-hop and dancefloor jam with slow-moving, syrupy strings. Flaunting both their range and their tremendously evocative productions, Massive Attack recorded one of the best dance albums of all time. [Blue Lines was re-released on LP in 2016.] ~ John Bush, Rovi Read Less

• All from $21.64
• New Music from $41.66
• Used Music from $21.64

• All Copies (2)
• Vinyl (1)
• CD (1)
• Choose Release (1)

• Music Details
• Seller
• Sort Seller Rating Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Condition Condition: Reverse Release Date Release Date: Rev Sellers Near Me

• CD, Good 2016, Virgin EMI UPC: 602557009606 See Item Details ▾

  HPB-Diamond HIGH Dallas, TX, USA

  $21.64 $25.98 Add to Cart Add this copy of Blue Lines [Lp] to cart. $21.64, good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Virgin.

  	Edition: 2016, Virgin EMI CD, Good	Details: UPC: 602557009606 Discs: 1 Label: Virgin EMI Released: 12/23/2016 Alibris ID: 17861640969	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $4.99 Trackable Expedited: $9.19 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
  ► Contact This Seller
  Hide Details ▴

• Vinyl, New 2016, Virgin EMI UPC: 602557009606 See Item Details ▾

  Revaluation Books HIGH Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM

  $41.66 Add to Cart Add this copy of Blue Lines [Vinyl] to cart. $41.66, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2016 by Commercial Marketing.

  	Edition: 2016, Virgin EMI Vinyl, New	Details: UPC: 602557009606 Discs: 1 Label: Virgin EMI Released: 2016 Alibris ID: 17872178382	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $4.99 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: New. 2016
  ► Contact This Seller
  Hide Details ▴

2016, Virgin EMI UPC: 602557009606 LP See All from $21.64