Clearly, politics was what was on Massive Attack‘s mind at the wake of Britain’s conservative party take over. As the group’s co-founder, Robert “3D” Del Naja told the audience, “They say you get what you deserve. Tonight you’ve got us,” a reference to the day’s top news story.

Massive Attack’s last show in New York at the Roseland in 2006, the duo played their chilling sonic sounds with LED lights as the stage’s backdrop, adding a visual aura to their sound. This time around at New York’s Terminal 5 on May 11, 2010, they used the space not only as visual stimulation, but also to broadcast harrowing statistics, revolutionary facts and quotes by like minded thinkers, such as Howard Zinn (who passed away earlier this year) and the late Malcolm X, with the occasional reference to www.peoplespeak.com – a movement inspired by cultural critic and historian, Howard Zinn.

Equip with their prime artists, roots reggae singer Horace Andy, Martina Topley Bird (known largely for her work with Trip Hop pioneer, Tricky), and Deborah Miller, each delivered their tunes with heart, and performing songs mainly from Massive Attack‘s new album Heligoland and their seminal album Mezzanine for a two hour set. Deborah Miller‘s performances of “Safe From Harm” and “Unfinished Sympathy” were truly amazing. Considering Miller wasn’t the vocalist on the original recording of “Unfinished Sympathy,” she has taken it and made it her own. Check out the medley put together from the show. Enjoy!

After seven years, Massive Attack, the progenitors of the trip hop sound are back with a new album, Heligoland. During the summer, they released the single “Spitting the Atom” for free download featuring the wonderful vocals of reggae veteran, Horace Andy. With Heligoland, their fifth release, the journey contains their usual distorted guitars, orchestral arrangements, haunting drums and percussions – reminiscent of Bjork’s earlier works. Still using the sleepy vocals of Martina Topley-Bird on “Babel” and “Psyche,” Horace Andy also on “Girl I Love You,” and new collaborative additions with Guy Harvey (Elbow), Damon Albarn (the Gorillaz), Tunde Adebimpe (TV On The Radio) — the return is nothing short of what we’d expect from this innovative band.

As always, their album art work always pushes the envelop. Not many know of the movement Robert “3D” Del Naja has created in designing album covers for particular bands; his work is highly influenced by the late Jean Michel Basquiat. Read this Guardian.co.uk article about his visual art of darkness.

Below are my favourite cuts off the album. Heligoland is available at iTunes, Amazon, and other retailers.

“Atlas Air”

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“Babel” feat. Martina Topley-Bird

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The Prince’s of Trip Hop are busy in the lab working on their new EP for an October release, with a full album out in January 2010. I can’t wait! The last time I saw these guys live was in 2006 at New York’s Roseland (by the way, Roseland has the best PA system I’ve ever heard in my life!). Not knowing what to expect from the Bristol boys on whether they’d be able to translate their moody music into performance, we were surprisingly sent home on a massive musical high. They were dope. The new album features the wonderful roots reggae singer Horace Andy, known for his classic “Natty Dread A Weh She Want” and Martina Topley-Bird, known for her work with Tricky – but came out with a great debut album, The Blue God last year. Check out Massive Attack‘s first single below, “Spitting the Atom” below – sounding Gorillaz gone dark. Love it!

For further updates on this release, go to Massive Attack‘s website.

The life of Terry Callier is a redemptive tale of the constant push and pull between responsibility and doing the thing you love and believe in. He gained moderate success in the 70s and early 80s, recording and writing for notable artists such as The Dells, Jerry Butler, and Curtis Mayfield. But after gaining full-custody of his daughter in 80s, he walked away from his musical career.

He reemerged when British DJ’s in the late 80s discovered his music and began to fuse it with their underground sound of the time, Acid Jazz. By the early 90s, UK label This Is Acid Jazz contacted him regarding the remix of one of his songs, which lead to Callier traveling back and forth to Europe for music festivals and concerts, working on various labels such as Verve and the now defunct Talking Loud.

Although his foot was half only half way through door, Callier has over 16 albums under his belt and has worked with Massive Attack, 4Hero, and Koop. His new album, Hidden Conversations, which comes out later this month, is a journey through political struggles, love loss, with moody, yet melodic vocals, over atmospheric arrangements, stretching Callier’s artistry to new heights in a way that flows naturally. The song “Wings” below was co-written with Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, who co-wrote and produced three songs on the album. Mmm, I wonder what Horace Andy is doing these days…

“Wings” from Hidden Conversations

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