Massive Attack - Blue Lines [180g] (LP) Vinyl

Blue Lines is the debut studio album by the English group Massive Attack, released on 8 April 1991 by Wild Bunch and Virgin Records. The recording was led by Grantley "Daddy G" Marshall, Robert "3D" Del Naja, Adrian "Tricky" Thaws and Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles, with co-writing and co-production by Jonny Dollar, and it features guest vocals from Shara Nelson and Horace Andy. This edition is the 180 gram vinyl reissue on Wild Bunch Records, Virgin and Circa, catalogue number 5700960.

The Album

Blue Lines is generally regarded as the first trip hop record. It blends elements of hip hop, including breakbeats, sampling and rapping, with dub, soul, reggae and electronic music, and it established Massive Attack as one of the most innovative British bands of the 1990s. Four singles were drawn from it: "Daydreaming" in October 1990, "Unfinished Sympathy" in February 1991, "Safe from Harm" in May 1991, and "Hymn of the Big Wheel" backed with "Be Thankful for What You've Got" in February 1992. "Unfinished Sympathy" carries a string arrangement written by Jonny Dollar and arranged and conducted by Wil Malone. The album runs to 45 minutes and 8 seconds across nine tracks.

Recording

The album was recorded between 1990 and 1991 across five rooms: Coach House Studios in Bristol, Eastcote Studios in London, Cherry Bear Studios, Abbey Road Studios in London and Hot Nights in London. Mixing was split between Matrix Studios, Konk Studios and The Roundhouse in London, and Coach House in Bristol. Massive Attack and Jonny Dollar produced, with Cameron McVey credited as executive producer.

This Pressing

Issued in Europe on 2 December 2016 and manufactured by Virgin Records Ltd, this stereo single LP was pressed on 180 gram vinyl by Optimal Media GmbH. The labels carry the Wild Bunch design with the side matrices 5700960-A and 5700960-B.

Packaging

The sleeve reproduces the original artwork by Del Naja, Michael Nash and Blame: Judy, a flammable-materials warning diamond set on plain board, with the band name set in Helvetica Black Oblique. Del Naja has acknowledged the influence of the inflammable material logo used by Stiff Little Fingers. The rear photograph of the group is by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. A printed inner sleeve carrying credits and photographs is included.

Track Listing

Side A: Safe From Harm; One Love; Blue Lines; Be Thankful For What You've Got; Five Man Army
Side B: Unfinished Sympathy; Daydreaming; Lately; Hymn Of The Big Wheel