Protection

Tracey Thorn's voice gives the title track of Protection a patient, intimate centre. Massive Attack build around it with bass, restrained beats and space, continuing their mixture of hip-hop and dub while allowing different singers to change the atmosphere from one song to the next.

Nicolette brings another vocal character to “Three” and “Sly,” while Horace Andy maintains the connection to reggae. The arrangements avoid rushing their ideas. Long passages of repetition let a small instrumental entrance or a shift in the voice carry unusual weight.