Tricky - Maxinquaye (1995)

Twelve tracks collected to form one dark, brooding, sensual debut solo album. The sound of digital urban decay that was far ahead of its time. 

Best listened to on headphones very late at night, after everyone has gone to bed. 
Tricky - Maxinquaye (1995; 4th & Broadway Records)

Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out Of Season (2002)

This album is the missing link between Talk Talk and Portishead; it's no wonder that Rustin Man (Paul Webb of Talk Talk) and Beth Gibbons were attracted to each other- I always thought Talk Talk was one of the main influences behind the whole trip-hop movement. Except this takes out almost all the acid jazz influence and replaces it with an even more downtempo approach (dare I say loungey vibe?) and inserts Gibbons' wavering and sometimes ancient sounding voice on top of Rustin Man's pastoral and fragile (as well as creepy at times) music.

Listen to one of the decade's best hidden gems; if you missed this one and liked Portishead's "comeback" album, you'll be able to hear Webb's influence on that record as well...

Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out of Season (2002; Go! Beat Records)
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