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Tricky’s Maxinquaye is 20
Back in 1995, Knowle West musician Tricky released his debut album Maxinquaye. The album went on to feature in many a top 100 albums ever list and has stood the test of time, with Tricky performing it in its entirety live on stage a few years ago.
And this month marks 20 years since its release. 20 years since we first heard that opening riff from Overcome, first enjoyed the blend of Tricky’s signature beats and former Clifton College student Martina Topley Bird’s luscious vocals.
Named after his mother, Maxine Quaye, the Mercury Prize-nominated album proved a dark yet strangely uplifting blend of dub, soul, rock, electronica and hip hop. A well-received solo effort from the underground artist from Knowle West who had previously been part of the Wild Bunch and collaborated with Massive Attack.
is needed now More than ever
But Tricky himself, now 47, has other ideas: “I can’t even listen to it.” he told David Bennun of The Quietus, adding: “I find it hard to do it live because, for me, Maxinquaye is a shit album, as in now it sounds just like hundreds of other shit albums out there.”
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