Mandalay - Empathy (1998)
Mandalay were a Trip-Hop band at the tail end of the movement. Madonna claims they are her favorite band, but ignore that. All you need to know is that this album was repackaged and sold as a Portishead album for several years (perpetrators still unknown), which should give you an indication of its quality. Singer Nicola Hitchcock's (best. name. ever.) delicate voice remains consistent from song to song, but the instrumentals shift radically every time you think you have them pinned down.
Kind of like: A compilation of Lamb, Crystal Method, Thievery Corporation, Cinematic Orchestra, and Massive Attack songs, except with Beth Gibbons singing over all of them.
download
sounds like instant win, gonna try it. thanks ;D
it's still trip-hop, don't get me wrong. if you aren't a big fan to begin with, this isn't going to convert you. try it and see.
I clicked download as soon as you mentioned Portishead.
I absolutely adored this band, and was really sad when they broke up in 02. I highly recommend this album, as well as their follow up, Instinct. US released 'Solace' was a good compilation of the two, with a pretty good bonus cd of remixes... totally worth checking out, if you like downtempo.
Might add that Nicola Hitchcock released a solo album a while back called Passive Agressive, definately worth checking out if you enjoy this.