Protection

"Protection" is the second studio album by the British trip-hop group Massive Attack, released on 26 September 1994. One of the album's most fascinating aspects is its mix of various musical styles, blending trip-hop with elements of ambient, dub, and soul, which further solidified Massive Attack's reputation as pioneers of the trip-hop genre.

The album features the title track "Protection," which showcases the ethereal vocals of Tracey Thorn from the band Everything But The Girl. Her involvement added a unique depth and emotive quality to the track, which became one of the standout features of the album.

A curious fact about "Protection" is its collaboration with reggae artist Horace Andy, whose distinctive voice can be heard on several tracks. His contribution provided a fusion of reggae influences that enriched the album's diverse sound palette.

The album was produced by the legendary Nellee Hooper, who had previously worked with acts like Björk and Soul II Soul. His production brought a polished yet experimental vibe to the album, crafting it into a cornerstone of the trip-hop movement.

"Protection" was later accompanied by a "No Protection" remix album, released in 1995. This remix album was crafted by the Mad Professor, a well-known figure in the world of dub music, who deconstructed and reimagined the original tracks. The collaboration between Massive Attack and Mad Professor was groundbreaking in how it bridged electronic music with traditional dub, enticing a whole new audience into the world of remix culture.

Through its genre-blending approach and influential collaborations, "Protection" continues to hold its place as a crucial contribution to electronic and trip-hop music, leaving a lasting impact on both the genre and its listeners.