Dummy

Almost 20 years since the release of this little wonder in October 1994. It's not really an upgrade! The album has not aged and still seems precursor at the time of entry to the public. All titles are in fact become classics of the genre trip hop, thanks to the talent of composer and creator of innovative sound loops Geoff Barrow and inimitably fragile and delicate voice of Beth Gibbons. A voice that will not forget any time soon, that's for sure ... It's really hard to put a title before so all is homogeneous and quality. Dummy has achieved the perfect combination of aesthetic and emotional pleasure. The electronic experimentation is not seen as an end in itself, but aims instead to browse the full range of emotions it is possible for a human being normally made of felt, anger on "Mysterons" tenderness on " It's a Fire "contained on suffering" Pedestal ".

Then, the album helped popularize a genre born in 1991 in the bohemian and rainy city of Bristol trip hop! The term "trip hop" is created in 1994 by an editor of Mixmag magazine, abbreviated "Abstract of hip hop." Since it refers to a genus such as the dominant instrumental jazz - blues - rock - soul and dub particular. Which runs on a melancholy music throbbing rhythms accented by vintage keyboards that some do not hesitate to describe as depressing.

Portishead control such perfection "Roads" and "It Could Be Sweet" are the most convincing examples, giving free rein to emotion, but without excess. Certainly Dummy squeezes the heart, but it also raises the spirit. While downbeats Geoff Barrow interspersed with scratches and samples "Wandering Star" and the guitars of Adrian Utley (co-author of eight titles on this album) make us switch into lethargy or draw us to the heights, the voice beautiful Beth Gibbons, she takes us to the heights of musical seventh heaven with "Sour Times" and "Glory Box". With this first album, Portishead is becoming a founder and iconic group of young movement trip hop then. Despite the timidity of the group with regard to the press, the album was a musical success, both in Europe and the United States. The British press Dummy elected as album of the year. The trio received in 1995 the coveted Mercury Music Prize.