Collected - The Best Of Massive Attack : Greatest Hits

The group who single-handedly created the woozy, sexual, cinematic, and meditative dance genre known as trip-hop with their 1991 masterpiece Blue Lines later went on to craft gorgeous soundtrack music and generally emerge as one of the most forward-thinking, fastidious, and s-l-o-w production teams in pop music. Collected, a best-of compilation straddling the group's career, is the kind of record that reeks "contractual obligation," but that's not meant as a diss. If a kick-ass collection like this is what it takes for this heady group to keep the record execs happy while they slowly hone a new album, so be it. Much of the older tunes sound remarkably contemporary, which isn't surprising when you consider Massive Attack have always mixed styles in radical, new ways. The one new tune included to entice die-hard fans, the slowly percolating and deeply bluesy "Live With Me," is what soul music will sound like in the future. --Mike McGonigal

After a three-year hiatus, Massive Attack's sole survivor, Robert '3D' Del Naja has skimmed the cream off their four albums for Collected, a medley of musical mastery.

This 'Best Of' launches with 1991's "Safe From Harm", featuring Shara Nelson's emotionally-charged delivery which pulls on the heart-strings and sets the quality bar for the next 13 songs.

The band unfurl their armoury of chilled beats, dub-drenched basslines, shimmering vocals and brooding strings, reminding you of just how influential the Bristol trio have been on down-tempo music in the UK.

With gems including "Teardrop", "Inertia Creeps", "Protection" and "Unfinished Sympathy", Collected is an ear-pricking panorama of the '90s. A hint at the band's future direction comes with the bonus track "Live With Me", which boasts the soulful talents of Terry Callier.

This is a compilation to cherish - one where you can leave the skip button untouched. --Jack Smith

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With their critically acclaimed albums clocking up millions of sales worldwide, a clutch of awards and a new album due for release in early 2007, the time felt right for a Massive Attack "Best Of", an apt reminder of their musical legacy to date. The album is entitled Collected and features all their key tracks and the new single "Live With Me" which features Terry Callier on vocals.