Tricky - the dark prince of triphop, returns with a new album in the company of great guests! Skilled Mechanics was created together with Bristol scene veteran DJ Milo (The Wild Bunch or pre-Massive Attack) and Luke Harris. The disc is graced by outstanding female voices - Francesca Bellmonte, Ivy or Oh Land. The title of the album "Skilled Mechanics", Tricky took from a movie about spies: "I watched a documentary about a CIA agent that talked about killers sent out into the world to inspire revolutions and overthrow governments. They were called "skilled mechanics." I thought that was a great name: dark and cynical. " "Skilled Mechanics" is also a sign of Tricky's new group and at the same time his perverse response to the accusations that he is hiding behind singing women in the studio and on stage. On the new album, he takes the microphone more often, although of course there were also talented guests. Simply Tricky as a leader wanted to create a platform for collaboration with various musicians. "The last time I was on stage as a solo singer was over 20 years ago, even before" Maxinquaye ". It is a big challenge for me, ”he admits. It is no coincidence that Tricky remembers the times when he recorded and performed as one of the frontmen of Massive Attack - even in the legendary track "Karmacoma". The new work can be considered his return to his trip-hop roots. This is a real stoned "Bristol Sound". DJ Mylo - Tricky's friend from school and one of the founders of the legendary collective The Wild Bunch, which was also created by Robert Del Naja - 3D, Mushroom and Daddy G from Massive Attack, has a huge share in the creation of the album. “As eight-year-olds Milo and I lived with my aunt (...) At 16, Milo already played with The Wild Bunch and it was he who got me into this gang. We rehearsed and partyed at Daddy G's house from Massive Attack, ”recalls Tricky. The creator of "Maxinquaye" admits that for years they have been thinking about a joint project that would reflect their fascination with soul music, hip hop, dub vibrations, and the richness of street soundsystem sounds. "Skilled Mechanics" is a retreat from the heavy rock sounds that could be heard at the Englishman's concerts. Although, paradoxically, the album includes two covers from the rock canon - the composition of Corey Taylor known from Slipknot "Bother", performed by Luke Harris and the beautiful song "Diving Away" based on the melody of "Porpoise Head" by Porno For Pyros, by the Perry group 'ego Farrell (also Jane's Addiction) with whom Tricky toured years ago. The new album, however, is primarily electronic sound, hypnotic groove, rhythm and lyrical darkness, which refer directly to the sounds of the 90s. It is enough to listen to the excellent "How's Your Life" or "Necessary", which could boldly hit on "Maxinquaye" or "Nearly God". The first testimony to this transformation was the excellent single "Beijing To Berlin," featuring Chinese rapper Ivy. The song "Boy" is kept in a similar aesthetic - perhaps the most personal one in the British career. In it, Tricky recalls the traumas of his childhood - the suicidal death of his mother and the first meeting with his father. It is a dark, lyrical piece, and at the same time extremely vital, like the whole album. For Tricky, creativity is a vital necessity, a passion, but also a kind of public purification. Although each of his works, from the classic items from the 90s "Maxinquaye" or "Pre-Millenium Tension", to the excellent "Knowle West Boy" and "Mixed Race", brings an extremely intense mixture of sounds, "Skilled Mechanics" promises to be especially exciting. After 20 years of a solo career, one of the most fascinating figures of the British scene returns with material and a new band directly referring to the sound of Bristol street. The artist, with new musicians, will promote the album's release in Poland with three concerts at the beginning of February. Tracklisting: 'I'm Not Going' (featuring Oh Land) 'Hero' (featuring Ann Dao) 'Don't Go' 'Beijing To Berlin' (featuring Ivy 艾菲) 'Diving Away' 'Boy' 'Bother' 'How's Your Life' 'Here My Dear' 'We Begin' (featuring Francesca Belmonte) 'Well' 'Necessary' 'Unreal' (featuring Xdare)