Tricky (born Adrian Thaws) is an English producer and musician who is noted for a dark, rich and layered sound and a whispering lyrical style. Culturally, Tricky bridges white and black England, particularly in his fusion of rock and hip hop, high art and pop culture.

‘Murder Weapon’ is the brand new single to be taken from his forth coming ninth album, Mixed Race, which was recorded in Paris, where Tricky currently lives.

This single is a reworking of the classic dancehall hit, from Jamaican born Echo Minott, and keeps it true to the original. Upon first hearing this song, when someone sang it to him in a shop, Tricky has obsessed with it ever since and has been determined to see how it would sound with a female vocalist. Franky Riley, the Irish-Italian, has been touring with Tricky as his vocalist for the past two years so it seems only natural that she was enlisted for this role.

Starting off is Sinatra’s ‘I Did It My Way’ tune played out on a child’s musical box, this then cuts to the oh so familiar sound of ‘Murder Weapon’ but this time the deep soulful vocals of Riley kick in.

This is a mesmerising song and the vocals have turned it into a dark sultry tune laced with black velvet. Once again Tricky comes good with his own take on a truly great song. Superb.

9

Helena Rea