"Unfinished Sympathy" is, for me, their most affecting song. After more than a decade of listening to it, it never seems to get old. And that's quite a feat. For me, the recent track off their best of, "Live With Me", is similarly affecting. As far as albums go, I'd agree that "Mezzanine" is their most accomplished work. I do enjoy all of their albums immensely, though, even the much maligned solo effort by Del Naja, "1ooth Window".

I have heard that there will be a collaboration with Tom Waits on the new album which, if true, would be a melding two of my favourite artists/bands.

100th window is not a solo album. It may well as be but it was mainly Del Naja but Neil Davidge had a huge input on the album. There are some moments of great quality though. Everywhen is a fantastic track.

Mezzanine is a killer album, and so's Blue Lines (by my reckoning). My favourite between those two changes on pretty much a daily basis. Top bunch, can't wait for the new album (especially if Tom Waits is gonna pop up on it).

Neil Davidge was the co-producer, along with Del Naja. In terms of the core band, collective, or however they would be designated, by which I mean the public face of Massive Attack, originally Del Naja, Vowles and Marshall, Del Naja is the only one who appears on "100th window".

It might be argued that Del Naja has always been the brains behind Massive Attack, in which case Massive Attack is essentially Del Naja, other than the various producers he has worked with over the years, but the band's public image was originally formed by the three of them (and, of course, "guest vocalists" like Shara Nelson on "Unfinished Sympathy" and "Safe From Harm" and Tracey Thorn on "Protection").

I almost forgot that Tricky was involved with Blue Lines and Protection, early on in Massive Attack's career.

Massive Attack have always worked as a collective to be fair.

To me, Del Naja, although obviously brilliant at what he does, comes across as a rather cold and alienting figure. I think that the warmth of Blue Lines and Protection were especially helped by the presence of Vowles and Marshall. "Mezzanine", on which Del Naja's influence is pronounced, is much darker than the previous albums (although it is universally acclaimed, and rightly so). "100th Window" is positively icy, and moves away decisively away from Massive Attack's early hip-hop influences. It is, in my opinion, rather unwelcoming, which I take to be a sign of the absence of the other two core members. (It is still better than most other music out there, though.)

I have afriend who knows him and I won't elaborate but sounds familiar!

Is there any news circulating with regard to the new album, which is (apparently) scheduled for release in June/July, further delays notwithstanding?

Love massive attack.
Mezzanine is my favourite, bit tunes like Unfinished Sympathy and Safe from Harm really stand out on Blue Lines

I've heard nothing on the new album front unfortunately. A Tom waits collaboration would be amazin though!

A Tom Waits collaboration would be immense. David Bowie and Mike Patton are being rumoured as guest vocalists for the new album as well. If only eh.