Shara Nelson
Encyclopedia
Shara Nelson is a British
singer and songwriter. She is notable for her work with the band Massive Attack
in the early 1990s, and for her solo career in which she garnered five UK Top 40 hit singles. Her 1993 debut album, What Silence Knows
, was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize.
", which was credited to Shara Nelson & The Circuit. She then released her debut solo single, "Can't Get Over You
", in 1986 under the name "Shara". In the late 1980s, she began working with the Bristol
-based DJ/production team The Wild Bunch
, who would later rename themselves as Massive Attack
.
" which was included on the group's debut album, Blue Lines
, in 1991. The single peaked at no.13 on the UK singles chart and has been widely critically acclaimed, particularly in polls conducted by MTV2
and NME
. A reviewer for the BBC
has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharach
or a melody by McCartney
." In total, Nelson co-wrote and provided vocals on four tracks on the Blue Lines album, including another hit single, "Safe From Harm" (UK #25). Nelson also recorded another track with Massive Attack entitled "Just A Matter of Time", which was exclusively included on a short film the group made of the same name.
In July 1993, Nelson restarted her solo career with the hit single "Down That Road
" which peaked at no.19 on the UK singles chart. The single was released on Cooltempo Records and both Paul Oakenfold
and Steve Osborne
were involved in remixing the track. Nelson's debut album, What Silence Knows
, was released in September 1993. It peaked at no.22 on the UK album chart, and was later certified Gold by the BPI
for sales in excess of 100,000 copies. Nelson co-wrote all of the songs on the album, which included co-writes with Prince Be of P.M. Dawn, and Saint Etienne
. Further singles from the album included "One Goodbye in Ten
" (UK #21), "Uptight
" (UK #19) and "Inside Out
" (UK #34).
The album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize
for Best Album in 1994. Also in 1994, Nelson was nominated for "Best British Female Solo Artist" and "Best British Breakthrough Act" at the Brit Awards
.
Nelson's second album, Friendly Fire
, was released in 1995, and contained the hit "Rough With The Smooth
" which peaked at no.30 in the UK. The album was less successful than her previous release, and peaked at no.44 in the UK. She was again nominated for "Best British Female Solo Artist" at the 1996 BRIT Awards
.
In 1997, Nelson contributed to Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project, performing the song "Moonraker" which had originally been sung by Shirley Bassey
.
In 1998, Nelson collaborated with Charles Webster
's Presence project and released the single "Sense of Danger" which peaked at no.61 in the UK singles chart. The track was included on the Presence album All Systems Gone which was released in early 1999, along with another track with Nelson on vocals entitled "Matter of Fact".
Also in 1999, Nelson collaborated with Air Cuba and released the single "Black Island
" on the 4AD
label. She also collaborated with the UK rapper Kasha
on the track "U
" which was released as a 12" single.
In 2003, Nelson collaborated with Adrian Sherwood
on the track "Hari Up Hari
", which was released as a 12" single. Sherwood was the founder of On-U Sound Records
which released Nelson's first record twenty years earlier. Also in 2003, Nelson collaborated with Futurasound on the track "Right Now
".
In 2004, Nelson released her first solo single since 1996, the song "Nobody Else".
Other tracks released around this time were Push Me Away with 10th Planet and Say My Name with Little Axe.
In December 2007, Nelson was featured on a new single by NUfrequency entitled "Go That Deep
", which included a remix by Charles Webster.
Several new tracks were posted on Nelson's official website, including "Promise to You", "Different" and "If".
Nelson is currently working on her third solo album which will have a 2012 release.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
singer and songwriter. She is notable for her work with the band Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
in the early 1990s, and for her solo career in which she garnered five UK Top 40 hit singles. Her 1993 debut album, What Silence Knows
What Silence Knows
What Silence Knows is the debut solo album by the British singer Shara Nelson. Released in September 1993, it peaked at no. 22 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 100,000 copies....
, was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize.
Early work
Nelson's first release was the 1983 single "Aiming At Your HeartAiming At Your Heart
"Aiming At Your Heart" is a song by The Circuit featuring Shara Nelson released as a single in 1983 on On-U Sound Records.-12" Vinyl Single:# Aiming At Your Heart # Aiming At Your Heart # Just As Long As We Have Love...
", which was credited to Shara Nelson & The Circuit. She then released her debut solo single, "Can't Get Over You
Can't Get Over You
"Can't Get Over You" is a 1989 single by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. The single was the first release the group had in almost three years, as well as being their debut release on the Warner Bros. Records label. "Can't Get Over You" was the group's second and final number one on the Hot Black...
", in 1986 under the name "Shara". In the late 1980s, she began working with the Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
-based DJ/production team The Wild Bunch
The Wild Bunch (sound system)
The Wild Bunch was a sound system based in the St Paul's district of Bristol, England from 1983 to 1986. The group was renowned for playing sets that drew large crowds from the club scene and had performed shows as far away as London. They performed in soundclashes against other Bristol sound...
, who would later rename themselves as Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
.
1990s
Nelson's first release with Massive Attack was the single "Daydreaming" in 1990. As well as providing vocals, Nelson also co-wrote songs with Massive Attack, including the hit single "Unfinished SympathyUnfinished Sympathy
"Unfinished Sympathy" is a song by English electronica group Massive Attack, from their debut album Blue Lines . The song was written collaboratively by the members of the group , with Jonathan "Jonny Dollar" Sharp and Shara Nelson, the latter providing lead vocals for the song...
" which was included on the group's debut album, Blue Lines
Blue Lines
-Personnel:* All tracks produced and mixed by Massive Attack, Cameron McVey and Jonny Dollar.** Robert "3D" Del Naja: vocals - keyboards** Grantley "Daddy G" Marshall: vocals** Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles: keyboards# "Safe from Harm"#* Shara Nelson: vocals...
, in 1991. The single peaked at no.13 on the UK singles chart and has been widely critically acclaimed, particularly in polls conducted by MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
and NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
. A reviewer for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
or a melody by McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
." In total, Nelson co-wrote and provided vocals on four tracks on the Blue Lines album, including another hit single, "Safe From Harm" (UK #25). Nelson also recorded another track with Massive Attack entitled "Just A Matter of Time", which was exclusively included on a short film the group made of the same name.
In July 1993, Nelson restarted her solo career with the hit single "Down That Road
Down That Road
"Down That Road" is the debut single from Shara Nelson's first solo album What Silence Knows released in 1993 on Cooltempo Records.-UK CD Single #7243 8 80730 2 8:# Down That Road 3:47# Down That Road 4:37...
" which peaked at no.19 on the UK singles chart. The single was released on Cooltempo Records and both Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
and Steve Osborne
Steve Osborne
Steve Osborne is a multi-platinum selling British record producer. He has worked with a wide variety of musicians, such as New Order, Doves, U2 and KT Tunstall. During the 1990s, Osborne was half of the Perfecto Records team, a production and remix collaboration with Paul Oakenfold; the artists...
were involved in remixing the track. Nelson's debut album, What Silence Knows
What Silence Knows
What Silence Knows is the debut solo album by the British singer Shara Nelson. Released in September 1993, it peaked at no. 22 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 100,000 copies....
, was released in September 1993. It peaked at no.22 on the UK album chart, and was later certified Gold by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
for sales in excess of 100,000 copies. Nelson co-wrote all of the songs on the album, which included co-writes with Prince Be of P.M. Dawn, and Saint Etienne
Saint Etienne (band)
Saint Etienne are an English Pop group comprising Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. They are named after the French football team AS Saint-Étienne.-History:Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs were childhood friends and former music journalists...
. Further singles from the album included "One Goodbye in Ten
One Goodbye in Ten
"One Goodbye in Ten" is the second single from Shara Nelson's first solo album What Silence Knows. It was released in 1993 on Cooltempo Records.-UK CD Single #7243 8 80884 2 8:# One Goodbye in Ten 4:09...
" (UK #21), "Uptight
Uptight (Shara Nelson song)
"Uptight" is the fourth single from Shara Nelson's first solo album What Silence Knows. It was released in 1994 on Cooltempo Records.-UK CD Single #7243 8 81184 2 2:# Uptight 4:30# Uptight 7:05...
" (UK #19) and "Inside Out
Inside Out (Shara Nelson song)
"Indie Out" is the third single from Shara Nelson's first solo album What Silence Knows. It was released in 1993 on Cooltempo Records. There was also a two CD set of a remix single "Inside Out/Down That Road [Remix]" released in 1994....
" (UK #34).
The album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize
Mercury Prize
The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize and currently known as the Barclaycard Mercury Prize for sponsorship reasons, is an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established by the British Phonographic Industry and British...
for Best Album in 1994. Also in 1994, Nelson was nominated for "Best British Female Solo Artist" and "Best British Breakthrough Act" at the Brit Awards
1994 BRIT Awards
The 1994 BRIT Awards were the 14th edition of the biggest annual pop music awards in the United Kingdom. They are run by the British Phonographic Industry and took place on 14th February 1994 at Alexandra Palace in London.-Live performers:...
.
Nelson's second album, Friendly Fire
Friendly Fire (Shara Nelson album)
Friendly Fire is the second solo album by the British singer/songwriter Shara Nelson, released in 1995 on Cooltempo Records.The album contains Nelson's UK Top 30 hit, "Rough with the Smooth".- Track listing :# Rough with the Smooth# Moving On# Poetry...
, was released in 1995, and contained the hit "Rough With The Smooth
Rough with the Smooth
"Rough with the Smooth" is a song by the British singer Shara Nelson. It was the first single released from her second solo album Friendly Fire in 1995...
" which peaked at no.30 in the UK. The album was less successful than her previous release, and peaked at no.44 in the UK. She was again nominated for "Best British Female Solo Artist" at the 1996 BRIT Awards
1996 BRIT Awards
The 1996 BRIT Awards were the 16th edition of the biggest annual pop music awards in the United Kingdom. They are run by the British Phonographic Industry and took place on 19th February 1996 at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London.-Live performers:...
.
In 1997, Nelson contributed to Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project, performing the song "Moonraker" which had originally been sung by Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
.
In 1998, Nelson collaborated with Charles Webster
Charles Webster (musician)
Charles Webster is an electronic musician from Sheffield, England, who specialises in producing house music. As well as releasing music under his own name, Webster has also worked under various monikers, including Furry Phreaks, Presence, and Megatonk...
's Presence project and released the single "Sense of Danger" which peaked at no.61 in the UK singles chart. The track was included on the Presence album All Systems Gone which was released in early 1999, along with another track with Nelson on vocals entitled "Matter of Fact".
Also in 1999, Nelson collaborated with Air Cuba and released the single "Black Island
Black Island (song)
"Black Island" is a song by Cuba with vocals by Shara Nelson released as a single in 1999 on 4AD.-UK CD Single:# Black Island 4:01# Black Island 5:50# Black Island 7:46...
" on the 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
label. She also collaborated with the UK rapper Kasha
Kasha
Kasha is a cereal commonly eaten in Eastern Europe. In English, kasha generally refers to buckwheat groats, but in Slavic countries, kasha refers to porridge in general and can be made from any cereal, especially buckwheat, wheat, barley, oats, millet, and rye...
on the track "U
U (Kasha & Shara Nelson song)
"U" is a song by Kasha and Shara Nelson released as a 12" single in 1999 on Botchit & Scarper....
" which was released as a 12" single.
2000s
In 2002, Nelson released a track entitled "Realise", which was remixed and included on the mix compilation album 4 Vini: Forever Young.In 2003, Nelson collaborated with Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music as well as for remixing a number of popular acts such as Coldcut, Depeche Mode, The Woodentops, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, and Skinny Puppy...
on the track "Hari Up Hari
Hari Up Hari
"Hari Up Hari" is a song by Adrian Sherwood featuring vocals by Shara Nelson released as a 12" single in 2003 on Real World Records.-12" Single:# Hari Up Hari 3:46# The Ignorant Version 4:49...
", which was released as a 12" single. Sherwood was the founder of On-U Sound Records
On-U Sound Records
On-U Sound Records is an English record label best known for releasing its own unique flavour of dub music since the 1980s. The label is owned by producer Adrian Sherwood and home to acts such as Tackhead, Dub Syndicate, African Head Charge, The London Underground, Little Annie, Creation Rebel,...
which released Nelson's first record twenty years earlier. Also in 2003, Nelson collaborated with Futurasound on the track "Right Now
Right Now (Futurasound song)
"Right Now" is a song by Futurasound with vocals by Shara Nelson released as a single in 2003.-CD Single:# Right Now 6:26# Right Now 4:16# Right Now 5:01...
".
In 2004, Nelson released her first solo single since 1996, the song "Nobody Else".
Other tracks released around this time were Push Me Away with 10th Planet and Say My Name with Little Axe.
In December 2007, Nelson was featured on a new single by NUfrequency entitled "Go That Deep
Go That Deep
"Go That Deep" is a song by NUfrequency featuring Shara Nelson released as a single in 2008 on NRK Sound Division in the UK, Spinnin' Records in the Netherlands and on Rebirth in Italy.-12" Vinyl Single [Part 1], NRK Sound Division:...
", which included a remix by Charles Webster.
Several new tracks were posted on Nelson's official website, including "Promise to You", "Different" and "If".
Nelson is currently working on her third solo album which will have a 2012 release.
Discography
Studio albums:- 1991: Blue LinesBlue Lines-Personnel:* All tracks produced and mixed by Massive Attack, Cameron McVey and Jonny Dollar.** Robert "3D" Del Naja: vocals - keyboards** Grantley "Daddy G" Marshall: vocals** Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles: keyboards# "Safe from Harm"#* Shara Nelson: vocals...
with Massive AttackMassive AttackMassive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
(UK #13) - 1993: What Silence KnowsWhat Silence KnowsWhat Silence Knows is the debut solo album by the British singer Shara Nelson. Released in September 1993, it peaked at no. 22 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 100,000 copies....
(UK #22) - 1995: Friendly FireFriendly Fire (Shara Nelson album)Friendly Fire is the second solo album by the British singer/songwriter Shara Nelson, released in 1995 on Cooltempo Records.The album contains Nelson's UK Top 30 hit, "Rough with the Smooth".- Track listing :# Rough with the Smooth# Moving On# Poetry...
(UK #44)
Awards/Nominations
- 1994: Nominated for Mercury Music Prize (Best Album - What Silence Knows)
- 1994: Nominated for BRIT Award ("Best British Female Solo Artist" and "Best British Breakthrough Act")
- 1996: Nominated for BRIT Award ("Best British Female Solo Artist")
External links
- Official website
- [ Allmusic profile]