Shara's solo attack

What Silence Knows, Shara Nelson SHARA Nelson's debut solo album What Si lence Knows is something you should have - now. Wherever you are, look around for a record store. Change whatever arrangements you have for the next hour or so, cancel any trivial appointments; do whatever it takes to get it plugged in, and enjoy pure unadulterated vocal talent.

Let's start at the beginning. In 1991, four young singers, rappers and producers put out a low-key debut album; and started comparing themselves with Pink Floyd. Massive Attack, as they were known then, were of course nothing like Pink Floyd except that they built slow, moody and luxurious sound-scapes.

Massive Attack's album, Blue Lines trod a brave and lonely trail; and changed the face of British hip hop.

Shara Nelson was the singer who wailed soulfully throughout this original and eclectic mix of acerbic rap, soul and funk. Unfinished Sympathy, a track from the album that soared into British and American charts, was her only really solo effort on the album, and a stunning indication of her enormous talent.

Massive Attack, or Massive as they were to become, split under the strain of press attention amid bitterness and acrimony.

Shara Nelson is not Massive and doesn't pretend to be, but this is an outstanding album and defines a different direction for her and British soul music. Sounding like a young Aretha Franklin and at times Tina Turner in proud and resilient mode, Nelson is unleashed from the constraints of her role as the weepy woman among dry-eyed men.