Massive Attack – Mezzanine

Can anyone tell me if this original vinyl pressing was a gatefold or not?

If you sell only the discs I’m a buyer I have the sleeve

Never seen a copy of the original pressing which is not off-centre on one side of the first disc and often the second as well. It is not audible on all copies but you cans see it. Ask sellers about this before purchase.

Am I tripping, or is there no listing for the Mezzanine spray paint can reissue from 2018? Did someone in the ivory tower decide it can't be sold on Discogs? Or was it a massive prank that I'm not hip to? Entirely possible.

I own this version since day one! The sound is deep, spacious and so hi-end, particularly the lows, which this album is known for!!! Your speakers and the way they are positioned in the room will be tested hard on Angel, Black Milk and Group Four!!!!

Is there anyone else here that would love it if they released some sort of proper 24bit-96kHz+ digital format? By 'proper' I mean with its full dynamic range (not like their 2012 mix/master of Blue lines, where the dynamics are squashed into a limiter, conversely). I wish there was a DVD-audio version. Or it could be an SACD...hell even the 20bit HDCD, with peak extension, might fair better than the vinyl pressings, at least in some regard, seeing how this album seems to be a "challenge" for the vinyl format, as one commenter noted. The female vocals suffer from sibilance...which are one of the most indispensable qualities of this album—Liz Frazer and Sara Jay—but that's not to discredit the other vocalists...every part of this album is indispensable; absolute masterpiece, and the pinnacle of the trip-hop genre, imo. Or if you don't like the term trip-hop—as nearly none of the associated artists seem to lol—it's at least a quintessential of 90s music in the general realm of hip-hop/electronic music.

It's just a masterpiece that stands the test of time, imo, and it's a shame that there doesn't seem to be a truly high quality version, when the vinyls all seem to suffer from sibilance—maybe others have had better luck, idk. It's very apparent on "Dissolved Girl," as soon as the vocals come in with "shame, s*s*such a shame". A DVD-audio or any of the others would put that to rest, while giving us that sweet, crispy, dynamic range...and yo, while you're at it...put a proper version of "Wire" on there somewhere, ffs! lol Not a just a remix...but the full studio version, with Sara Jay's vocals. I don't understand how that song didn't make it on the album, or just get released as some sort of B-side or something. Awesome track; very much Mezzanine vibes, and I know I'm not the only one clamoring for a truly quality version, mastered just like the rest of the album...or if not that, just the best full demo, sourced from the analogs.

If you agree, or think it's a good idea, please upvote, reply, or comment about it too, so maybe we could get some conversation going about it unless I'm alone here ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Referencing latest reissue, just restocked online. Vinyl has "made in germany" sticker on the shrink. 180g double disc. Purchased new.

To me, this release is mixed bag. I'm playing it using a vividline stylus that is an excellent high frequency tracker. To be sure, this album is very challenging material for the vinyl format; plenty of deep bass and also very crystalline highs, particularly on Elizabeth Frazer on "teardrop", but also on all the female vocalists featured on this album.

While this is a test for any system, IMO placing songs like "Tear Drop" at the end of a side is bad form, resulting in distortion that totally ruins the vibe on these delicate female vox songs. Increasing tracking force did not alleviate the issue either, it's the disc. Even at four sides, the IGD is still an issue and I think it would've been worth making it a three disc release for even better fidelity. Or, perhaps reordering the songs for better fidelity, although I'm not sure Massive Attack would've been ok with that.

That being said, the low bass is handled very well. "Man Next Door" is absolutely massive. The pressing is very quiet in between tracks.

Some mechanical issues; Side "A" groove is slightly off center, not causing audible issues, but frustrating. Sides B, C, D all fine. Vinyl also arrived slightly warped but that could've happened anywhere along the way, although I suspect the shrink wrapping to be the culprit. This is disappointing for a premium release. I'm wondering if I got a bad copy based on other reviews here, might try again. Still a wonderful album.

bought this record for £20 in Spitalfields Market in London years ago, thought the seller fuck me coz the labels on the records are orange with nothing written on it, (not like the picture here) I think I have a misprint more valuable i guess

Outstanding pressing from Germany. Best sound dynamic in my collection. Highly recommended.

My favourite album of all time.
However bought it twice now and both copies skip. Is there a particular serial number /year I need to buy to get that perfect sound. Not sure I can hear my favourite song Angel ruined by skipping again!