Forever Faithless: The Greatest Hits [Sony]

Personnel: Maxi Jazz (vocals, rap vocals); Pauline Taylor (vocals, background vocals); Jamie Catto, Nina Simone (vocals); Sister Bliss (strings, piano, keyboards, programming); Gavyn Wright (strings); Mark Bates (keyboards, drums); Aubrey Nunn (bass guitar); Ibi Tijani (drums, programming); Andy Treacey (drums); Sudha (percussion); Grippa (programming); Pete Miser (scratches); Rachael Brown, Dido (background vocals); Matty Benbrook, Martin McCory, Franz Job, Ian Dury, Mr. V, P-Nut, Rollo , LSK, Paulie.
Audio Mixers: Dave Dunham; Goetz; Grippa; Mike Hedges; Phill Brown; Rollo ; Sister Bliss; Ash Howes.
Editor: Mark Bates.
Photographers: Simon Emmett; Ellis Parrinder.
Faithless is to house what Massive Attack is to trip-hop--that is, both acts expand the boundaries of their respective styles while creating a fascinatingly dark atmosphere. Formed in London during the mid-1990s, Faithless is, at its core, producers Rollo and Sister Bliss, with rapper/vocalist Maxi Jazz fronting the group. The FOREVER FAITHLESS collection cherry-picks from the ensemble's 1996-2005 catalogue, mixing tracks in a non-chronological order that showcases the band's consistency. "Insomnia," one of Faithless's biggest club hits, kicks off the set with its pulsing house beats and ominous synth lines. Other highlights include the dramatic dance-floor epic "Salva Mea," the Nina Simone-sampling "I Want More," and the dreamy "One Step Too Far," which features the ethereal vocals of Dido, who got her start as a backing singer for Faithless (and is Rollo's sister). Listeners seeking an excellent introduction to this influential group should look no further than FOREVER FAITHLESS.