Happy birthday gorgeous, generational, unforgettable song!
Released on 20 March 1995 as a single with this cover, drawn by Massive Attack's co-founder, rapper, lyricist and artist 3D Del Naja:
Here is the official music video:
Massive Attack - 'Karmacoma'
A few words from my book - chapter 7:
‘Karmacoma’: Jamaica ‘n’ Roma
One of the defining moments of the album’s composition came with a song that 3D and Tricky wrote. ‘Karmacoma’ became the album’s second track and third single. Based on a rap between the two voices, an Indian rhythm and the sample from the Insects, ‘Karmacoma’ has a very oriental feel, coming from the use of other samples from Russian and various type of Asian music.
The chorus samples Alexander Borodin’s opera, Prince Igor,
specifically an extract from the ‘Polovtsian Dances’ in the second act. Another sample comes from a piece of Mongolian diphonic throat singing called a “Khoomei”, of its harmonic part, used in ‘Dream Time in Lake Jackson’ by British acid house band the KLF on their album Chill Out. The rhythm of the ‘Karmacoma’ introduction comes from the beginning of an Indian song named ‘Aaja Sajan Aaja’, sung by Alka Yagnik and written for the Bollywood film Khal Nayak, in 1993. These Eastern inspirations would grow with Massive Attack’s first visit to Istanbul in 1996 during a world tour… The song’s bassline also samples a section of French singer Serge Gainsbourg’s song ‘Melody’, from his concept album Histoire de Melody Nelson, released in 1971.
Already, ‘Karmacoma’ brought a new direction to the album,
different from the songs written with Tracey Thorn. Intriguing and
mysterious both in its sound and its lyrics, the track is a play on word on 3D and Tricky’s origins, from Italy and Jamaica. And their cohabitation was more of a continuous effect of their personality clash than a smooth endeavour.
(...)
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More in my book: Massive Attack: Out Of The Comfort Zone
Kindle version: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Massive-Attack-Out-Comfort-Zone-ebook/dp/B07P5PF8RJ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
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Other versions:
'Karmacoma' (Unkle Situation)
'Karmacoma' (Portishead Experience)
'Bumber Ball Dub' (by Mad Professor)
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