Track Deconstruction: Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy @ Ableton Loop, Berlin

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  • Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
  • Watch as our lead course developer Ski Oakenfull recreates Massive Attack's seminal 1991 hit 'Unfinished Sympathy' from the ground up. Get loads more deconstructions and full tuition in Music Production with one of our courses online. Find out more info here :: bit.ly/2sXlAfW
    Point Blank is The Global Music School, with courses in London, Los Angeles, Ibiza, Mumbai and Online. Voted 'Best Electronic Music School' by DJ Mag, you can learn music production, sound engineering, DJ'ing and much more via our online courses or in our state-of-the-art studios:: www.pointblankm...

Комментарии • 606

  • @kiely4561
    @kiely4561 2 года назад +7

    That bell collecting dust in your parents kitchen for decades finally had its time to shine lol

  • @bridgetbunny123
    @bridgetbunny123 5 лет назад +62

    Unfinished Sympathy finally getting the respect it deserves. Wow, his version is SO close to the original! One of my favorite pieces of music ever.

    • @Borat808
      @Borat808 2 года назад +2

      What in your opinion would have helped to get it the respect it deserves somewhat earlier? 😉
      Glad you at least didn't come up with the usual underated-blahblah.

    • @palaHD
      @palaHD Год назад +2

      this track has been highly respected since the day it came out

  • @johnsummers9660
    @johnsummers9660 6 лет назад +384

    I think it's safe to say that Blue Lines, No Protection and Mezzanine are all classics at this point.

    • @dazdavison1
      @dazdavison1 6 лет назад +20

      John Summers dont forget heligoland amazing album thats seriously underrated! I would say its second to mexzanine, bit nothing touches mezzanine.

    • @k-leb4671
      @k-leb4671 6 лет назад +6

      Daz Dee
      Heligoland has been my favorite since it dropped.

    • @vladimirukrainian2268
      @vladimirukrainian2268 6 лет назад +6

      100th window - best album MA

    • @ScantSquad
      @ScantSquad 6 лет назад +7

      Also 100th window with sinead's vocals

    • @AKAtAGG
      @AKAtAGG 5 лет назад +19

      Mezzanine came out on the exact same day as Boards of Canada's Music Has the Right to Children. Has there ever been two albums of that level that came out at the exact same time? Doubt it.

  • @pegasvsmusic
    @pegasvsmusic 6 лет назад +155

    26 years old, and that song still brings tears in my eyes each time I listen... The strings. It's all about the strings. Great tune. Great deconstruction. Thank you v much.

    • @primitivo4604
      @primitivo4604 5 лет назад

      ruclips.net/video/TyT77_NnJr8/видео.html

    • @k-leb4671
      @k-leb4671 4 года назад +1

      Those strings are the jewel in the crown of Blue Lines. Whoever composed the string chords (I think it was Mushroom but don't quote me on that) and Will Malone (arranger and conductor of the orchestra) are the reason why Blue Lines is one of the most seminal albums of all time.

    • @ukaszm.3859
      @ukaszm.3859 3 года назад +2

      43 here. Same tears.

    • @iraklismoschonas5214
      @iraklismoschonas5214 2 года назад +1

      It’s all about the strings AND the vocals. The vocals bring so much emotion to the track.

    • @myriaddsystems
      @myriaddsystems 2 года назад

      A lot of tunes do that to me - even more so as time goes on - and I'm sixty now 😆

  • @Padsock
    @Padsock 6 лет назад +113

    My buddy Andy Montgomery and Q were two of the 'Jr slave uncredited' engineers and programmers at Matrix on this track, I recall clearly the day when Monty came home from working on the strings for the Wild Bunch excited with whatever they had completed and he played me a DAT of just the strings, i was happy he as happy with what had happened, but it was just strings with no context. A few months later I got the demo of the full album from Paul Rump when I was doing some AR at Island and I was blown away, this would be in the summer of 89 (I think) and it still took 2 more years before it comes out.

    • @skioakenfull
      @skioakenfull 6 лет назад +5

      Wow, thanks so much for the story. What a privilege it must be to have been involved in such an amazing piece of music!

    • @TheBirdBrothers
      @TheBirdBrothers 5 лет назад

      Wow that must have been amazing!! Do you happen to know where the sample is from for the tympani/percussion part?

    • @k-leb4671
      @k-leb4671 4 года назад +2

      Wait, Blue Lines had a demo in 1989? I've never heard of that before.
      Also I would kill to hear the strings on their own. I want that DAT.

    • @Padsock
      @Padsock 4 года назад +1

      @@TheBirdBrothers only took me 11 months to respond, my apologies. Sorry I have no idea.

    • @Padsock
      @Padsock 4 года назад +14

      So I met Cameron McVey (Neneh Cherry’s hubby) at Glastonbury last summer, we were reminiscing about that Blue Lines sessions at Matrix, I mentioned Monty and Q and how I got first introduced to Massive Attack, we spoke about those strings and I can’t remember what he said about how they came to be however I told him I had the demos, which he corrected me on and said that what I had was probably a set of promo mixes from Circa and that he has the all demos which are safely guarded and not for public consumption. I think they were all done at his home studio. Cameron and Neneh bank rolled MA (And Portishead) and mentored them both through those early days. He was a really cool dude. I spent a few hours hanging out with him, Fourtet and Neneh, she is such an amazing person, I felt I was in the presence of greatness and I whispered in her ear as we departed “ you are my queen,” and I felt so humbled and thankful for the time I spent with them both and I’m sure we will meet again soon as my bestie is now her agent.

  • @EvilEddtheRed
    @EvilEddtheRed 6 лет назад +49

    That rare thing: a highly technical and analytical deconstruction, that's still inspirational.

  • @diddydavidz
    @diddydavidz 4 года назад +6

    Ski Oakenfull is so talented to sample this completely live and then perform it afterwards. Absolutely blown away this has made my day.

  • @chrclmnky
    @chrclmnky 7 лет назад +249

    The best 36 minutes and 45 seconds I have spent all my life.

    • @pointblankmusicschool
      @pointblankmusicschool  7 лет назад +22

      thats some high praise!

    • @YaGenezis
      @YaGenezis 6 лет назад +17

      your girl just said the same to me )

    • @realfacthunt
      @realfacthunt 6 лет назад +10

      You need to get a decent fuck under your belt.

    • @_AJH_
      @_AJH_ 6 лет назад +3

      I just stumbled across this while working on an assignment. This is amazing and one of my favourite songs of all time. Maybe not the best but it's certainly up there.

    • @Barney-ii1no
      @Barney-ii1no 6 лет назад

      wow

  • @emulus7871
    @emulus7871 6 лет назад +10

    I'm not a music student, just a fan of good music and an interest in how things are made. This video was truly fascinating and the way he puts it all together is amazing

  • @diyhell8712
    @diyhell8712 4 года назад +3

    I'm impressed: deconstructing in front of a live audience!

  • @bristolfashion4421
    @bristolfashion4421 Месяц назад +1

    Possibly the most drop dead gorgeous slow number pop music has ever produced… sublime. Nice work, everybody 😊

  • @ToxicSapien
    @ToxicSapien Год назад +3

    MAD enough to emulate it; to compose it over 30 years ago - genius. Easily one of my favourite works of music. Haunting.

  • @spu77
    @spu77 6 лет назад +166

    Summer of 1996, had the chance to see Massive Attack live in concert here in Thessaloniki, Greece. The DJ actually scratched the "Hey hey" section in real time!

    • @bogey
      @bogey 6 лет назад +9

      I'm from England and a big part of my family is from Thessaloniki!

    • @video2000_TV
      @video2000_TV 5 лет назад +7

      hopefully without the snare ;)

    • @k-leb4671
      @k-leb4671 4 года назад +2

      Who was the DJ? Mushroom?

    • @spu77
      @spu77 4 года назад +1

      @@k-leb4671 can't tell for sure. But he got the scratch real close to the album version.

    • @isidore.mp4
      @isidore.mp4 2 месяца назад

      Daddy G still does this live all be it with a CDJ instead of a turntable

  • @agrelista
    @agrelista 6 лет назад +10

    Ski mate how are you great tutorial this is John that was hanging out with you Snaiith , Steve and Rob when I was living in Seattle and Snaith and Steve told me come to the Bay Area of San Francisco in the late 90's and you Galliano were on tour. I'm glad to see you passing your skills to the youth of today. God I really miss you and all my friends in the UK and London.Good to see that positive attitude and humbleness of yours. I always remember you telling me when Was I going to move back to the UK. Thank you for being who you are and keep reaching for the stars mate. It's good to see a familiar face from my youth on you tube.

  • @wadewilliams1892
    @wadewilliams1892 7 лет назад +36

    As a student of Point Blank I am fortunate enough to see the team making these videos - I am very fortunate

  • @marcosilver
    @marcosilver 5 лет назад +2

    FANTASTIC a perfect way to show new music makers the Art of painting pictures with sound

  • @jpa_fasty3997
    @jpa_fasty3997 4 года назад +6

    That vocal acapella is absolute magic from your friend.

    • @keyserpapa
      @keyserpapa 4 года назад +1

      No wonder, she is not just "a" friend: the vocals are by Valerie Etienne, one of my favourite singers ever. www.discogs.com/artist/5954-Valerie-Etienne?type=Credits&subtype=Vocals&filter_anv=0

  • @sethtaylor7519
    @sethtaylor7519 7 лет назад +4

    Thanks for letting those of us who couldn't be there to see it live feel apart of the event! Love these deconstructions too.

  • @TommyUrbanskiDJ
    @TommyUrbanskiDJ 7 лет назад +8

    My favourite track of all times! 🙌🏻❤️
    Listened tens of thousands of times and still can’t get enough of it ✌🏻

  • @Proxima04
    @Proxima04 5 лет назад +1

    10 Samples in and some strings and the sound is full and the breaks are fitting in perfectly, a lesson in how to get a groove and melody working without a ton of effects and edits. Superb thank you for the lesson.

  • @emulus4000
    @emulus4000 3 года назад +5

    I always love the fact that TOTP was never live but they always got some instruments on stage

  • @shanemac
    @shanemac 5 лет назад +4

    Remember hearing this tune for the first time as a teen and it simply changed me musically. Watching you deconstruct it genuinely made me smile my tits off and I clapped at the end like I was in the audience amazing job fella AAA+++

    • @bernii4515
      @bernii4515 5 лет назад +1

      got no tits but if, me propably ,too

  • @MoniVargas
    @MoniVargas 10 месяцев назад

    This is beyond impressive. I love Ski Oakenfull's own tracks & have played them for years but THIS is major. Not only because this track is one of my all time faves but to see this unfold so beautifully & tightly - is mind blowing. Very emotional watching it & can't wipe the smile off my face. LOVE!

  • @rjbush7955
    @rjbush7955 7 лет назад +8

    Another cracking deconstruction by Ski. I've watched many of these over the years and Ski has not done a duff one yet. Always stays true to the original with the sounds.

  • @RichardFarley_
    @RichardFarley_ 7 лет назад +3

    Blows me away what someone with talent and skill can do in

    • @spinachisnice
      @spinachisnice 5 лет назад +2

      Plus the other 80 hours he spent researching and putting it all together

  • @EinzigfreierName
    @EinzigfreierName 4 года назад +6

    This song is a true masterpiece and one of my all time favourites. Still remember the time when the video was on MTV's heavy rotation :)

  • @SKShlomo
    @SKShlomo 7 лет назад +13

    so pleased i found this because I was sad to miss it at loop :) so informative, big ups Ski

  • @consultoz
    @consultoz 6 лет назад +1

    This is absolutely legendary Ski. This is one of the most exceptional musical production lessons I've ever witnessed. Brilliant

  • @electronash
    @electronash 6 лет назад +16

    Wow - Ski definitely earns his money on this one.
    I love how all of the elements are kept under wraps until the last moment, too.
    Excellent vid, tutor, and tune.

  • @TheWinterShadow
    @TheWinterShadow 6 лет назад +26

    One of the best videos I have ever stumbled across in my life. Thank you.

  • @damiensmith371
    @damiensmith371 7 лет назад +8

    Epic job as always Ski. One of my old time fav tracks here and beautiful to see how you broke it all down like you did in the time you did. Thank you! And of course big up Massive Attack for creating such a classic.

  • @outofworkactor3033
    @outofworkactor3033 3 года назад

    Just loved this. Geeked right out on it.

  • @loontil
    @loontil 7 лет назад +5

    SO good... 've watched a few o yr deconstructions, but this one blew me away. One of my favourite songs, not murdered.

  • @ronrobins3513
    @ronrobins3513 7 лет назад +15

    Thanks Ski this was fantastic!!! This record (Blue Lines)was definitely one of my favs from the 90's and possibly all time

  • @vvlvmusic
    @vvlvmusic 7 лет назад +31

    Probably my favorite deconstruction so far. Brilliant, loved the informational tidbits.

  • @cosmojonesmusic
    @cosmojonesmusic 5 лет назад +1

    Nice job, man. I enjoyed that.

  • @djlager
    @djlager 7 лет назад +17

    The best deconstruction by far, love these videos. I learn more from these than i do university

  • @alsosean
    @alsosean 5 лет назад +8

    Love these deconstructions! Such a great way to learn how to use music software and instruments. Huge thx!!!

  • @mehtavideo
    @mehtavideo 4 года назад

    Summer 91, Blue Lines, Lava lamp, candles and the rest is...private! Wonderful work point blank 👏👏👏

  • @-MacCat-
    @-MacCat- 4 года назад

    " ..... for those that don't, GET OUT and go and listen to it a few hundred times, at least!"
    Enjoyable and informative vid.
    Thanks.

  • @gabrielaborges6770
    @gabrielaborges6770 5 лет назад +1

    The best deconstruction by far, love these videos. I learn more from these than i do university
    The best 36 minutes and 45 seconds I have spent all my life.
    That rare thing: a highly technical and analytical deconstruction, that's still inspirational.

  • @tarkus123dave
    @tarkus123dave 5 лет назад +11

    Stumbled on this and glad I did, Brilliant. Loved it

  • @DanJohnson
    @DanJohnson 6 лет назад +29

    That Mahavishnu sample was actually vocalised by the drummer on the track, Narada Michael Waldon who went on to be a legendary producer.

  • @stuad70
    @stuad70 7 лет назад +36

    I always thought they sampled a milk bottle hit for the bell? In fact in 1992 I even managed to copy it using my empty pinters two wooden spoons and some carefully measured amounts of water. God bless those times and that early morning milk float sound which used to be a part of daily life. Wonderful deconstruction thanks and what's next? Prodigy Weather Experience Chords have always been a bit of a subject. Cheers Stuad70

    • @pointblankmusicschool
      @pointblankmusicschool  7 лет назад +4

      Hats off to you for the dedication sir! More deconstructions are on the way, but you'll have to hold on to find out what the next track is.

    • @TheBirdBrothers
      @TheBirdBrothers 6 лет назад +2

      Stuart Hamilton yes the actual bells origins are a mystery (not TM2MG bob james)

    • @PierreKosmidis
      @PierreKosmidis 3 года назад

      Always wondered where did this bell sound came from.

  • @fridafeline
    @fridafeline 6 лет назад +1

    Thank you so much for this awesome video!

  • @lukas3687
    @lukas3687 2 года назад +2

    This song is timeless... . only a few other songs are exact like this.

  • @manrez5295
    @manrez5295 7 лет назад +10

    I was so glad when he put the piano Part in. Thought hed forgotten it. Herbie would ve been proud!

  • @mconstant007
    @mconstant007 5 лет назад +2

    Valerie nailed those vocals. Impressive. 🎯😁 I appreciate the skill that goes into pulling this apart in real time and remaking it with some great fidelity. This is twice amazing to think of the wild bunch hatching this up originally in the studio. What a coup de coeur. ❤️

  • @brushhead
    @brushhead 2 года назад

    Am fascinated by these decon videos. I used to love playing this on the radio when I was younger.

  • @Unders
    @Unders 7 лет назад +23

    Another great breakdown

  • @TheRyanos
    @TheRyanos Год назад +2

    Amazing video mate, watched it all the way through with a lot of joy. This is definitely my favourite Massive Attack song and maybe even one of my all time top 10 songs.

  • @Lets-Drone-With-Bone
    @Lets-Drone-With-Bone 7 лет назад +26

    Another absolute brilliant deconstruction, I've always loved this track since the day it was released. Listening to this deconstruction bought tears to my eyes, it was excellent, great to see it made part by part. Cheers for this :-)

    • @dnbninja
      @dnbninja 2 года назад

      Same hear Wayne. This song holds a speacial place in my heart and the string ensemble made me cry.

  • @Sunfell
    @Sunfell 7 лет назад +2

    Your deconstructions are amazing- I enjoy every single one, and learn a ton from them. I've been looking forward to this one for a long time- the song is a favorite of mine.

  • @chickenlips74
    @chickenlips74 7 лет назад +2

    In the words of Mr. Oakenful: Nice! Fantastic work. It all looks so easy, but I know it isn't. It would take me probably 4 weeks to do this, if I ever managed at all. One of my all time favourite tracks as well. Thanks Ski!

  • @zero-x-music
    @zero-x-music 3 года назад +1

    The genius of the original track is clear. But I don't see enough people here saying what a genius Ski Oakenfull is!

  • @georgemcauley9819
    @georgemcauley9819 6 лет назад

    One of my favourite tracks ever...brilliantly written and produced. The strings and bell sound always send tingles up my spine.

  • @OneHalfOfBent
    @OneHalfOfBent 5 лет назад +3

    Best track ever made, dare I say - certainly their first albums were a huge influence on us, and they are still timeless. Great video, I came here to find out where the "hey hey" sample was from :D

  • @fa0676
    @fa0676 6 лет назад

    You know how halfway through some tedious git banging on in a YT clip you think 'just get on with it' and fast forward, or even just bin it? Well, not with this. Superb stuff. I've been dicking about with sequencers and DAWs since my first hooky copy of Cubase for PC back when this song was released, and this caps the whole journey. Thank you so much.

  • @BigfootoOo
    @BigfootoOo 5 лет назад +6

    Wow! So today (from this) I have learnt that the lyrics are actually "I know that I've imagined love before" and not "I know that I've been mad in love before" as I had thought for all these years!!!!
    As for the rest of this, wow, amazing stuff! I now wanna watch the Sliver movie again with the Genesis/Megadrive console and some of this track lol

  • @mintvelvet3351
    @mintvelvet3351 4 года назад +1

    That live performance was so beautiful, emotional and moving.

  • @RockstahRolln
    @RockstahRolln 7 лет назад +2

    Absolutely INCREDIBLE Ski!! As always!

  • @Raffles666
    @Raffles666 5 лет назад +1

    wow - simply wow - my most favourite tune of all time - you did it justice thanks

  • @leighlevy3804
    @leighlevy3804 6 лет назад +3

    I'm just starting on my musical journey. What a Massive Tune, and how wonderful to see it deconstructed and then re-created, one day I hope to be able to have the skills to make something similar

  • @claudiodeluca457
    @claudiodeluca457 7 лет назад +3

    A true master at work. Thanks Ski for this one!

  • @MarcLittlemore
    @MarcLittlemore 5 лет назад +2

    Brilliant deconstruction of a classic track from my youth. Loved this video. Thanks so much.

  • @mdbham
    @mdbham 5 лет назад

    What a pleasurable time to hear all this come together - I adore this track - thanks.

  • @getthoseskills4451
    @getthoseskills4451 3 года назад +1

    This is totally amazing.
    This track really got me into Massive Attack and the darker trip hop productions of acts like
    Portishead, Unkle, DJ Krust, Tricky, HTDA, Allflaws

  • @mnieuwhof
    @mnieuwhof 7 лет назад +4

    WOW... never listened to one of my fav tracks this way... great breakdown!

  • @stuCameraman1
    @stuCameraman1 5 лет назад +2

    It was the movie sound track 'SLIVER' that introduced me to this classic track. Fell in love with the track and was a big influence to my music collection in the mid 1990's. I also up graded my heaphones and Aiwa home sound system to pump out that deep bais in the 1st 7sec of the track😍

  • @meretricious2977
    @meretricious2977 7 лет назад +2

    A rare sighting of Ski without a hat!

  • @gadgetfellow
    @gadgetfellow 2 года назад

    Brilliant talant throughout, Both Ski and the band Massive Attack

  • @CanaldoRonan
    @CanaldoRonan 2 года назад +1

    Hello Ski, thanks for sharing your love for music with us, you are so amazing, thanks Point Blank for exists, respect and admiration from Brazil ❤️

  • @dazhatz
    @dazhatz 4 года назад +1

    In the first vocal sample , just loop the first hey section to clear the snare!.. hey heya hey.... Then eq the bass out.. worked for me!..

  • @martinmayermusicde
    @martinmayermusicde Год назад +1

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

  • @syntropiqueTV
    @syntropiqueTV 4 года назад

    Never even knew there was a Mahavishnu sample there. And ANOTHER Bob James sample. Man I need to get back to Bristol. Thank you!

  • @alicjaa816
    @alicjaa816 5 лет назад

    I think I’ve already watched this a million times. Simply amazing.

  • @stalepalemale
    @stalepalemale 6 лет назад +1

    Another masterful decon with Ski, great work guys

  • @StephanieSante
    @StephanieSante 7 лет назад +2

    Wonderful breakdown. Well done.

  • @FemaletroubleOINKOINK
    @FemaletroubleOINKOINK 2 года назад

    I'm loving these deconstruction videos!

  • @homelessballoon
    @homelessballoon 7 лет назад +3

    Nice presentation!

  • @TPau65
    @TPau65 5 лет назад +1

    Very well done reconstruction of this song! The Original is my alltime favourite one-shot music-video! 👍

  • @adam872
    @adam872 6 лет назад

    That was absolutely brilliant. First of all, I've loved that track and the album it came from since its release back in 1991. Ski does a great job of recreating all the components, especially those beautiful string parts and lush chords. Can I also give a massive shout out to the vocalist, she sounded great. Must go back and reinvestigate Galliano again. I remember liking them back in the day.

  • @CentaurusRelax314
    @CentaurusRelax314 5 лет назад +1

    Stunning piece of music. This tutorial is up to the standard of the original it emulates.

  • @I_am_Spartacus
    @I_am_Spartacus 6 лет назад

    Totally random find, but what a video!!! I did a course with these guys a few years ago and the knowledge and talent is immense..but you can't beat passion for your art.. top tune, top video.. well done guys... really really loved this!!!

  • @robertgreen7890
    @robertgreen7890 5 лет назад +1

    Fantastic. A great watch!

  • @shyarcher1111
    @shyarcher1111 6 лет назад +2

    So simple, so beautiful...

  • @therarelement
    @therarelement 6 лет назад +12

    Man i’m in love with massive attack please do teardrop or protection please!!

  • @Netsuko
    @Netsuko 5 лет назад +4

    Instant goosebumps whenever I hear this track. It's so amazing.

  • @davidellis5141
    @davidellis5141 5 лет назад +2

    I think this is about as good as 🎶 can be. Remarkably Brilliant !

  • @martinorr303
    @martinorr303 5 лет назад

    Absolutely fantastic, I've been using Ableton for years and haven't even used those strings, I certainly will from now on they are amazing!

  • @selectronica6769
    @selectronica6769 6 лет назад +2

    Bloody Awesome ! One of the tracks of my lifetime

  • @bearpitrock
    @bearpitrock 6 лет назад +1

    Ski. Such a legend.

  • @ecsantana
    @ecsantana 2 года назад

    I really had no freakin' idea that They've actually used REAL STRINGS rather than samples! ! ! damn, this makes LOVE Them even much...

  • @I_am_Spartacus
    @I_am_Spartacus 3 года назад

    Ski is one talented mutha !! Always love watching these decons and I've done a few course wit PB.. making music is freakin awesome !!

  • @grahamfranklingf
    @grahamfranklingf 4 года назад +1

    Brilliant

  • @BarringtonSmythe
    @BarringtonSmythe 3 года назад

    So Good!! This is the first of your videos I've watched and my favorite track. Great Work keep it up.

  • @planetmusicsamos
    @planetmusicsamos 7 лет назад +4

    i NEVER miss a video from Ski .

  • @MrGenedancingmachine
    @MrGenedancingmachine 2 года назад +1

    16:54 How many of those changes are actually needed and how many are him just doing things he automatically does with most things because it has become an autopilot habit?

  • @larse.437
    @larse.437 4 года назад

    Love Massive Attack. Great re/ deconstruction and awesome vocals.

  • @violence_mary
    @violence_mary 5 лет назад +1

    That bloody snare at the end of the sample!!!! Still, lovely ❤