 Assisted by co @-@ producer Mark Saunders , Tricky recorded Maxinquaye primarily at his home studio in London in 1994 with Topley @-@ Bird , who shared vocals on most of the tracks with him . He incorporated dub production techniques , heavily altered samples , and elements of hip hop , soul , rock , ambient techno , reggae , and experimental music into the record 's groove @-@ oriented and low @-@ tempo sound . The songs explore themes of dysfunctional sexual relationships , fear of intimacy , recreational drug use , and cultural decline , with lyrics inspired by Tricky 's experiences in the British drug culture . His songwriting style and use of female vocalists such as Topley @-@ Bird were influenced by his mother , Maxine Quaye , after whom the album was titled . 
