Probably best known for providing the vocals on the Massive Attack song "Unfinished Sympathy" which has frequently been described as one of the best songs of all time, according to polls produced by MTV2, NME, and various other magazines and reviewers.

A reviewer for the BBC has said that: "More than a decade after its release it remains one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as a ballad by Bacharach or a melody by McCartney.

"Her work with Massive Attack was not solely confined to singing, and she assisted with other aspects of the songmaking process. However, she decided to discontinue working with the band after the Blue Lines album.

In July 1993 she started her solo career with the UK Top 20 hit "Down That Road". The single was released on Cooltempo Records after Nelson had returned to London from Bristol. Both Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osbourne were involved in remixing the single, which marketed her as the "new Aretha Franklin".

According to reviews she "readily admitted to her Motown Records influences, and the arrangements on her debut album were sumptuous affairs, with heaped strings and gushing choruses." The songs were co-written by Prince Be of P.

M. Dawn ("Down That Road"), Adrian Sherwood (the title track) and Saint Etienne ("One Goodbye In Ten').