Island Life - Grace Jones

Advantages: These two discs capture some of Grace Jones most enthralling recording work
Disadvantages: Strangely omits the classic "Slave To The Rhythm" - one of Grace's biggest sellers

...with double entendres and the fabulous arrnagements contain lots of groovy, spiralling rhythms, incessant jangly guirtars and a persistent, squelching, reggae-like beat. "Pull Up To The Bumper" was originally released in 1981 and stalled at a disappointing #53. Upon its re-issue in 1986, following the top 5 success of her compilation album "Island Life", it raced into the Top 20 and flew up the Club and R&B Charts. One of Grace Jones definitive classics. The swirling, dark, hypnotic sounds and vibes of the trancey "Walking In The Rain" from 1981's critically-acclaimed "Nightclubbing" (a top 10 R&B album and also voted "Album Of The Year" by readers of NME magazine) is a stand out! Grace delivers her trademark half-sung, half-spoken passages, all adding to the intensity of the mood and atmosphere. The boisterous, utterly superb "Use Me", a Bill... Read review

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Advantages: superb collection of superb songs - great production too
Disadvantages: can't think of any

...This is Grace Jones' first album in 20 years and reunites her with Sly and Robbie, her collaborators on the classic trilogy of albums from the early eighties (Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, and Living My Life). The new album also includes contributions from Brian Eno who contributes all sorts of sonic enhancements. The opening song "This Is" sets the scene - those classic half sung, half spoken vocals, masses of delightful sonic touches buried in the mix and above all, a very catchy tune. It's like Massive Attack suddenly wrote some dubby pop songs. Track two "William's Blood" is astounding too especially as Grace duets with her mother on a verse of "Amazing Grace" at the close of the song. The single "Corporate Cannibal" is superb - spooky vocals and lyrics (Grace sombrely declaring that she is 'a man eating machine'). Check... Read review

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Advantages: Hurricane emerges as Grace Jones most compelling recording project
Disadvantages: None that springs to mind

...My Life (1982), Grace had been teamed with those two renowned Reggae wizards: Slyn Dunbar and Robbie Shakespere. They were the classic Compass Point Sessions. So, if anything, buying this brand new CD by Grace Jones was largely out of curiosity. I was immediately delighted to see Grace had hooked back up with Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakepere for Hurricane. From the opening track, i knew this album was going to be RED HOT and a WINNER! This was not least backed up some of the critics reviews that have been unanimous in their praise for Hurricane, many correctly stating that this was a significant comeback for Grace Jones. Hurricane(2008) is a deep, reflective, often spiritual piece of work by the legendary Grace Jones. On tracks such as Williams Blood and I'm Crying (Mothers Tears) the songs are almost autobiographical. The profound... Read review

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