GRACE JONESWARM LEATHERETTE
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
Originally printed in Now Then Magazine issue 101
Abstract, electronically-crafted dub-funk serves up a pretty dish for the melodic musings of super star actress, supermodel and alternative music figurehead, Grace Jones.
The deluxe reissue opens with the title track. It's got bass, neck thrusts, and perhaps a conversation with Grace in the back seat of an old car. A classic by today's standard, the nostalgic allure of leatherette coupling with the artist's own familiarity. As good as she's ever been, the confident and gutsy Jones shows her no bullshit attitude. “The car crash cassette”, and close. We all know the dangers of changing music at 70mph. Imagine knowing it was one of your albums. Do you think? I dare not ask.
The album gets even more fruity as 'Private Life' takes a look at the celebrity fascinations which drive the popular media. It can get quite frustrating, I imagine, and this track appears to be a response to all those phone calls and questions shouted from across the street. She's putting up her boundaries. Now that's all clear, a lighter tone spirals down to meet the party.
'A Rolling Stone' has radio play single written all over it: short, snappy, happy, and all about love. The title is a great mention of another artist, the slightly more rock 'n' roll tempo perhaps is a tip of the hat in that direction. Each track brings new sounds, giving full perspective on Jones's tastes and evolution of era. The bits we left behind are pulled up by the bootstraps and made modern again.
Rowan Blair Colver
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
Originally printed in Now Then Magazine issue 101
Abstract, electronically-crafted dub-funk serves up a pretty dish for the melodic musings of super star actress, supermodel and alternative music figurehead, Grace Jones.
The deluxe reissue opens with the title track. It's got bass, neck thrusts, and perhaps a conversation with Grace in the back seat of an old car. A classic by today's standard, the nostalgic allure of leatherette coupling with the artist's own familiarity. As good as she's ever been, the confident and gutsy Jones shows her no bullshit attitude. “The car crash cassette”, and close. We all know the dangers of changing music at 70mph. Imagine knowing it was one of your albums. Do you think? I dare not ask.
The album gets even more fruity as 'Private Life' takes a look at the celebrity fascinations which drive the popular media. It can get quite frustrating, I imagine, and this track appears to be a response to all those phone calls and questions shouted from across the street. She's putting up her boundaries. Now that's all clear, a lighter tone spirals down to meet the party.
'A Rolling Stone' has radio play single written all over it: short, snappy, happy, and all about love. The title is a great mention of another artist, the slightly more rock 'n' roll tempo perhaps is a tip of the hat in that direction. Each track brings new sounds, giving full perspective on Jones's tastes and evolution of era. The bits we left behind are pulled up by the bootstraps and made modern again.
Rowan Blair Colver
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