Reviews (2)

Historic maybe but not essential
Apart from having her first recordings with Lionel Hampton (and these songs can be found on a brilliant "The First Issue" CD anyway) this collection doesn't bring any of Dinah Wahington's jewels.Instead, thisis compilation of her early R&B years,long on hits but short ininspiration, double meaning blues novelties that doesnt age very wellanymore.It's hillarious to her then-young Dinah singing "Long JohnBlues" with such innocent young voice - in my opinion her best workcame much later, when her voice gained that unique bittersweetcolour.Listen to her Bessie Smith tribute instead, now that was best of theblues!

Asin: B000000W6H
Sales Rank: 164346
Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Pop   

Reviews (3)

The Queen of Rhythm and Blues
"LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith" (1958) is a classic performance by one of the great R&B vocalists -- not to mention a triumphant reinvention of the blues queen's music. Unfortunately, the album's critical praise did not translate into huge sales. One can only speculate what direction Baker's career might have taken had the Smith tribute succeeded on a commercial level. Still, it remains among her finest achievements.

An Undiscovered Treasure!
La Vern Baker, better known for 1950's popular songs belts out a tour de force revival of Bessie Smith Classics.She combines Bessie's warm tone with the passion and jazz know-how of Dinah Washington.The accompanying instrumentals are authentic and appropriate, and perfectly balanced with LaVern's powerful voice. Unlike so many albums, this one is all good.The only remaining mystery is, that LaVern is not better known today as a jazz/blues diva of the highest magnitude, fully entitled to her rightful place alongside Etta James, Dinah Washington, and of course, Bessie Smith.

Reviews (5)

Ever wonder how Ma Rainey would sound with modern recording?
Its very hard to found personalities who can continue tradition of blues queens of 1920's without failing:Dinah Washington,Koko Taylor and Etta James perhaps did honorable work,their passion matches famous pioneer women who sang at the beggining of century.Billie Holiday occasionaly surprised with clever incorporation of traditional blues in her material ("Long gone Blues").Even early rock star LaVern Baker recorded Bessie Smith tribute that was actually good.But who would expect folk singer Odetta to be another link between famous past and 1960's? Yes,Odetta obviously had a presence,strong voice and passion but she used them mostly for singing folk and spirituals,so this blues album was fabulous surprise - she sound very relaxed and authoritative,as she knows this songs inside out.And yes,she can match with legends like Bessie Smith,Ma Rainey and Ida Cox - her version of "Oh Papa" is simply stunning.Song listed as "Hogan Alley" is actually old Ma Rainey hit "Black Eyed Blues" ("you low-down alligator,I'll catch you soon or later...") and I didnt really like arrangements by D.Wellstood who in attempt to be contemporary somehow fastened up the tempo of legendary songs,so unfortunately Odetta sounds as she was running behind a band occasionaly.The only reason that I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is that "modern" arrangments ruined majestic 1920's "Nobody Knows You When You Are Down And Out",sad and poignant song that should be delievered as deep-feelt truth about life - in hands of this backing musicians it almost ended up as boogie woogie.

Is this Bessie Smith Or Odetta?
When I heard a cut of the record on FM radio I was puzzled....was this Bessie Smith?...it had the snap and crackle of the great Bessie Smith....but it almost sounded like the unmistakable voice of Odetta.Icalled the radio station host who told me it was an old Odetta album.Hewas good enough to send me the whole album and it is one of my favorites. What a combination!The distinctive voice and soulfulness of Odetta in aspare blues setting with the great Vic Dickensen on trombone and Herb HallI believe on piano. I'm glad the album is now available on CD.Manywonderful cuts. Some of my favorites:Yonder Come the Blues and Make Me aPallett on Your Floor.People who like this album will also like there-issue When Your Lover Has Gone by the less well-known singer ClaireAustin.This album features trombone by Kid Ory.It is a classic as well.

Reviews (3)

Before She Became Famous
I remember the first time I stumbled on this cd of Aretha's early recordings. And it has haunted me ever since.
THIS cd IS Aretha...because it's before ANY of the many hits she's more famous for. The sheer talent and emotional power Ms. Franklin infuses into these recordings is amazing, to say the least.
It is wonderful to see a young woman her age (at the time) with so much energy.

Prelude to the Queen of Soul
Aretha Franklin's Columbia years tend to be dismissed by critics as so much fluff, and totally ignored by everyone else.That is mainly because Franklin did not have the kind of hits she would later have with Atlantic and, frankly, because her material and delivery wasn't as good.Still, no one can sing like 'Ree, even when she does torch songs and standards as in this collection.In any case, "The Early Years" should be part of any Aretha-fan's CD collection, if only as a reminder that Franklin did not come out of nowhere when she did "I Never Loved a Man" in 1967.

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Reviews (8)

THIS IS THE A-BOMB!!
This album is the best album I own, and I own a lot of music. If you don't love the emotion, intensity, and power of this than nothing can move you.

The toughest singer you've ever heard.
This album rivals B.B. King Live At The Regal for best live blues album ever. Etta James sings so tough, so ballsy, I cannot think of another singer to compare her to. She almost makes even Wilson Pickett and James Brown sound like wimps.On a couple of songs, she does some scatting you have to hear to believe. Takes my breath away everytime.

Besides the incredible singing, the other thing that makes this album a joy is the audience. Their excitement is palpable. On a couple of songs, Etta gets a thrilling call and response going with them, and their energy seems to feed her. The album is the next best thing to Etta James in person.

One of the best live blues albums ever recorded!
This album rivals B.B. KingÕs Live At The Regal for best live blues album ever. (Although, ironically, I think the weakest cut on the album is Sweet Little Angel, which nobody, not even Etta James can sing with the passion of B.B. King)The high points are Baby What You Want Me To Do and Woke Up This Morning. Her singing is so tough, so ballsy on these songs, I canÕt think of another singer to compare her to. She could make even Wilson Pickett and James Brown sound like wimps.She finishes both songs off with some scatting you have to hear to believe. She just takes my breath away. And several more songs on this album are almost as good.

Editorial Review

Reviews (3)

Esther Where Have I Been?
Never heard of Esther Phillips until I saw her name in a newspaper article.Checked her out on Amazon, bought this 2-CD album and can barely bring myself to play any of my other favorite CD's.She has an "Eartha Kitt" sound at first, until you hear her out and, wham, she's country, she's soul and she's
blues.If you want something to stir your bones, hear her out!

One of higlights of Esther Phillips discography
Dear Esther Phillips,I really have a soft spot for her.The best part of excellent "Rhino" compilation "The best of Esther Phillips 1962-1970" were four songs taken from her long unavailable country LP,finally here in a full glory.Because great Dinah Washington died before she ever recorded country album herself,this would be the closest we will ever come to imagine what would Dinah sound with this kind of repertoire.Just like Ray Charles before her,Phillips had a great feeling for country music and the combination of soul/R&B vocal style touch in a very straightforward country material was a brilliant idea (many years later done again on "Rythm,Country and Blues" album with Patty Labelle and Natalie Cole between other stars participating in duets with country singers).Esther Phillips country album is absolutely first-class,must-have CD but unfortunately second CD here was just another "Atlantic" mix of desperate search of hit single - curse of Phillips versatility.(Almost like young Aretha's "Coumbia" days) Its nice to have both LP's but for me the whole reason of buying this CD is Esther Phillips excellent country album finally available on CD format.

a good pairing of Esther Phillips albums
To my knowledge, this is the first US cd issue of the "Country Side of Esther Phillips". "Set Me Free" was previously issued by Atlantic, though they omitted one track which is now restored on this issue. Though Esther did have a few hits, she certainly deserved a higher level of commercial success than she received. As the liner notes indicate, she was likened to Dinah Washington in her day, but in retrospect it is obvious that Esther was one of a kind. Her delivery is always very soulful. Her tone is quite different than Aretha's, but the passion is similar. Curiously the running order of the "Set Me Free" album is different than Atlantic's earlier reissue; I don't know which matches the original album, or if either actually does. More curious is the packaging which states "2 albums on 1 cd". This is a 2-cd set. The first album is only about a half-hour long but the latter is nearly 74 minutes long. The two albums are on two separate discs.

Reviews (3)

Monumental!
Singers come and go. That is what Lorraine Ellison did. She Only appeared on 3 albums of her own and the soundtrack for the movie The Landlord. This record contains a large block of her recordings for Warner Brothers during the 70's. Most of the performances here are first rate; even the throwaway songs. For those of us who are fortunate enough to have this CD, we are truly blessed. Too bad they left off of this CD her performances with the Oliver Nelson arrangements. 'When Love Flies Away'(which would make you cry) and "What Is A Woman". Nevertheless, Lorraine was a true treasure. This is real R&B soul sung the way it is supposed to be sung. Lorraine was a "belter" who could deliver a song in a most profound and powerful, yet sweet manner. Aretha and Patti LaBelle had success, Lorraine had cancer and she checked out too soon. Thank heaven that Lorraine made these reciedings. Buy this record. (if you can find it)It will truly rock your soul.

One of the most powerful compilations you've never heard
I agree with the prior reviewer: When I heard the title track of this best of compilation, I nearly lost it.I still get goosebumps thinking about those goosebumps.I had never heard of Lorraine Ellison before stumbling upon this CD in the used bin of a Soul and R&B music store.How could this wonderful singer have had such a short and relatively unnoticed career by popular music standards?Listen to this disc.Her cover of some late 60s and early 70s pop standards (the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, and Jimmy Cliff) are magnificent.Her vocals are more over-wrought than Aretha's but the power is the same -- and the emotions still manage to ring true.

Reviews (3)

THE ESSENTIALJAZZANDSOULOFELLA!!!
Ella Fitzgerald was a versatile singer who could venture into any area of music that she pleased and master it even though the jazz establishment wanted to keep her boxed into only singing old jazz standards...Ella refused to be stifled by these limititations and this great double lp collection is the result...Ella went into the studio in the late sixties with famed record producer Richard Perry and the results are nothing short of extraordinary with one of the most adventuresome and satisfying collections of her brilliant career. Opening this unusual session with a rhythmic and funky version of the Smokey Robinson classic "Get Ready", Ella is wildly soulful and breaks into a great scat routine that is amazing and this could have been a huge hit if it would have been given any airplay at all!! A sly and seductive Ella on another Smokey Robinson gem "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game", Ella then becomes exotic and playful with a superb version of Randy Newman's "Yellow Man".A smooth Ella flows brilliantly through Burt Bacharach's "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" and it is clear by now that Ella brings her own unique flair to each of these songs making them completely her own and in a most brilliant and engrossing way!A masterful vocal and a rocking arrangement make for the definitive version of the Lennon/McCartney classic "Got To Get You Into My Life" which flows beautifully into Randy Newman's gospel rocker "I Wonder Why" that Ella totally rips apart.Sublime vocal beauty enchants with a gorgeous take on the Smokey Robinson classic "Ooo Baby Baby" which must have been a thrill for Smokey to hear sung so brilliantly by the legendary Ella Fitzgerald in a version that matches his own great original!!!Ella rocks out making George Harrison's "Savory Truffle" incredibly great and flows into a hauntingly gorgeous "Open Your Window" which features a breathtakingly beautiful and wonderfully magical vocal.Ella is inspired thoughtout this great album and at a creative and vocal peak making it unfortunate that this adventuresome set was a one of a kind classic in her career...Ella was completely up to the challenge of doing something different and very contemporary and makes each song an extraordinary listening experience unlike any other!!! Closing with the earthy and rocking "Knock On Wood", Ella's voice is a great mix of smooth soulfulness and rough grit and anyone who loves an extraordinarily great voice at its peak will find this collection a real treasure chest of incomparable performances...Bravo Ella because you proved that you could rock-out and turn contemporary songs into classics with the best of them!!!!After this groundbreaking album Ella followed brilliantly with the updated classic Ella styled "Things Ain't What They Used To Be..." which has a great mix of the current material at that time and some standards all done with wonderful big band arrangements by master arranger and conductor Gerald Wilson. Ella is stunning on classics such as "Black Coffee", "Tuxedo Junction", "I Heard It Throught The Grapevine" and stretches all of the songs in this great album to the max with awesome scat routines and loose and exciting vocals making this one of the finest collections in her legendary career. The epitome of greatness and sophisication is Ella's sublime vocal on "Don't Dream Of Anyone But Me" reminding us what a once in a lifetime treasure Ella was and what a loss it is not to be able to go and see her in concert or pick up a new release such as these priceless treasures at a record shop...I miss that...and Thank You Ella for all the wonderful years of sharing your brillance and being thefinest!

ella'srock, soul, and jazzmasterpiece
famed producer richard perry produced this ella classic rock, pop and soul collection of neilson,motown,beatles and other great 60's song's that ella makes completely her own-i went to see ella numerous times in la from the late 60' to the late 80's and even got a autograph on the cover of my original copy of ella that i cherish to this day!! she was so kind when i came face to face with her and she was gracious to her fans in person-when i got to see her at the now grove with the DUKE at the piano, that was truly sublime!!! the companion lp in this release is ella with the big band master gerald wilson at the helm and the results is classic ella jazz set-enjoy as this is truly as good as it gets!!!

Reviews (2)

SMOOTH&SULTRY=BARBARALEWIS
Barbara Lewis had many classic hits in the 60's on the legendary Atlantic Records but as Aretha hit as the labels mega-superstar they lost interest in promoting artists such as Mary Wells, Dee Dee Sharp, Esther Phillips and Barbara Lewis!!As a result of this plus the radically changing music scene towards the end of the decade, Barbara Lewis signed with Enterprise a division of Stax Records and recorded this finely produced diverse set of soft soul delights!! Opening with a hit sounding "Baby That's A No No", Barbara clearly is at her soulful best and continues with a haunting and beautifully sung "Windmills Of Your Mind" which was a hit the same year by Dusty Springfield whose career is another one that should have had greater commercial success at this time. "Slip Away" is a really fine version of this familiar soft-rocker and "How Can I Tell You" is heartfelt and ever so smooth while "Break Away" is a rhythm cooker!! Smokey Robinson would have been a great choice of composer and producer for Barbara as she is perfect on Smokey's "Oh, Be My Love" and reminds me of his great work with the overlooked Soul-Legend Mary Wells! A beautiful passionate vocal make "Just The Way You Are Today" another winner and the lilting "Anyway" has a nice soft flow to it.Quite urgency make for an interesting take on "But You Know I Love You" and "You Made Me A Woman" sounds like it could have been a sixties soul hit as does the astrological "The Stars". Barbara's sixties chart hits had a certain feel to them and "Do I Deserve It Baby" fits into this mold but somehow although a fine version "Ask The Lonely" doesn't and it is surprising that it was released as a single!! So powerful was the Four Tops passionate version that nobody could have topped it or even come close!!! "Why Did It Take You So Long" and "That's The Way I Like It" are fine bonus tracks that flow well into the material on the original release.From what I can tell this is the last release from the largely forgotten Soulful Diva who remains one of the finest from the Soulful Sixties!Enjoy!!!!

Final Ollie McLaughlin album
Unlike most soul singers of the 1960s, Barbara Lewis enjoyed a continuous relationship with a single producer from the start of her recording career in 1962 until 1970.Also unusually, she was herself the source of some of her most memorable material including her huge hit "Hello Stranger" and much later, the hit-that-should-have-been "Thankful for What I Got."

This is the only Barbara Lewis album available on CD.It is her last, released on Stax subsidiary Enterprise Records in 1970.There are no hits here because, unfortunately, the U.S. radio market had forgotten Barbara Lewis.

Given the chance, I would rate this record three and one-half stars.It contains some fine vintage late-60s soul, such as the badly titled "That's a No No" and the Muscle Shoals-sounding "Slip Away."Her version of "Windmills of Your Mind" is a nice complement to Dusty Springfield's much better known version.There's a great ersatz Motown "Break Away."The Memphis sound gets the nod on "But You Know I Love You." There's almost a Philly feel to "You Made Me a Woman." Indeed, the album could be a tour of the U.S. soul scene in 1969.Oddly enough, this exceptionally smooth-voiced singer bogs down on a song written by that famous smooth-voiced male singer, Smokey Robinson, ("Oh, Be My Love").Perhaps better results are obtained when Ms. Lewis' smooth singing is applied to somewhat edgier material.

The variety of material on this album is fun from the perspective of 30 years on, but it also reflects a fatal uncertainty as to what Barbara Lewis should be doing in 1969.Sadly, there are no Barbara Lewis originals.The two singles added to the set for this CD release expose a shocking loss of direction.Who could have expected a cover of "Ask the Lonely" to be commercially viable in 1969?And her final Ollie McLaughlin-produced single "That's the Way I Like It" sounds like one of the more misguided efforts emanating from the still immature British soul scene at the time.

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Reviews (4)

the lady is Bad&Fine
Freda Payne not only has some tight Chops but She also is a Great looking Lady as well."Band of Gold" is the kind of song that if it was done in rap nowadays it would be so funny&twisted&yet work better than anything else out now.She has more cuts than "Band of Gold"&when you hear Her Sing you will truly dig Her range.

freda we miss you baby
classic soul from the invictus label which also had other acts like parliament-funkadelic, chairmen of the board and ruth copeland, but freda was her own and was good at what she did if you feel her this is for you one of history's most talented and overlooked divas.

Classic seventies soul - more than just Band of gold
Band of gold (which you surely already know) starts this collection. Most people don't remember any other song Freda did, so you might expect a lot of filler to pad out the CD. Not so - there are many excellent songs here including Deeper and Deeper, possibly the second best known song here. There is absolutely no filler whatsoever.

These songs were recorded in the Vietnam era, and Freda caused a stir by recording the song Bring the boys home. Other than that, most of these songs are typical seventies soul, generally upbeat. If you enjoy the song Band of gold, you will enjoy the rest of this album. The songs appear to be all originals. If there are any covers, I don't recognise them. Note that there is an error in the Amazon track listing - tracks 18-23 are repeated as 24-29. Ignore 24-29 and make track 30 track 24.

Reviews (2)

Best Hit To Short
Her Big Hit Since I Fell For You Is Too Short, This Is The Short Short Version. If You Like Laure Find The Long Version.

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Reviews (2)

Ann Peebles is Al Green's long lost soul sista
For years now I have been yearning to hear more of Al Green at his best: those years that he spent recording for Hi Records.Sadly, I had exhausted his catalog.And then I found Ann Peebles.Here's the reverend Al Green in drag singing like an angel.The horns, the strings, the backup singers, her voice.It's like a very good drug.Buy this album.Songs like "If We Can't Trust Each Other" and "One Way Street" will put a smile on your face and make you consider loving mankind again.Go ahead, get your credit card out of your wallet and place that order.You'll be glad you did.

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Asin: B000006YSF
Sales Rank: 329327
Subjects:  1. Pop   

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Reviews (7)

Dearly remembered
I bought this LP in 1973 in a record shop in Roxbury, Boston, and was I glad I did, even though one of the tracks, "In the Meantime" is one of the saddest ballads ever waxed. As others on this page have noted, Betty is an original, way ahead of her time, and to me is as interesting a composer as Abbey Lincoln. That says a lot. The reissue may seem a bit expensive but in this case you more than get what you pays for.

Kicks In The Door
This album is incredible.Without a doubt, Mrs. Davis was twenty years ahead of her time.Sure, she married Miles and slept w/Jimi but she wrote and sang too.Her attitude makes feminism hide under the bed.The players are fantastic and the music takes no prisoners.Not for the meek.Oh, and yes, that's Journey's Neil Schon on guitar...

Reviews (13)

Candi - The Voice of Conscience
I am a native of Newark, N.J. I remember Saturday evenings, as a child, sitting on the front porch of my house on the southside, listening to 92WKTU's Chep Pedibone, Frankie Knuckles or Live radio mixes from Club Zanzibar's very own Tony Humphries. They would play disco, house and club in such a way one can only make sure they had enough 90min blank tapes available for recording. Then, from a slight distance you can hear the intro to "Victim" being faded in. Enters Candi; the voice of passion, feeling. She carries a song with the vibe preacher giving a sermon about experiences in life and love. From Young Hearts Run Free to When You Wake Up Tomarrow Candi has been there did that. You do not want to miss this one...

Unbelieveable greatest from the FIRST goddess of disco!
To find these songs on one collection after all these years is amazing! When You Wake up Tomorrow ... in all of it's 7 &1/2 minute glory at that ... just pure heaven! Also just nearly as good ... Victim , with it's 8 minute anthem version ... also pure heaven!

Every song on this amazing album is just terrific. From start to finish, a complete winner. Check out the booklet for a very eye-opening look inside Candi's life.Every song here has become a favorite for me ... hopefully they all will for you too!

Reviews (5)

A decent and respectable if incomplete collection.
This collection focuses on Phyllis' 1976-78 Buddah product. While essentials like "The Answer Is You", "Gonna Make Changes" and "Betcha By Golly Wow" are included, it would have been appropriate to also include songs from the Arista years(1979-84).

It's Been Done Before
This CD is just a repeat of the various Phyllis compilations that concentrates on her stint with Buddah/Arista.The only exception is the inclusion of a previously unreleased gem called "Sounds Like A Love Song".Other than that, you should invest your money into a more comprehensive set, preferably one that concentrates more on her Philly/Zoo years.

Soulful, Talented, Tragic
Before leaving this world for the next, the late Phyllis Hyman contributed her voice in singing some of the most beautiful ballads I have ever heard. This album, a short compilation of her greatest hits, was the album thatintroduced me to the legend that Hyman was and forever would be. Songs like"Gonna Make Changes," and "Betcha By Golly Wow,"showcase the true vocal talent his singer had. Unlike many of today's soulsingers, Hyman's vocals are pure innocence and her style can never bereproduced in today's world of sythesizers and sampling.

Reviews (6)

When Chaka screams:"I've got it-you know that SHE GOT IT!
I bought this album with the expectation that it would not have been as good as her rufus albums-boy was I wrong. Chaka (black panther/primal wailer) Khan, never dissapoints. The whole damn joint is good. "Roll me through the Rushes" is a song that you might consider as a filler at first, until midway, when youal realize this is Chaka at her smoldering best. My favorite is Stevie's "I was made to love Him"; Chaka may have took over ownership from the great Mr. Wonder. I mean her interpretation is raw-soul, raw-emotion, natural talent. Chaka Khan is a soul music martyr, a soul sister who defines the term. Peace and blessings, HOTEP. CHAKA KHAN IS IT!!!

Only Chaka Can Do This!
I can't think of anyone else who has ever made an album like
this.Her follow up "Naughty" is more sleekly produced and carried out but in terms of thrills and innovation AND CK's need
to make the public open their minds 'Chaka' is a treat."I'm Every Woman" is an anthem that is the only proper way to open this album while "Love Has Fallen On Me" is a sumpuous soul ballad that's not dissimilar to Areatha Franklins classic late
1960's Atlantic stuff."Sleep On It" and the classic George Benson duet "We Got The Love" mark the precise area where jazz and slick R&B's barrier's began to blur while the Philly soul-like "A Woman In A Man's World" discusses Chaka's place in the
music buisness.Then she rolls out the FOOT STOMPIN' fonk of
the delicious "Life Is A Dance","Some Love" and the DEEPLY
grooving "The Message In The Middle Of The Bottom",the only cut
here that remotely resembles Rufus.She tops things off with a vital cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Lover Her".Her
brilliant,one-of-a-kind sonics (her singing goes WAY beyond vocal) and her impeccable taste in jazz oriented musicians like
Richard Tee,Phil Upchurch,The Breckers,David Sanborn and even
Airto Moreita give this album a distinct air of classiness that
alot of music from this era lacked.Good thing Chaka never dueted
with Airto's wife though;Chaka Khan and Flora Purim singing together on the same album could be dangerous.Too much fire.

HER FIRST SOLO OUTING AND A KILLER!
Chaka Khan - Chaka Warner Bros.

Reviews (12)

Grace for president
Get this album. Right now. I said so.

It's that good.

Grace imbues every song with more sexuality, passion and wit than you'll find in most people's albums piled together. Every song has class musicianship as well. Bass lines so warm and slinky they should almost have an FDA warning. You can belt this one out in the car, track by track. When she declares, "I'm sick and *tired* of all this..." in 'Bull...', she really sounds that way. Normally I'm not into Tom Petty but Grace brings "Breakdown" to life. Her version of "Love is the Drug" is right up there with the Roxy Music original, and that's saying something. With the possible exception of the title track, for which I still prefer The Normal's club legend, Jones meets or betters the source material through and through. I bought this collection a few years ago, and it has remained on the stack of 'to play now' cd's next to my stereo ever since.

For those who did not believe the union of soul and electronic music could yield authentic results that make the hair on your neck stand on end...your lesson begins now.

1980 Studio Album
In the late 1970's Grace Jones became something of a Disco Diva as she burst onto New Yorks club scenes with Disco hits such as I Need A Man and Do Or Die. However in 1980 following a new record deal with Island Records, home to various Reggae acts, Jones achieved further mainstream recognition with the superb Warm Leatherette album.

Grace Jones shifted musical direction for the Warm Leatherette (1980) project, divulging into a diverse blend of sounds and styles ranging from Reggae, Rock, New Wave, Funk and Soul. The finished results were some of Jones most compelling recording work.

This album was not least aided by the excellent production skills of Chris Blackwell and Alex Sadkin as well as the startling muscians behind her with Sly Dunbar on drums, Robbie Shakespeare on bass guirtars, Barry Reynolds and Michael Chung alternating on guirtars, Wally Badarou assuming keyboard duties and Uzziah Thompson jamming away on that pounding percussion. Jones inserts effectively through all eight of these inventive recordings as well as providing her own backing vocals.

The title track Warm Leatherette is an electric affair combining a striking mixture of Rock, New Wave and Reggae. Jones sounds even a little playful on the tracks chrous consisting of thrashing guirtar riffages.

Jones fantastic cover version of The Pretenders, Private Life is given a more definitive and unique working over where Jones seemingly scowls through the duration of each verse whilst then singing gently in that raw (though narrow) vocal style she became accustomed to on her next pair of albums. Private Life, encapsulating Reggae and New Wave vibes, deservedly became one of Jones' biggest hit singles in the U.K where it climbed its way to No.17 on the main U.K Top 40 Charts.

The bouncy, Funk-driven A Rolling Stone (which Jones co-wrote) featured Jones delivering a surprisingly more soulful performance whilst her rocking interpretation of Bryan Ferrys' Love Is The Drug is masterful with Jones delivery strong and assertive.

Jones' cover of an old Motown track The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game is instantly infectious with a sturdy lead by Jones and contagious musical arrangements that makes this one of the projects highlights.

Bulls*** is a little bland and silly and is the only real let down of the album though Jones does manage to slightly redeem it by delivering a spirited performance though of far stronger musical merit was the mellower tone of Breakdown, where Jones delivery is seemingly cradled with mixed emotions shifting from shining self-assurance to points of dispair and moments of vulnreability.

Pars conveys the more breathy, seamless quality in Jones voice that rarely surfaced on a lot of her earlier work at Island Records. The mood is more mellow and atmospheric with Jones becoming immersed into the swirling orchestrations.

Warm Leatherette (1980) alongside her subsequent release Nightclubbing (1981) contains some of her the very best tracks Jones ever recorded in her relatively short and somewhat erratic recording career and incidentally also became one of her biggest sellers. Without doubt, essential Grace Jones to fans of this extraordinary and off-the-wall Diva.


Ian Phillips