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Musical climate perfect
Grace Jones - Hurricane
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Review by Tony Bonyata It's been over two decades since the Jamaican-born singer, actress, model and one-time Andy Warhol muse Grace Jones has released any new music. It's not as if she was sorely missed though, with the rise (and fall) of alternative rock, grunge, punk-pop, rap and garage rock ebbing and flowing throughout the last two decades. But with interest in electronic dance music (Jones' own specialty) increasing over the last few years, there seemed no better time to stage a comeback.On her tenth full-length effort, Hurricane, Jones taps into the many variances of modern dance music - both popular and underground - such as electro-hop, dance-pop, house, trip-hop and trance. Thankfully, however, we're spared from the kitsch of the increasingly popular auto-tuned vocal treatment, and, instead, reintroduced to Jones' deep, sensual and intoxicating vocals, which turn out to be the ace-in-the-hole on this already strong collection of tunes that should appeal to fans of both alternative and dance music. Of course this isn't all Jones' baby, as producer Ivor Guest has provided some truly sumptuous and decadent arrangements for her to weave her her own magic into. She's also invited likeminded musical guests such as Brian Eno, the Jamaican rhythm section of Sly & Robbie, Tricky and former Prince acolytes Wendy & Lisa to add their own unique signatures to as well. Songs such as brooding and macabre industrial number "Corporate Cannibal" sit perfectly alongside the sparkling electro-pop of "Well Well Well" "Williams' Bond," the trance-inducing rhythm of the title track, as well as the dub-reggae vibe on the track "Sunset Sunrise." Modern dance fans will no doubt be pleased to learn that this set also comes with an extra disc of dub versions of all the songs from Hurricane. While not as essential as the title disc, it, nonetheless, makes for a stronger overall package and gives us yet another reason to welcome back this nearly forgotten diva with open arms,,, and shaking hips. |