Good, but not all of the best
Pieter | Johannesburg | 01/06/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"With the exception of her incomparable version of La Vie En Rose from Portfolio (1977), this collection focuses entirely on Grace Jones' post-disco output of the 1980s. It completely ignores her quite worthwhile 1970s disco albums like Muse & Fame and the later pop works like Bulletproof Heart and Inside Story.
The hits include Chrissie Hynde's composition Private Life, Jones' ominous version of Daniel Miller's Warm Leatherette, the sensual Pull Up To The Bumper, her interpretation of the Roxy Music classic Love Is The Drug, the fierce Demolition Man and the romantic I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango). But the other tracks are great too, especially the polyrhythmic Nipple To The Bottle, My Jamaican Guy and the torch song Walking In The Rain.
This album is of course not comprehensive and the most glaring omissions are the brilliant disco anthem I Need A Man and the evocative The Apple Stretching, a beautiful song about New York. At this stage, he best Grace Jones compilation album is the one simply titled The Collection (on Spectrum), with 16 tracks.
Still, this Universal Masters Collection album is a worthwhile showcase, mostly of the art-rock/new wave side of this innovative vocalist. It would be great if Island someday issued a compilation from those first three disco albums: Portfolio, Fame and Muse. Until then, hang on to your vinyl!
"
Almost There...!
Reno | Europe (I'm not gonna say where) | 01/19/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As I said, almost there! ever since Island Life came out in 1985 there's never been a compilation of Grace's career.
Island Life was ok, even though it was missing some tracks from Grace's career, it had the necessary songs to complete a proper compilation. And with this compilation Grace's music is being re-introduced to the public eyes. The collection covers songs such as "Private Life" an exellent opening to the Parisian enigma of "I've Seen That Face Before". The compilation is fine, it also includes the lovely ballad songs "Breakdown" and "Inspiration". Plus her rocky rendition of "Love Is The Drug" she really does a very nice job with this songs. Another great song is the 12"inch version of her classic hit "Nipple To The Bottle". But what I don't understand is why "Slave To The Rhythm" and "I Need A Man" were left out?. 13 tracks including the classic hits. A fine compilation, but some missing scores was unfortuantely left out. Give it a try won't ya."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1