There’s been a few of those around lately but this is definitely the most sociable and a suitable description for the ice queen diva’s first album in nearly 20 years. When Grace appeared in the 70s she epitomised elite New York decadence, hanging as Warhol’s muse at Studio 54 while enjoying a massive gay following. In the early 1980s she reinvented herself with Jamaica’s finest session players, enjoying massive success with the Warm Leatherette and Nightclubbing albums which, with her distinctive look, made her an icon of the times. Grace’s roof-raising appearance as one of the hits of Massive Attack’s recent Meltdown Festival heralded a maximum force comeback which is magnificently consummated by this album. From the ‘This is my voice, my weapon of choice’ introduction to ‘This Is’ there’s no mistaking those dominatrix tones which effortlessly soar into her rich singing voice. First single ‘William’s Blood’ displays a vibrant, melodic depth common to the whole album, which is produced by Grace and Ivor Guest with contributions from old muckers like Brian Eno and Sly and Robbie [unmistakable on reggae-based tracks like ‘Love You To Life’ and ‘Sunset Sunrise’]. He malevolently-atmospheric ‘Corporate Cannibal’ ranks among her best, a monstrous industrial vamp over which Grace lays into modern life. A stunning return to form.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
