Grace+jones

Grace Jones' The Collection, released in 2004 by the Spectrum offshoot of Universal U.K., found enough room for a demo of "Ring of Fire" (a Johnny Cash cover) but decided not to include "Pull Up to the Bumper," one of the singer's biggest singles (if not the biggest). It's one of few flaws, but it is a massive flaw, and it makes the disc a wasted opportunity. Otherwise, the disc covers a lot of ground, despite cutting off at 1982 (so "Slave to the Rhythm" isn't here, either). There's plenty of Compass Point-era coverage, with her spectacular covers of the Normal's "Warm Leatherette," Roxy Music's "Love Is the Drug," and Joy Division's "She's Lost Control" present. The lack of chronological sense is another drawback.

Portfolio is the debut album by Grace Jones, released in 1977 by Island Records. It spawned her first big hit, "La Vie en rose". Having enjoyed a successful modelling career in Paris and New York in the early 1970s, Grace Jones released a series of singles throughout 1975-1976. None of them, however, managed to succeed in mainstream charts. Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977 and found wider recognition only with her debut Island LP, Portfolio. The album was recorded and mixed in Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, and released in autumn 1977 as the first of three albums made with the legendary disco record producer Tom Moulton.

Grace Jones' flamboyant outfits and statuesque looks made her one of the most unforgettable characters to emerge from New York in the late '70s. Teaming the singer/model with Chic mainman Nile Rodgers was a musical marriage made in heaven. Rodgers' sleek and funky production wrapped around Jones' deadpan and powerful delivery created some of the most memorable music of her career. With former Camera Club leader Bruce Woolley on keyboards and songwriting chores, this was a perfect blend of New York sass and New Wave sauce. 10 tracks including 'I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You)'. Inside Story would become one of Jones' greatest album successes, making the top 40 in a number of European countries.

Originally released in 1985, Island Life compiles highlights from Grace Jones' 1977 debut through 1985’s Slave to the Rhythm. It’s a concise overview that features four Top Ten U.S. club hits (“I Need a Man,” “Do or Die,” “Pull Up to the Bumper,” “Slave to the Rhythm”), as well as an additional smattering of choice cuts from her late-‘70s collaborations with Tom Moulton and her stellar ‘80s work with Sly & Robbie. It’s a decent introduction for casual fans but lacks crucial material like “Warm Leatherette” and “Nipple to the Bottle.” A later edition, dubbed Island Life 2, adds "Pars," "Feel Up," and two remixes of "Sex Drive."

It doesn't get any funkier than FUNK, 2 CDs 38 tracks by the original artists such as Kool & The Gang, Maceo And The Macks, Ohio Players, James Brown, Cameo, Parliament, The Bar-Kays, Rick James.