Released on September 4, 1979, Muse marked the final chapter in Grace Jones' remarkable disco trilogy produced by the legendary Tom Moulton. Following Portfolio (1977) and Fame (1978), the album once again brought Jones to the world-famous Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, where some of the greatest soul and disco recordings of the decade had been created. It would also be the last time Jones embraced the luxurious orchestral disco sound before completely reinventing herself with the groundbreaking Warm Leatherette the following year.
By 1979, Grace Jones had become much more than an international fashion model experimenting with music. Under Tom Moulton's guidance she had developed into a unique recording artist whose commanding voice and theatrical style perfectly matched the sophisticated productions coming out of Sigma Sound. Rather than following the increasingly commercial disco trend, Muse remained firmly rooted in the elegant Philadelphia Sound, combining sweeping orchestral arrangements, rich vocal harmonies and irresistible dance grooves with Jones' unmistakable cool delivery.
Like its predecessors, the first side of the original LP was conceived as one continuous musical suite. Beginning with Sinning, flowing into Suffer, Repentance (Forgive Me) and concluding with the epic Saved, the four songs tell a loose story of temptation, guilt and redemption while maintaining an uninterrupted dancefloor momentum. Side two offers a collection of individual disco performances, highlighted by Atlantic City Gambler, Don't Mess With The Messer and the infectious club favourite On Your Knees. Although none of the singles became major chart hits, the album has steadily gained recognition among collectors as one of the finest examples of late-1970s orchestral disco.
One of Muse's greatest strengths lies in its extraordinary musicianship. Once again, Tom Moulton surrounded Grace Jones with many of the musicians who helped define the Philadelphia Sound. Bassist Jimmy Williams, percussionists Larry Washington and James Walker, guitarist Craig Snyder, arranger Thor Baldursson, the legendary Sweethearts Of Sigma and the unmistakable Don Renaldo Strings & Horns all contributed to the album's lush sonic landscape. Every note reflects the craftsmanship that made Sigma Sound Studios one of the most influential recording facilities in popular music during the 1970s.
Looking back today, Muse stands as the elegant conclusion to Grace Jones' disco years. Within twelve months she would enter Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas and completely reinvent her musical identity with the reggae, new wave and electro influences that made her an icon of the 1980s. Because of that dramatic transformation, Muse is sometimes overlooked. Yet for lovers of the Philadelphia Sound it remains an essential recording—capturing the final flowering of Tom Moulton's orchestral disco productions and preserving one of the last great albums to emerge from the golden era of Sigma Sound Studios.
Funkerman's Note
*Muse* is often overshadowed by the groundbreaking *Warm Leatherette*, yet it remains one of the finest examples of late Philadelphia disco. For collectors of the Sigma Sound era, it represents the final collaboration between Grace Jones and producer Tom Moulton before she reinvented herself for the 1980s.
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01 Sinning
02 Suffer
03 Repentance (Forgive Me)
04 Saved
05 Atlantic City Gambler
06 I'll Find My Way To You
07 Don't Mess With The Messer
08 On Your Knees
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MUSICIANS
Grace Jones – Lead Vocals
Jimmy Williams – Bass Guitar
Keith Benson – Drums
Craig Snyder – Guitar
Thor Baldursson – Keyboards, Arrangements, Guest Vocals
Larry Washington – Percussion
James Walker – Percussion
Sweethearts Of Sigma - Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson & Evette Benton
Additional Backing Vocals - Carl Helm, Phil Hurtt, Ron Tyson
Don Renaldo Strings & Horns
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Produced by: Tom Moulton
Recorded at: Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mixed by: Arthur Stoppe
Mastered by: José Rodriguez
Cover Artwork: Richard Bernstein
Photography: Eve Boman
℗ 1979 Island Records lp #ILPS 9538
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WAVE 44100Hz / 16 Bit Stereo Recording
Funkerman's Hard to Find Beats Netherlands
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