Grace Jones - Fame 1978

Released on June 7, 1978, Fame was the second studio album by Grace Jones and the final chapter in the disco-oriented trilogy she recorded with legendary producer Tom Moulton before reinventing herself as one of the most innovative artists of the 1980s. Recorded at the famous Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, the album continued the formula established on Portfolio, combining sophisticated disco arrangements with Grace Jones' unmistakable vocal style and commanding presence.

Produced by Tom Moulton, often referred to as the father of the disco remix, Fame features lush orchestrations, seamless medleys and the unmistakable sound of Philadelphia's finest session musicians. Like its predecessor, the first side of the original LP was presented as one continuous dance suite, moving effortlessly through Do Or Die, Pride and the title track Fame. Side two showcased Jones' remarkable versatility, opening with a dramatic interpretation of the classic Autumn Leaves, before returning to the dance floor with All On A Summer's Night, Am I Ever Gonna Fall In Love In New York City and Below The Belt. Although the singles enjoyed considerable success in clubs, the album itself has since become appreciated as one of the finest examples of late-1970s orchestral disco.

One of the album's greatest strengths is its musicianship. Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Fame features members of the celebrated Philadelphia studio scene, including Jimmy Williams on bass, Larry Washington on percussion, keyboard arranger John Davis, the renowned Sweethearts Of Sigma on backing vocals and orchestral arrangements featuring the legendary Don Renaldo Strings & Horns. Their contribution gave the album a rich, elegant sound that perfectly complemented Grace Jones' cool, sophisticated delivery.

Looking back today, Fame represents far more than another disco album. It captures Grace Jones at the moment she was transforming from successful fashion model into an international recording artist. While her later Compass Point recordings would redefine her image and influence generations of musicians, Fame remains an essential part of that journey, preserving the glamour, sophistication and dancefloor energy of the late disco era. Nearly five decades later, it continues to stand as one of the finest productions of Tom Moulton's remarkable career and an indispensable album for lovers of classic disco.

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01 Do Or Die

02 Pride

03 Fame

04 Autumn Leaves

05 All On A Summer's Night

06 Am I Ever Gonna Fall In Love In New York City

07 Below The Belt (La Vieille Fille)

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MUSICIANS

Grace Jones – lead vocals

John Davis – keyboards, arrangements

Jimmy Williams – bass

Keith Benson – drums

Larry Washington – congas & percussion

Moto – tambourine

Piggy Pigerino – violin

Sweethearts Of Sigma – background vocals (Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson & Evette Benton)

Don Renaldo Strings & Horns

Produced by Tom Moulton

Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Released: June 7, 1978

Label: Island Records

℗ 1978 Island Records lp #ILPS 9525

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Grace Jones – Muse 1979

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

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file right here on 402MB High Sound Quality