The year before 1981’s seminal ‘Nightclubbing’, Grace Jones teamed up with legendary producers Sly and Robbie to create the taut, primal reggae of ‘Warm Leatherette’. Covering tracks written by Smokey Robinson, Bryan Ferry and Chrissie Hynde amongst others, ‘Warm Leatherette’ showcases what a compelling vocalist Grace Jones is. While the music settles into a steady grove, Jones takes centre stage and demands your attention.
That said, it isn’t clear what the raft of bonus tracks add to this deluxe re-release. Other than a version of ‘She’s Lost Control’ where Jones takes the track’s title a little too literally, everything else is either a slightly longer or slightly dubbier rehash of what has gone before. A great album and a fascinating document undoubtedly, but there’s no need to spend your hard earned on a boxset when the original does everything you need already.
7/10
Words: Joe Rivers
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