Grace Jones

Produced by the great Sly & Robbie, Jones' 1980 album is a step away from the steamy clubland of her first record, moving her closer to the burgeoning New Wave scene. At the time of its recording, Jones was the true embodiment of the ultimate freakazoid, and these songs are every bit as weird, funny and brilliant as the woman herself. Just look at the cover.

When Jean-Paul Goude's chocolate-covered s&m fantasy hit the discos in 1977, she seemed more "Pretty Vacant" than "Send in the Clowns," and with DOR taking over the dance floors she admits it, moving in on the unoccupied title tune and taking it from there. With Smokey Robinson and Chrissie Hynde scripting adventures in dominance and fellow Jamaicans Shakespeare and Dunbar adding cyborgian oomph, the theoretical allure of her persona is finally made flesh. I just want to know why Barry Reynolds didn't give "Bullsh*t" to Marianne Faithfull. (Grade - B+)