Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsWhich CD Release is the Best
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2016
Although not especially a fan of Grace Jones, I've always enjoyed this concept album -- masterfully produced by Trevor Horn -- that takes the title song through several permutations and ends with an explosive flourish. There are several excellent reviews already posted here that delve into the music and individual tracks. My posting is to clear up some of the confusion over which CD is the "complete" release, and to comment on the sound quality.
Unfortunately, Amazon lumps all the reviews together regardless of which date, remix, or remastering is listed. I can't comment on the LMLR label's vinyl replica release as I have not heard it, but if it is related in any way to the Culture Factory replicas it should be avoided like the plague (massive brickwall compression is the hallmark of all Culture Factory remasters I have heard). The LMLR, however, does include the interview snippets that are missing from some of the earlier CD releases.
Despite what a couple of posters have written, the older Island Masters CD release [IMCD 65 (842 612-2)] also includes all the interview material, and the mastering is excellent. It is very lightly compressed and boasts great dynamics. You only need to turn up the volume a few notches if you want to hear it extra loud, and unlike brickwalled CDs it still sounds great when cranked up. In short, I recommend the Island Masters CD, which as of this writing can still be had cheap.
