Its not every month that sees the return of not one, but two of the most off kilter, unique, and in my case favourite artists, namely Grace Jones and Roots Manuva.

Manuva’s possibly the only rapper alive who when asked to sum up the spirit of his new album would explain it thus “You got to sing like no one’s listening. You gotta fart like there’s no one there to smell it!”

As for Miss Jones… well just watch the video for her new track “Corporate Cannibel” below to see that even at 60 she’s as wonderfully bonkers as ever.

Grace Jones stole the show as Jarvis Cocker’s guest at Meltdown last year (review) and although I stupidly decided not to go, she was by all accounts mesmerising when given a full set by this years Meltdown curators, Massive Attack.
“Corporate Cannibel” is her first new material for 19 years, and Grace is in full diva dominatrix flow intoning deeply… “I’m a man eating machine. I can’t get enough prey, pray for me“.
The video suits the song perfectly, but I can’t help but think director Nick Hooker pulled the pvc over Jones eyes slightly when making it.
“Yes Grace, all state of the art post production, top of the range computer effects, no expense has been spared… just stand in front of that camera and look mean“.
Cue Nick firing up his Macbook and hitting record on the Photobooth software that comes free with it!  (see my snaps opposite)

The album “Hurricane“ follows in October featuring Brian Eno, Sly & Robbie, Wally Baduru, Tony Allen and Tricky.

You can watch/download the video – which I love really – in much higher quality quicktime on Nick Hookers site, or sign up to GraceJonesTV on Youtube to catch the latest teasers for the album.

ROOTS MANUVA

After the limited edition first single “Buff Nuff“, Roots Manuva really wets the appetite for his new “Slime & Reason” LP with his next single “Again & Again“.  Caution! Every spin of this tune raises the temperature by a degree, which given that it isnt out untill the last week of August should ensure an Indian summer. An Arctic Monkey provides a remix too.

Watch Rodney talking through the new album on this YouTube documentary.
Pre-order “Slime & Reason” at Amazon
Virtually stalk Rodney by watching his twitter account (non geeks google it)
Visit Roots Manuva’s site for loads of pics, videos, and probably this post too as it features one of those hoover the internet for manuva content gizmo’s.
REPOST – Roots Manuva – “Join The Dots (Drums of Death remix)” (MP3)

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