Grace Jones kicks off Island gigs

By Jo Youle
6 Music News reporter

Grace Jones released her first new album for 20 years in November

More than three decades after signing up to the label that launched her career into the big league, Grace Jones has celebrated Island Records landmark 50th year in London.

The singing powerhouse stalked on stage at the Shepherd's Bush Empire for a two song set which included her 80s hit Pull Up to the Bumper.

Jones shared the bill with a crop of Island artists, which included Sly & Robbie, Aswad, The I-Threes, Tinchy Stryder, Kid Creole and the Coconuts and VV Brown.

Commanding the space, the 62-year-old towered above the gathered crowd on a purpose built platform in a black leotard, leaving Madonna's recent efforts firmly in the shade.

In what resembled a sparkling spaceship style hat, silver-tubed waistcoat and mask, she pulled off yet another trademark transformation with a physique that seemed to have defied the force of gravity.

Marley influence

Grace also sang the opening lyrics to Bob Marley's One Love, which saw the late reggae star's wife, Rita take over with her fellow I-Three's to finish the track, which was the last song performed on the night.

Rita had earlier belted out a medley of Bob Marley tracks with her old I-Three band mates, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt including We're Jammin', No Woman No Cry and Redemption Song.

The trio provoked one of the biggest reactions of the night, as most artists referenced Marley - one of the biggest signings on the prolific label.

Kid Creole set a colourful tone for the night, dressed in a purple suit and black pork pie hat, backed by a noticeably younger trio of Coconuts, who he described as, "the children of the original coconuts."

He also made time to cover a version of My Boy Lollipop, a song that label founder Chris Blackwell discovered back in the 60s, recorded by Jamaican teen singer Millie Small.

Mixed crowd

Chris Blackwell, pictured with Rita Marley, brought reggae to the masses

This was a song that also acted as an initial financial lynch pin for the Jamaican label, as it stormed to the top of the charts both in the UK and America, raking in millions of pounds.

This label's success across musical genres was clear for all to see at the West London venue, marked by a mixed race crowd from all ages.

The suited and booted fans looked just as happy shaking their booty, reggae style, next to the dreadlocked die-hard fans of Sly and Robbie.

VV Brown put in a one track appearance to sing Papa, packing very little punch compared to Aswad.

They made a huge comeback singing their number one hit Don't Turn Around backed by Sly and Robbie.

The concerts to mark Island's 50th continue all week with bands like The Fratellis and Bombay Bicycle Club taking over the birthday celebrations.