Slave to the Rhythm

Recorded in December 1984 for the Slave to the Rhythm project, with Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson building a set of variations around the title song. The recording used Grace Jones's vocal, a go-go-influenced drum track, layered programming, orchestral arrangement by Richard Niles, and spoken/interview material shaped by Paul Morley. Released by Island and Manhattan in 1985, Slave to the Rhythm became one of Jones's signature singles and reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Its high-budget studio construction and Jean-Paul Goude-linked visual identity made it one of the decade's most distinctive pop-art productions. The track remains a landmark Grace Jones recording and a central example of Trevor Horn's maximal 1980s production style. Its rhythm, video imagery, and album-length concept treatment kept it influential in later discussions of art-pop, club production, fashion, and performance.