"Muse" is the third studio album by Jamaican-American singer Grace Jones, released in September 1979 by Island Records. It was a concept album that features a continuous suite of songs, with its title track divided into four successive tracks. It marked Jones's final album with the disco and dance-pop sounds before she shifted to new wave music.
The album takes a neat course from an aggressive, amorous beginning to a softer, more pleading end, and Grace Jones is the pilot on this electronic journey of musical worlds. Some of the popular tracks from the album include "On Your Knees," "I'll Find My Way to You," "Don’t Mess with the Messer," and the concluding piece "Atlantic City Gambler."
Despite its originality and creative production, the album received mixed reviews upon release and was not a commercial success, peaking at number 68 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. However, throughout the years, it has garnered a lot of attention and has been praised for its bold experimentation and progressive sound.
The album was produced by the famous music producer, Tom Moulton, who strived to craft a carefully arranged disco concept album that utilized various musical elements, including funk, soul, and electronic music. The iconic album cover, featuring Jones wearing a costume by Issey Miyake and body paint by Richard Bernstein, has become one of Jones's most representative images.
