8. Ray of Light - Madonna 1998
Madonna's 7th studio album is where she truly gained credibility, and appreciation from music critics and music buyers, who wouldn't have gone near one of her previous releases. It nearly didn't turn out the way it did, but then Madonna's manager and partner in her record label, Maverick Records, Guy Oseary, had an epiphany. After failing to connect with several other producers that were not getting where the singer wanted to go with 'Ray of Light', he told her to call William Orbit. What a stroke of genius that idea was. A big fan of his own work, namely the 'Strange Cargo I and II' albums, she set up a meeting and of course, he jumped at the opportunity to work with the world's most famous female singer. The Englishman seemed to understand
exactly the head space Madonna was in at the time and together the two constructed 'Ray of Light', with its predominantly, electronic and ambient sound, very much aping a lot of the Trip Hop that was extremely popular at the time. Orbit has said on many occasions that he is very grateful to Madge, for seeing what nobody else saw in him at the time, and giving him a global platform for his work. Since 'Ray of Light', high profile work has come thick and fast, in his direction. Madonna had taken intensive vocal coaching, in order to expand her vocal style and abilities, due to her lead role in the 1996 movie, 'Evita'. Also, the same year, the birth of her daughter, Lourdes, had given her a whole new outlook on life. She became very into Kaballah and Hinduism and started practicing yoga and meditation. Her new found spiritualism, influenced the overall lyrical and musical feel of this album. Although, usually introspective, with her words, it was noted that she had never been so candid before, and that her approach was much more mature than in the past. A good example of this new found perspective is perfectly encapsulated on the delightful, 'Nothing Really Matters'. The new timbre in her voice is obvious all over the albums 13 cuts, but when the delicately dark and beautiful lead single, 'Frozen', was released, it was glaring, and many a man fell in love by just hearing her singing. The new aspects in her voice also really suited her new 'Mother of the Earth' vibe that she had going on. Funnily enough, the albums title track, and second single, is, by some distance, the weakest track on display. It was a smash hit internationally though, almost doing as well as 'Frozen'. She even sings in Sanskrit, for the song 'Shanti/Ashtangi', and is very convincing. Orbit's talent for mixing guitars with electronica is superbly exploited on, 'The Power of Goodbye'. The song has an absolutely sublime synth/string refrain and the vocal melody in the chorus, is easily one of Madge's most memorable and moving. Closing track, 'Mer Girl', deals with mortality and the death of her mother, and is a logical way to close the record. 'Ray of Light', has sold 16 million copies, worldwide, and has been named by Madonna, as the favorite of her releases. With her vision, and Orbit's know-how and collaboration, it made her as relevant, if not more so, as she was at her peak in the 80's. As well as still being celebrated as a Pop-artist, now more specialist corners of the music press took notice, as well as high-brow, broadsheets, all unanimously agreeing that the album was an instant classic.