- Title: SPAIN: MADONNA RETURNS TO THE MUSIC SCENE WITH A NEW ALBUM "RAY OF LIGHT"
- Date: 2nd March 1998
- Summary: (FILE) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) MADONNA SINGING "DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA" FROM BALCONY
- Embargoed: 17th March 1998 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Reuters ID: LVAC620R92J6LSRKZMNUYU0AMQH3
- Story Text: Madonna, the eternal chameleon, has returned to the music scene with a new identity, a new management team and a new album, "Ray of Light".
The songstress appeared in Madrid on Monday (March 2) to promote "Ray of Light", her first collection of all-new material since 1994's "Bedtime Stories".
The album, claimed by many to be her best yet, has spawned the debut single "Frozen".
The song has already reached number 1 in the UK, making it Madonna's eighth UK chart-topper in 13 years.
In the United States, the single reached number 31 in last week's Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart, despite being on very limited release.
Music critics predict the album is set to reassert the pop diva's pole position in the music world.
Madonna recorded her new album with British producer William Orbit, who first collaborated with the singer on the "Justify My Love" remix.
In the eyes of the world, Madonna, 39, turned from wild and often controversial pop star to "earth mother" following the birth of her daughter Lourdes in 1996.
The singer, however, denies that she has reinvented herself for the latest album.
"What I've been doing is slowly revealing myself, taking off the layers and getting closer to who I really am," she said.
News of her pregnancy broke while she was filming for the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice hit "Evita" in which she played Eva Peron alongside Antonio Banderas and Jonathon Price.
Following the birth of her daughter, Madonna took some time off.
"It gave me this waiting period that I really needed where I could sit back and examine things," the singer revealed.
During that break, Madonna started listening to electronic music.She decided to adopt the techno sound and with the help of William Orbit introduce "intimacy" to the music.Together they worked on the song "Drowned World".
It was the first song on the album.Madonna said she liked its sound so much that she decided to base the entire album along the same lines.
In a surprise move, Madonna split with long time manager Freddy DeMann and finalised a deal with Cliff Burnstein and Peter Mensch, who head the New York based Q Prime Firm.
The new team are best known for their success in the heavy metal field with groups such as Metallica and Def Leopard.
Now, the ever-transforming artist is back and singing to a new tune; one which seems to be heavily influenced by the British cultural scene.
The transformation fits with the sound of her new album, which is already being called her most personal and strongest work ever.
The accolades are a far cry from her beginnings in 1983 when few thought that the pop star would sustain a career that has spanned 15 years and appears to still be going strong. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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