Ray of Light
Released February 22, 1998
Recorded June–November 1997
Studio Larrabee North Studio
(North Hollywood, California, U.S.)
Genre
Electronica techno-pop
Length 66:52
Label
Maverick Warner Bros.
Producer
Madonna William Orbit Patrick Leonard Marius de Vries
Ray of Light is the seventh studio album by American singer Madonna. It was released in Japan on February 22, 1998 by Maverick and Warner Bros. Records and worldwide on March 3, 1998. After giving birth to her first child, Madonna started working on the album with producers Babyface and Patrick Leonard. Following failed sessions with them, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with English producer William Orbit. The recording process was the longest of Madonna’s career and experienced problems with Orbit’s hardware arrangement, which would break down, and recording would have to be delayed until they could be repaired.
A departure from her previous work, Ray of Light is an electronica and dance album which incorporates multiple genres, including ambient, trip hop and Middle Eastern music. Vocally, the album saw Madonna sing with greater breadth and a fuller tone. Mystical themes are also strongly present in both the music and lyrics, as a result of Madonna embracing Kabbalah, her study of Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as her daily practice of Ashtanga Yoga.
The album received universal acclaim with reviews commending the singer’s new musical direction. Called her “most adventurous” record, Ray of Light has been noted for its introspective, spiritual nature; reviewers also praised Madonna’s vocals. Ray of Light won four Grammy Awards from a total of six nominations. Commercially, the album peaked at number one in many countries, such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. On the US Billboard 200, the album debuted and peaked at number two, with the biggest first week sales by a female artist at the time. Ray of Light has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide.
Five singles were released from the album, including the international hits “Frozen” and “Ray of Light”. The album’s promotion was later supported by the Drowned World Tour in 2001. Academics have noted the album’s influence on popular music, and how it introduced electronica into mainstream pop culture. They also noted Madonna’s musical re-invention which helped her remain contemporary among the teen-marketed artists of the period. Ray of Light is frequently cited by music critics as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Track listing
Ray of Light – Standard edition
1. “Drowned World/Substitute for Love”
Madonna William Orbit Rod McKuen Anita Kerr David Collins
Madonna Orbit
5:09
2. “Swim”
Madonna Orbit
Madonna Orbit
5:00
3. “Ray of Light”
Madonna Orbit Clive Muldoon Dave Curtiss Christine Leach
Madonna Orbit
5:21
4. “Candy Perfume Girl”
Madonna Orbit Susannah Melvoin
Madonna Orbit
4:34
5. “Skin”
Madonna Patrick Leonard
Madonna Orbit Marius de Vries
6:22
6. “Nothing Really Matters”
Madonna Leonard
Madonna Orbit de Vries
4:27
7. “Sky Fits Heaven”
Madonna Leonard
Madonna Orbit Leonard
4:48
8. “Shanti/Ashtangi”
Madonna Orbit
Madonna Orbit
4:29
9. “Frozen”
Madonna Leonard
Madonna Orbit Leonard
6:12
10. “The Power of Good-Bye”
Madonna Rick Nowels
Madonna Orbit Leonard
4:10
11. “To Have and Not to Hold”
Madonna Nowels
Madonna Orbit Leonard
5:23
12. “Little Star”
Madonna Nowels
Madonna de Vries
5:18
13. “Mer Girl”
Madonna Orbit
Madonna Orbit
5:32
Personnel
Unless otherwise indicated, Information is adapted from the album’s liner notes.[133]
Madonna – vocals (2-5, 7-13, lead on 1, 6), composer, producer
Craig Armstrong – string arrangements (9-10)
Mike Bradford – programming
David Collins – composer
Pablo Cook – flute (2)
Dave Curtis – composer
Mark Endert – engineer
Fergus Gerrand – drums (1-2), percussion (13)
Kerosene Halo – design
Niki Haris – background vocals (6)
Vyass Houston – translation
Jon Ingoldsby – engineer
Ted Jensen – mastering
Suzie Katayama – conductor
Anita Kerr – composer
Christine Leach – composer
Patrick Leonard – additional music arranger (9), composer, producer
Donna De Lory – background vocals (6)
Curtiss Maldoon – composer
Patrick McCarthy – engineer
Rod McKuen – composer
Susannah Melvoin – composer
Marc Moreau – guitar (5)
Rick Nowels – composer
William Orbit – composer, producer, sound effects
Kevin Reagan – art direction, design
Dave Reitzas – engineer
Steve Sidelnyk – additional drum machine (6, 12)
Matt Silva – engineer
Eddie Stern – translation
Mario Testino – photography
Marius de Vries – keyboards (9), music programming (9), producer
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