Donna Summer - Crayons

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

It's been 17 years since Donna Summer last delivered an album of new material and the most surprising thing about 'Crayons' is how powerfully she manages to carry this off. Her label wanted an album of covers but Summer wanted to release new material and got her way. Not surprising really when you hear how hot some of these tunes are. This isn't a return to disco Donna but rather she's had the sense to grab hold of a pile of young new producers and create a colourful collage of new styles. It's 'Crayons' indeed! The title track is as bouncy a piece of pop as you'll hear anywhere in 2008, and on this song she's collaborating with Ziggy Marley. She's certainly prepared to take a few chances and sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn't! "Stamp Your Feet" which opens the set is a triumph and "The Queen Is Back" is a fabulous new manifesto of intent. "Fame (The Game)" has a modern more rocky sound but is a pretty obvious song about a subject that is hardly new. "Drivin' Down Brazil" however is something nice with Summer embracing some South American rhythms and her voice suits this approach. And for those watching for signs of Summer's faith on this new pop release, it's there on the closing track "Bring Down The Reign". In an industry that isn't sure how to treat its heritage artists, Donna Summer shows that talent is talent and it's possible for older artists to stay relevant and create music that is as compelling as emerging artists. It's been a long wait, but 'Crayons' has been worth waiting for!