Ice On Fire

米国のLurssen Masteringでリマスタリングされたエルトン・ジョン19枚目のスタジオ・アルバム 『Ice On Fire』 のアナログ盤リイシュー。
オリジナルは1985年11月リリース。アビイロード・スタジオでカッティング。

It seems as if Elton John was still settling on a discernable style on 1985's ICE ON FIRE. He brought in Gus Dudgeon, the architect of such elaborate, wide-screen productions as GOODBYE YELLOWBRICK ROAD, and his touch can be felt in the lush synthesized sound that dominates this record. Even the song credits, full of Simmons drums, synth-guitar, and Yamaha TX81C, attest to the slick production values. "Nikita" was the record's Top 10 single. The sweeping melody of this gentle ode to a Russian girl rides atop a percolating rhythm track. The synthesizer-drenched sound tends to place it firmly within its era, but the pull of "Nikita"'s melody is fairly irresistible. It features backing vocals by George Michael, who was at his peak of superstardom at the time. Elsewhere on the record, Elton joins forces with the rhythm section of Queen for "Too Young." The fade of "Wrap Her Up," in which Elton sings out the names of women he'd like to wrap up and take home--ranging from Princess Caroline of Monaco to Nancy Reagan--is the record's strangest moment.