"Ray of Light"
returned
Madonna
's music to where it sounds best -- on the dancefloors.
, with
William Orbits
's assistance, fashioned
electronica
into
pop
music with the album and single
Ray of Light
. Like
"Vogue"
and
"Like a Prayer,"
"Ray of Light,"
which became a Top Five hit in the U.S., is often considered to be one of her crowning artistic achievements. Two singles were released for the song, one being a two-track and the other, the maxi-single, with four. The two track single had a B-side,
"Has to Be,"
which was only found on the Japanese pressing of
(the album). That B-side was not included on the maxi-single (in order to make the fans buy both), but the maxi-single did include four great remixes from the day's top DJs. The first remix, the "Sasha Ultra Violet Mix," is an almost 11-minute
-
tour de force, almost resembling
drum'n'bass
in some instances. The
William Orbit
"Liquid Mix" gives the song a 1960s
rock
/go-go spin, almost foreshadowing the feeling which
"Beautiful Stranger"
perfected one year later. The final remix, the
Victor Calderone
"Club Mix," makes the song into more of a
techno
/
house
/club anthem. As always,
employs the top DJs, remixers, and producers in order to give her songs the best remixes possible, and, on this single, she succeeds again. However, to have included single edits, and perhaps
would have made it a more complete and satisfying package. ~ Jose Promis