‘GRAVITY’--HIP, HOT & SWEATY SOUL

“GRAVITY.” James Brown. Scotti Brothers.

It would be nice to report that the new album from the hardest-working sex machine in show business marks the same kind of full-scale comeback turned in in recent times by some other fellow soul survivors.

Not only nice but true, too--”Gravity” seems destined to be the dance-floor sensation of the season, if not a major radio hit, successfully updating Brown’s traditional perspiration value with only the necessary minimum of pop production value. Move over, Tina and Aretha. Hunh!

Last winter’s smash single, “Living in America,” is here, along with seven other tracks all likewise produced and co-written by Dan Hartman. Commercial heavyweights Alison Moyet, Steve Winwood and Stevie Ray Vaughan all turn in guest appearances, but this is a far less mainstream affair than that might indicate. Most of the tracks have that familiar, steady post-disco beat--with the notable exception of the terrifically frantic “Turn Me Loose, I’m Doctor Feelgood”--and Village People-style male choruses, but there are plenty more horns than synthesizers, and any record with this many sax solos is welcome at any disco in our neighborhood.

“You want deep? I’ll show you deep!” promises Brown, trading vocal lines with Moyet early on--and surprisingly, the songs are more social than sexual; in fact, this might be one of the least libidinous dance records this year. But with Brown, sensitivity and even sincerity aren’t paramount--the make-or-break factor is the sweat quotient, and the hopped-up grunting ‘n’ groaning delivers the goods here.

This comeback shouldn’t seem as much of a surprise as it does, though. After all, the stage act where the valet brings Brown his cape, only to have the singer shake it off and come back for more, is the most famous fake-exit routine in show business.