And now Hip-o Select unveils its first new catalogue set of the New Year: a deluxe edition of Diana Ross' legendary 1976 self-titled album.
Ross' first studio LP in three years, following 1973's Last Time I Saw Him, was produced by Michael Masser, who'd rose to prominence with his work on Last Time - writing the title track - as well as Motown stalwarts Hal Davis and Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. The leadoff single had been released the previous year, a sweet, irresistible song from Ross' starring role in Mahogany (1975), directed by Motown head Berry Gordy himself. The parenthetically titled "Do You Know Where You're Going To," written by Masser with legendary songwriter Gerry Goffin, was a deserved chart-topper.
But it was far from the only gem on the record. Another single, the proto-disco "Love Hangover," became another No. 1 hit. Beautiful tracks like "One Love in My Lifetime," "I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love)" and a cover of the beloved Charlie Chaplin theme "Smile" pepper the album, giving it a feel that's light but never slight.
In the tradition of previous expanded editions of solo Diana albums, Diana Ross features the original remastered album with a sweet batch of bonus tracks across two discs. Notable highlights include original single masters, the ultra-rare "Coming Home," released on a Japanese flexidisc for Coca-Cola; a cover of Elton John's stellar "Harmony" along with two unreleased tracks from the album sessions, and alternate takes of nearly every track on the original album.
Diana Ross is yours to order today, which you can do so after the jump while perusing the set's track list.
Diana Ross, Diana Ross: Expanded Edition (Hip-o Select/Motown B0016209-02, 2012)
Disc 1: Original LP, single versions and bonus tracks
- Theme from "Mahogany" (Do You Know Where You're Going To)
- I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love)
- Love Hangover
- Kiss Me Now
- You're Good My Child
- One Love in My Lifetime
- Ain't Nothin' But a Maybe
- After You
- Smile
- Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right
- Together
- I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love) (Single Version)
- Love Hangover (Single Version)
- One Love in My Lifetime (Single Version)
- To Love Again (Alternate Version)
- We're Always Saying Goodbye (Alternate Version)
- This Christmas (Alternate Version)
- Coming Home (Stereo Mix)
Disc 1, Tracks 1-11 released as Motown LP M6-861 S1, 1976
Disc 1, Track 12 was Motown A-side M-1387 F, 1976
Disc 1, Track 13 was Motown A-side M-1392 F, 1976
Disc 1, Track 14 was Motown A-side M-1398 F, 1976
Disc 1, Tracks 15-17 previously unreleased
Disc 1, Track 18 from Japanese Coca-Cola promotional flexidisc 5F-5122, 1975
Disc 2: Alternate Takes
- Theme from "Mahogany" (Do You Know Where You're Going To) (Alternate Version)
- I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love) (Alternate Version)
- Love Hangover (Alternate Version #1)
- Kiss Me Now (Alternate Version)
- You're Good My Child (Alternate Version)
- One Love in My Lifetime (Alternate Version)
- Ain't Nothin' But a Maybe (Alternate Version)
- After You (Alternate Version)
- Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right (Alternate Version)
- Together (Alternate Version)
- Theme from "Mahogany" (Do You Know Where You're Going To) (Alternate Version #2)
- Harmony
- Le Lo Li
- Go Where Your Mind Is
- Diana Ross Interview (Excerpted)
All tracks on this disc previously unreleased
RoyalScam says
I wonder if that "Love Hangover (Alternate Version #1)" is the long lost Tom Moulton mix. It's been "out there" and it's tremendous.
Tom says
Wow, never heard the Tom Moulton mix. That would be amazing to hear.
I just learned that the ship date has been pushed back on Hip-O-Select. The new date is February 7th (the website has been updated).
Robbert says
It is not!
I already asked about it here:
http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?4112-Diana-Ross-%281976%29-Deluxe-Edition
Alan T in London says
Disc 1 tracks 10 & 11 were a 1975 single. They were NEVER released on this album.
Hope I'm not too late for Hip O Select to correct their liner notes if necessary!