An expanded reissue of Jimmy Somerville’s 1999 solo album Manage the Damage recently arrived as a 3-CD set from Cherry Red’s Strike Force Entertainment imprint.  The former Bronski Beat and Communards vocalist’s third solo album, it was his first after leaving his longtime home of London Records.  The parting hadn’t been entirely amicable; Somerville is quoted in the new reissue’s liner notes as having observed at the time of its release, “It was once easier to market me, but times have changed.  Now I am an older gay man, I am more difficult.  The final straw came when they [London] accused me of being too gay.”

Embracing both his true self and his newfound artistic freedom, Somerville recorded Manage the Damage in his home studio, aided primarily by his computer and the presence of his friend and co-writer Sally Herbert, one-half of The Banderas and a previous collaborator of the Communards.  Lyrically, the album was the artist’s most intensely personal yet, as he came to terms with heartache and pain, and addressed his determination to move forward.  He shared his unfiltered voice, unencumbered by the restrictions placed upon him by his former label.  Not every song could be deemed autobiographical, but Manage the Damage felt unified by its unflinching musical snapshots balancing both the dark and the light.  While most of the album was played by Somerville with programming by Herbert, additional musicians were enlisted to add guitars, strings, and brass to a handful of tracks.

SFE’s expanded reissue features the original album (first released on the independent Gut Records) on Disc One, bolstered by four B-sides and four single remixes.  The second disc has the transitional singles released by Somerville between his London studio album Dare to Love and Manage the Damage, plus various dance remixes for a total of 11 tracks.  The third disc offers more of the dance remixes from the 1997-1999 period, plus two single edits, a club instrumental, and a performance of the album’s “Something to Live For” with the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus.

The expanded reissue of Manage the Damage is housed in a slipcase with new cover artwork; each of the three disc sleeves is adorned with unique artwork including the original album art on CD 1.  Compilation coordinator Barney Ashton-Bullock has provided the new liner notes within the full-color 32-page booklet; the booklet also contains lyrics for the album, full credits, and copious photographs.  Oli Hemingway has handled the remastering.  The set has been released in conjunction with Somerville and his team.

Jimmy Somerville made art of his decision to Manage the Damage in his life; twenty years later, the bold synthpop album is still a strong artistic statement from a driven artist.  Cherry Red/SFE’s reissue can be ordered at the links below!

Jimmy Somerville, Manage the Damage [3-Disc Expanded Edition] (Strike Force Entertainment/Cherry Red SFE075T, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1: Manage the Damage (originally released as Gut Records GUTCD8, 1999) and bonus tracks

1. Here I Am
2. Lay Down
3. Dark Sky
4. My Life
5. Something to Live For
6. This Must Be Love
7. Girl Falling Down
8. Someday Soon
9. Eve
10. Stone
11. Rolling
12. Blame
13. I Believe
14. Tear Fool
15. Moving On
16. Lay Down (Almighty Radio Edit)
17. Something to Live For (Sounds of Life Full Vocal Radio Mix)
18. Safe (Todd Terry 7-Inch)
19. Dark Sky ’98

CD 2: Club Root Beer: The Dance Remixes

1. Something to Live For (Sounds of Life Full Vocal Club Mix)
2. Safe (Todd Terry Long Session)
3. Dark Sky (S&H Mix)
4. Lay Down (Sounds of Life Remix)
5. Something to Live For (Wayne G’s Heaven Mix)
6. Safe (DJ Tonka 12-Inch)
7. Dark Sky (J&S 12-Inch Peg’s Study Mix)
8. Lay Down (Almighty Vocal Club Mix)
9. Safe (DJ Dovski Extended Mix)
10. Dark Sky (Tony De Vit Mix)
11. Safe (Todd Terry Dub)

CD 3: Club Root Beer: Further Remixes Plus

1. Lay Down (Hoop Laid Up Mix)
2. Something to Live For (Extended Mix)
3. Dark Sky (Dillon and Dickins Mix)
4. Safe (Get Far Mix)
5. Lay Down (Bonus Disco Mix)
6. Something to Live For (Radio Mix)
7. Dark Sky (Only Child Mix)
8. Safe (Todd Terry 12-Inch)
9. Lay Down (Video Edit)
10. Something to Live For (Sounds of Life Dub Mix)
11. Dark Sky (Sure Is Pure Mix)
12. Safe (DJ Tonka Instrumental)
13. Something to Live For (with the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus)