Back in 2015, Demon Music Group's Edsel label revisited five albums from British singer-songwriter Labi Siffre in a series of expanded editions.  The reissues showcased the timelessness of his writing and the versatility of his performances.  Now, Edsel has returned to the Siffre discography to complete it.  My Song is the new 9-CD box set bringing together those five previously reissued albums and bonus tracks along with four more to paint a full portrait of Siffre's artistry.

Despite a relatively small catalogue of under ten albums since 1970 - his final studio album was in 1991 and his last live album seven years later - Siffre's music has never disappeared.  Artists as diverse as Rod Stewart, Madness, Joss Stone and Kenny Rogers have all recorded his songs; hip-hop performers like Kanye West and Eminem have sampled him.  Born in 1945 London to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Siffre was brought up with a Catholic background but realized by the age of seven that he identified not with Catholicism but with atheism. He also knew by the age of four that he was gay - another factor which he recognized set him apart in the London of his youth.  Siffre persevered in the face of intolerance and found himself captivated by the jazz records in his brother's collection by the likes of Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery.  As a teenager he landed a gig in the house band at jazz singer Annie Ross' London club and then formed the trio Safari, playing his own arrangements of songs by Burt Bacharach, The Beatles, and the Motown hit factory.    While performing in Amsterdam, he attracted the attention of BBC Radio One DJ Dave Cash and then manager Peter Gormley.  Gormley, whose other clients included Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard, signed Siffre to the Festival International label which he had founded, and brokered a deal for Siffre's albums to be released in the U.K. on the venerable Pye label, home to Petula Clark and The Kinks.

His 1970 debut Labi Siffre reflected various influences including R&B, folk, jazz, pure pop, and even American country-and-western.  James Brown was one inspiration in terms of the social consciousness with which Siffre imbued his music.  He also took inspiration from Randy Newman, Laura Nyro and Harry Nilsson ("a triumvirate of great songwriters," he once noted) as well as The Beatles.  Nilsson's 1969 song "Maybe" (also recorded in 1970 by Barbra Streisand) was one of two covers on the album; The Bee Gees' "Words" was the other.  Produced by Ian Green, Labi Siffre introduced an unconventional yet inviting voice; it's bolstered on My Song with four bonus cuts.  1971's sophomore effort The Singer and the Song found Siffre sharing producing and arranging duties with Green.  The album was Siffre's first to chart (No. 48 in the U.K.) as he continued to hone and refine his voice as a singer-songwriter.  The opening "There's Nothing in the World Like Love," with Siffre on piano in front of a lush orchestration, was inspired by Bacharach and David; the song also was one of Siffre's first to explicitly avoid gender-specific lyrics.  "Thank You Lucky Star" reflected the social conscience inherent in his music.  One of the eight bonus tracks appended to the presentation here is "Fallin' for You" which shared much in common with the sound of one of Siffre's songwriting heroes, Harry Nilsson.

1972's Crying, Loving, Laughing, Lying is considered by Siffre to be "the one where it all came together."  He produced it himself, once again employing full orchestration, and it yielded two charting singles in the United Kingdom as well as becoming his second charting album (No. 47, one place higher than its predecessor).  The title track, later recorded by Rod Stewart and Olivia Newton-John, nearly cracked the top 10 at No. 11.  "It Must Be Love" fared almost as well at No. 14, but did even better when the band Madness recorded it in 1981.  Madness' rendition went to the top 5 in the U.K. and the top 40 in the States.  Siffre gave eloquent voice on the album to his deeply-felt beliefs about religion (the opening "Saved"), depression ("Cannock Chase"), and romance ("Fool Me a Goodnight").  Six songs added to past reissues of Crying have been retained as well as non-album singles "Watch Me" and "To Find Love."

Siffre's 1973 For the Children employed a more rock-based sound thanks to a band consisting of Olivia Newton-John collaborator John Farrar on guitar, The Shadows' Brian Bennett on drums, and Alan Tarney on bass.  Orchestration wasn't completely abandoned, however; Richard Hewson provided string arrangements on selected tracks.  He drew on both autobiography and then-current headlines for the album's ten ambitious, contemporary songs, detailing his belief system ("We live in a climate where the philosophy of 'belief trumps evidence' continues to blight the lives of billions of children, women, and men," he asserts in the liner notes to the box set) and lack of faith as it's often understood.  But while the artist may have been even more lyrically liberated than before, the album was no polemic.  Recorded at Abbey Road, it boasts an accessible and varied production by the artist.  For the Children turned out to be Siffre's final release on Pye for decamping to EMI, gains two non-LP B-sides ("Oh Me, Oh My, Mr. City Goodbye" and "Last Night Tonight") and one bonus track first issued in 2006, "So What."

Moving to EMI in 1974 for his fifth LP, Remember My Song, Labi surprisingly relinquished arrangement and production duties to Derek Lawrence and Big Jim Sullivan, respectively.  While the album still boasted orchestrated pop and contemporary singer-songwriter rock, it would gain notoriety for its funkier tracks.  Eminem sampled "I Got The" for his Dr. Dre-produced "My Name Is," its riff helping to propel the young rapper to superstardom.  DJs latched onto the album's breakbeats, part of Siffre's determination to expand the boundaries of his writing and sound.  On Remember My Song, he wrote in character (shades of Randy Newman, again) and stretched his songcraft, eschewing traditional forms for a looser approach.  This edition adds three bonus singles from a later period, 1981-1982.

1975's Happy marked the end of what might be considered Labi Siffre, Mk. I.  Despite the artistic success of his work with Lawrence and Sullivan, Siffre took the reins again for Happy, which until this box set had never seen physical reissue anywhere.  The front cover originally showed the artist with a dour expression, while the back artwork revealed a shot from the same session of him contented, broadly smiling.   That beaming visage is now seen on the cover, and indeed, the Happy spirit was reflected on the quirky tracks within: the danceable, bubbly "Love-a-love-a-love-a-love-a-love," doo-wop throwback "You Hurt Me," twangy, country-flavored "You've Done Something to Me," and insistently boogie-ing "Won't You Dance?"  He also indulged his raunchier side on "Doctor, Doctor."  While some of the funk flourishes remained, the bright "Superluvva" wasn't nearly as funky as its title would indicate; clearly, Siffre was following his muse wherever it took him.  Six more non-LP singles have been added to the line-up here from 1976-1980 including "Hot and Dirty in the City" which isn't a paean to sex but is rather a lament from the perspective of a homeless person; and both sides of a single from his "Labi and Jackie" duo formed with singer Jackie Beason.

Though he continued to perform live, Siffre didn't emerge with another studio album until 1988.  He was inspired by the atrocities of apartheid to pen "(Something Inside) So Strong," and observes to author Oliver Wang in the liner notes that "the song was grounded and informed by my life as a gay child, youth, and adult in a vicious, craven, homophobic country."  While he originally pitched the song to other artists, he ended up recording it himself - and it struck a major chord with listeners.  Produced by Glyn Johns (The Rolling Stones, The Who), the heartfelt single shot up to No. 4 on the U.K. Singles Chart, becoming Labi's biggest hit.  With its universal lyric speaking to the oppressed everywhere, it became a favorite of Nelson Mandela's (and Siffre even performed it for the great leader in 2001).

China Records released the album So Strong around the anthem of inspiration, with the balance of the album produced in the U.S. by David Kershenbaum (Joe Jackson, Tracy Chapman).  A generous seven bonus tracks have been included, drawn from contemporary singles.  Labi's final studio album to date, 1991's Man of Reason, also arrived on the China label.  It was a various-producers affair in the mold of the period, with tracks helmed by Labi; The Zombies' Rod Argent with Peter Van Hooke; and Mike Pela (Sade, Maxwell).  Man of Reason was a departure, with big saxophones, hip-hop rhythms, and a shimmering, glossy sound despite the numerous producers.  But the passion was evident in both Siffre's songwriting and his bold, reinvigorated vocals.  Three bonuses are featured here.  Only one more album has been released since, 1998's The Last Songs.  The album of original material was drawn from the singer-songwriter's performances at various concerts and festivals during the preceding five years.  Two bonus tracks are included.

Edsel's box set, coordinated by Val Jennings and mastered by Phil Kinrade and Haydn Bendal, is the ultimate tribute to Labi Siffre's talent.  It's one-stop shopping for newbies and a culmination of sorts for longtime fans, with its whopping 44 bonus tracks across nine discs.  (These encompass all of the tracks from Edsel's 2015 series and many more.)  The slipcased collection includes a 32-page booklet with full credits as well as Oliver Wang's essay.  Each album is packaged in an individual mini-sleeve with the original cover artwork and custom back covers.  My Song comprehensively chronicles an artist who remained true to himself over the years.  If Labi Siffre may have a distaste for the music business, he's never lost his belief in the power of song.  It's still so strong.

Labi Siffre, My Song (Edsel EDSL0069X (U.K.), 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1: Labi Siffre (1-12, released as Pye International NSPL 28135, 1970) and bonus tracks (13-16)

1. Too Late
2. Words
3. Something On My Mind
4. Maybe Tomorrow
5. You and I Should Be Together
6. I Don't Know What's Happened To The Kids Today
7. I Love You
8. Make My Day
9. A Little More Line
10. Maybe
11. River
12. Love Song For Someone
13. I Just Couldn't Live Without Her
14. Maybe When We Dance
15. Ask Me To Stay
16. Here We Are

Tracks 13-15 from EMI CD reissue 09463 56891 2 9, 2006
Track 16 from "Watch Me" single - Pye International 7N 25586, 1972

Disc 2: The Singer and The Song (released as Pye International NSPL 28147, 1971)

1. There's Nothing In The World Like Love
2. You're Lovely
3. A Number Of Words
4. Who Do You See
5. Not So Long Ago
6. The Shadow Of Our Love
7. When I'm On My Own You Are On My Mind
8. Rocking Chair
9. Interlude
10. Thank Your Lucky Star
11. Talk About
12. Relax
13. Bless The Telephone
14. Summer Is Coming
15. Goodbye

Disc 3: Crying Laughing Loving Lying (1-12, released as Pye International NSPL 28163, 1972) and bonus tracks (13-20)

1. Saved
2. Cannock Chase
3. Fool Me a Goodnight
4. It Must Be Love
5. Gimme Some More
6. Blue Lady
7. Love Oh Love Oh Love
8. Crying Laughing Loving Lying
9. Hotel Room Song
10. My Song
11. Till Forever
12. Come On Michael
13. To Find Love
14. Watch Me
15. Why Did You Go, Why Did You Leave Me?
16. You Make It Easy
17. Good Old Days
18. Pristine Verses
19. You'll Let Me Know
20. For The Lovin'

Track 13 from "It Must Be Love" single - Pye International 7N 25572, 1971
Track 14 from "Watch Me" single - Pye International 7N 25586, 1972
Track 15 from "Crying Laughing Loving Lying" single - Pye International 7N 25576, 1972
Track 16-20 from EMI CD reissue 09463 56927 2 3, 2006

Disc 4: For The Children (1-10, released as Pye NSPL 28182, 1973) and bonus tracks (11-13)

1. Somesay
2. Children Of Children
3. Entertainment Value
4. Odds and Ends
5. Prayer
6. Let's Pretend
7. Someday
8. If You Have Faith
9. For The Children
10. Give Love
11. So What
12. Oh Me Oh My Mr City Goodbye
13. Last Night Tonight

Track 11 from EMI CD reissue 0946 356887 2 6, 2006
Track 12 from "If You Have Faith" single - Pye International 7N 25629, 1973
Track 13 from "Give Love" single - Pye International 7N 25602, 1973

Disc 5: Remember My Song (1-9, released as EMI EMC 3065, 1975) and bonus tracks (10-12)

1. I Got The
2. Another Year
3. Down
4. Old Time Song
5. The Vulture
6. Dreamer
7. Sadie And The Devil
8. Turn On Your Love
9. Remember My Song
10. Run To Him
11. The Love Thing
12. Nightmare

Tracks 10-11 released as Polydor single POSP 215, 1981
Track 11-12 released as Polydor single POSP 486, 1982

Disc 6: Remember My Song (1-10, released as EMI EMC 3098, 1975) and bonus tracks (11-16)

1. Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love
2. You Hurt Me
3. Doctor Doctor
4. Second Time Around
5. Would You Dance?
6. Supaluvva
7. Staride To Nowhere
8. You've Done Something To My Heart
9. Sally Came To Stay
10. La-De-Da-De-Da (Lost Without Your Love)
11. You've Got a Hold On Me
12. Do The Best You Can
13. Hot and Dirty In The City
14. Solid Love
15. One WorldSong - Labi & Jackie
16. We Got Love - Labi & Jackie

Track 11 released on EMI single 2526, 1976
Tracks 12-13 released as EMI single 2577, 1976
Track 14 released on EMI single 2750, 1978
Tracks 15-16 released as EMI single 5023, 1980

Disc 7: So Strong (1-10, released as China/Polydor 837 369-2, 1988) and bonus tracks (11-17)

1. Listen To The Voices
2. Nothin's Gonna Change
3. I Will Always Love You
4. All I Wanna Do
5. And The Wind Blows
6. (Something Inside) So Strong
7. Lovers
8. Hard Road
9. I'm Alright
10. When You're Lonely
11. The Secret
12. Never Let You Down
13. Tragical History Tour
14. (Something Inside) So Strong (Live at The Prince's Trust Concert)
15. Listen To The Voices (Piano Version)
16. Nothin's Gonna Change (Long Version)
17. (Something Inside) So Strong (Complete Version)

Tracks 11 and 16 from "Nothin's Gonna Change" 12" single - China WOK X16, 1987
Track 12 and 14 from "Listen To The Voices" 12" single - China CHINX 9, 1988
Track 13 and 15 from "I Will Always Love You" 12" single - China CHINX 12, 1989
Track 17 from Chrysalis U.S. 12" promo 4V9-43124, 1987

Disc 8: Man Of Reason (1-10, released as China WOL 1015, 1991) and bonus tracks (11-13)

1. City Of Dreams
2. Most People Sleep Alone
3. A Matter Of Love...
4. Lovers In Arms
5. All Fall Down
6. Reason
7. When Lights Are On
8. Sensible Betrayal In The City
9. Wash Away Your Troubles In Love
10. Schooldays
11. City Of Dreams (New Version)
12. Reason (Live)
13. City Of Dreams (Extended 12" Version)

Tracks 11-12 from China Records promo single DJ WOK 2013, 1991

Disc 9: The Last Songs (1-14, released as EMI 09643 56882 2 1, 2006) and bonus tracks (15-16, previously unreleased)

1. Samaritans
2. The Dead Don't Matter
3. Everything
4. Little Boy Baby Blue
5. Lose Myself In You
6. Why Isn't Love Enough?
7. Sparrow In The Storm
8. Face To Face (A Paper Regret)
9. The Life I Got
10. Rainbow Moon
11. This Is It
12. Clinging To The Ledge
13. A Kiss In The Mirror
14. The Song To Sing
15. Everything (The OlaZayZoss™ Remix)
16. (Love Is Love Is Love) Why Isn't Love Enough?