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Scottish singer Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie was just fifteen years old in 1964 when, under the stage name of Lulu, she made listeners want to “Shout!” with a rip-roaring rendition of The Isley Brothers’ classic.  She parlayed that memorable U.K. top ten hit into an international career that’s encompassed records, film and television roles, West End appearances, multiple books, and a concert career.  Lulu remained on Decca Records, the home of “Shout!,” for a two-year stint, departing the label in late 1966 to sign with producer Mickie Most EMI’s Columbia Records arm (not to be confused with the CBS-affiliated U.S. label).  Over the next, career-defining decade (which saw her move from Columbia to the Atco and Chelsea labels) Lulu recorded her signature song “To Sir with Love,” appeared in the film of the same name, and championed songs by Elton John, Neil Diamond, Randy Newman, and The Bee Gees.  Yet following the 1982 album Take Me to Your Heart Again (one of three 1979-1982 albums sadly still unavailable on CD), Lulu retreated from the recording studio.  She returned with a vengeance in 1993 with the Dome Records release Independence.  Now, that album has returned from Cherry Red in a definitive 4CD/DVD edition out this Friday, July 24.

Dome’s Peter Robinson had a vision for Independence which Lulu was quick to embrace, blending ballads meant to showcase her expressive voice with dancefloor romps meant to re-establish the singer in the club space.  It was clear that they succeeded when the throbbing Winston Sela/Leon Ware-penned title track topped Music Week’s U.K. Airplay chart while going top ten on two other MW charts as well as No. 11 on the U.K. Singles Chart.  (It repeated its success in America, too, reaching No. 3 on the Dance survey.)  The songs comprising the original 12-track Independence album were well and carefully chosen, encompassing covers that weren’t overly familiar (Dana Walden’s “How ‘Bout Us,” a 1981 hit for Champaign; Ken Stover’s “I’m Back for More,” first recorded by Marlena Shaw; and Kerry Chater and Michael Jay’s “Rhythm of Romance,” previously cut but later shelved by Sheena Easton) and original songs alike.

Lulu’s ex-husband Maurice Gibb teamed with brothers Barry and Robin for the driving “Let Me Wake Up in Your Arms,” which was heard on the album in two versions including a reprise mixed by Frankie Knuckles.  Prolific lyricist Allee Willis joined with Sami McKinney and Kenny Moore to write the brassy “There Has Got to Be a Way,” and Ruby Turner offered “Restless Moods” which she later recorded herself.  Lulu penned “I’m Walking Away” with Steve DuBerry, with whom she had written the Tina Turner hit “I Don’t Wanna Fight.”  (Lulu’s own version was the B-side of “How ‘Bout Us” and is among the copious bonus material here.)  With the productions all tailored to Lulu’s voice as well as the modern soundscapes, the singer sounded refreshed and reinvigorated throughout the album.  Such songs as “I’m Back for More” (featuring Bobby Womack as Lulu’s duet partner) and “Independence” neatly summing up a triumphant return to contemporary music.

Although a second album didn’t materialize for Dome, Lulu recorded a wealth of non-LP material for Dome which is collected on Disc 2 of this mega-set.  (Additional bonus studio material is heard on Disc One following the original album sequence, as well.)  These songs are strong as those on the original album including a cover of Bell & James’ “This Time Baby” (memorably recorded by The O’Jays and Jackie Moore), the Albert Hammond co-write “Take a Piece of My Heart,” and numerous songs authored by Lulu and brother Billy Lawrie.  Also included is Take That’s revival of Dan Hartman’s “Relight My Fire” on which Lulu provided guest vocals.  As Dome serviced Independence and its related singles to the clubs, remixes were plentiful – and this edition compiles over two dozen of them as well as single edits.  (Unbelievably, even a set of this magnitude can’t contain every remix of the Dome-era songs; also left out is a live version of “Shout!” from the Take That Pops tour, though “Goodbye Baby and Amen” from the same Birmingham show is present.)   This impressive package continues with a DVD (NTSC, playable worldwide) which compiles fifteen promotional videos plus television appearances on such BBC programs as Top of the Pops, Pebble Mill at One, and Steve Wright’s People Show.

All five discs are housed in individual sleeves within a clamshell box beautifully designed by Meriel Waissman incorporating the art elements from the original Independence.  Barney Ashton-Bullock has curated the set for Cherry Red and Strike Force Entertainment in lovingly exhaustive fashion, also writing the liner notes in the thick, 48-page booklet.  The booklet also includes full lyrics, credits, photos, archival comments from Lulu, and memorabilia such as original press releases.  (All that’s missing is discographical annotation for each track.)  Oli Hemingway has newly mastered the audio.

The new Independence is a stunning tribute to a perennial artist whose last studio album, Making Life Rhyme, arrived in 2015.  Lulu has now been doing that for 60 years with no signs of stopping.  Independence is out Friday from Cherry Red. You’ll find pre-order links and the track listing below.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Lulu, Independence: Expanded Edition (Cherry Red/Dome DOME5BX355, 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1
Original Album (Dome CD1, 1993)

1. Independence (Brothers in Rhythm Radio Mix) (included on CDDOME117, 1998)
2. There Has Got to Be a Way
3. Restless Moods
4. I’m Back for More – Lulu & Bobby Womack
5. How ‘Bout Us (12″ Nick Martinelli Version)
6. Until I Get Over You
7. Let Me Wake Up in Your Arms
8. You Left Me Lonely
9. Rhythm of Romance
10. I’m Walking Away
11. A Place to Fall
12. Let Me Wake Up in Your Arms (Romantic Reprise)
13. Independence (Noise Boys Remix / Radio Mix) (included on CDDOME117, 1998)
14. I’m Back for More (Single Version) – Lulu & Bobby Womack (from CDDOME1002, 1993)
15. How ‘Bout Us (Single Mix) (from DOME 1007, 1993)
16. Rhythm of Romance (12″ Version) (source TBD)
17. Relight My Fire (Radio Version) – Take That ft. Lulu (from RCA single 74321 17033 2, 1993)

Disc Two
Non-Album Tracks

1. Every Woman Knows (Radio Version) (from CDDOMES 1013, 1994)
2. Goodbye Baby and Amen (Brothers in Rhythm Radio Version) (from CDDOME 1011, 1994)
3. This Time Baby (Soul City Single Mix) (included on Absolutely, DOMECD11, 1997)
4. Take a Piece of My Heart (included on CDDOME117, 1998)
5. Don’t Break My Heart – Lulu ft. Nu Colours (included on I’m Back for More, DOMECD18X, 1999)
6. Some People (included on Absolutely, DOMECD11, 1997)
7. Save Your Soul (included on Absolutely, DOMECD11, 1997)
8. I Don’t Wanna Fight (from CDDOME1007, 1993)
9. Independence (C J Mackintosh Radio Mix) (from Dome single CDDOME1001, 1993)
10. Relight My Fire (Element Remix) – Take That ft. Lulu (from RCA single 82876760602, 2005)
11. Goodbye Baby and Amen (Live Vocal Version) (from CDDOMES 1013-2, 1994)
12. Every Woman Knows (Loveland Remix – Short Version) (from CDDOMES 1013-2, 1994)
13. Independence (Michele Chiavarini and DJ Spen IndepenDance Remix) (released digitally, no cat. no., 2023)
14. How ‘Bout Us (Lovers Remix) (from CDDOME 1007, 1993)
15. Rhythm of Romance (7″ Version) (source TBD)
16. Relight My Fire (Full Length Version) – Take That ft. Lulu (from RCA single 74321 17033 2, 1993)

Disc Three
Dance Remixes #1

1. Independence (Brothers in Rhythm Club Mix) (from Dome single CDDOME1001, 1993)
2. Every Woman Knows (Sure Is Pure Club Remix) (from Dome 12” single 12DOME 1003, 1994)
3. Goodbye Baby and Amen (Brothers in Rhythm 12″ Mix) (from CDDOME 1011, 1994)
4. I’m Back for More (Errol Henry Club Mix) – Lulu & Bobby Womack (from CDDOME1002, 1993)
5. Independence (C J Mackintosh Remix) (from Dome single CDDOME1001, 1993)
6. Every Woman Knows (Think Twice Remix) (from CDDOMES 1013, 1994)
7. How ‘Bout Us (Administrators Remix) (from 12” single 12DOME 1007, 1993)
8. Independence (Tony Humphries Lulu’s Free Dub) (included on CDDOME117, 1998)
9. Goodbye Baby and Amen (Nick and Stone’s Elite Mix) (from CDDOME 1011, 1994)
10. This Time Baby (Platinum Mix) (from 12” single 12DOME 1007, 1993)
11. Independence (NL Philly Groove Mix) (source TBD)
12. Let Me Wake Up in Your Arms (Frankie Knuckles Classic Mix) (from CDDOME 1005, 1993)

Disc Four
Dance Remixes #2

1. Every Woman Knows (Loveland’s Full On Vocal 12″ Mix) (from Dome 12” single 12DOME 1003, 1994)
2. Independence (Northern Noise Boys Remix) (included on CDDOME117, 1998)
3. Goodbye Baby and Amen (K-Klass Klub Mix) (from CDDOME 1011, 1994)
4. I’m Back for More (Bob Jones Club Mix) – Lulu & Bobby Womack (from CDDOME1002, 1993)
5. Every Woman Knows (Manor 12″ Mix) (from CDDOMES 1013-2, 1994)
6. Independence (Mackapella Mix) (from CDDOME 1001, 1993)
7. This Time Baby (Soul City Mix) (from CDDOME 1007, 1993)
8. Every Woman Knows (Think Twice Freedom Mix) (from 12” single 12DOMEDJ 1013, 1994)
9. There Has Got to Be a Way (Drizabone Remix) (from CDDOME 1005, 1993)
10. Goodbye Baby and Amen (K-Klass Pharmacy Dub) (from 12” single 12DOME1011, 1994)
11. Every Woman Knows (Loveland’s Deep in the Dub Mix) (from Dome 12” single 12DOME 1003, 1994)
12. Relight My Fire (Late Night Mix) – Take That ft. Lulu (from RCA single 74321 17033 2, 1993)

Disc Five
DVD – LuluVision – Promo Videos & BBC Appearances

1. Independence – Promo Video
2. I’m Back for More – Lulu & Bobby Womack – Promo Video
3. Let Me Wake Up in Your Arms – Promo Video
4. Relight My Fire – Take That ft. Lulu – Promo Video
5. How ‘Bout Us – Promo Video
6. This Time Baby – Promo Video
7. Goodbye Baby and Amen – Promo Video
8. Every Woman Knows – Promo Video
9. Relight My Fire (Element Remix) – Take That ft. Lulu – Promo Video
10. Independence – BBC Top of the Pops
11. I’m Back for More – Lulu & Bobby Womack – BBC Top of the Pops
12. Every Woman Knows – BBC Steve Wright’s People Show
13. How ‘Bout Us – BBC Pebble Mill
14. I Don’t Wanna Fight – BBC Pebble Mill
15. The Independence Album Press Interview

All discographical annotation is to the best of our knowledge, and some errors or omissions may exist.