Free - The Columbia/Arc Recordings 1976-1988: 8CD Clamshell Boxset

When Deniece Williams released Free, a sparkling ballad of independence and appropriately the artists hard-earned Top 40 breakthrough as a singer and songwriter, it began a prolific 13-year run with Columbia Records. That affiliation is compiled in thorough and loving style by SoulMusic Records with Free: The Columbia/ARC Recordings 1976-1988. Although most of the 11 studio albums that form the basis of the set were individually reissued in the 2010s, and the two-disc Black Butterfly: The Essential Niecy served as an ideal summation, this set puts it all together and goes beyond for a bargain. Whats more, an extra disc is filled to capacity with 7 edits and 12 extended versions, and the accompanying booklet is up to SoulMusics high standard with comprehensive information and analysis that incorporates quotes from Williams and many of her musical partners. Although Williams hit the Top 40 only three more times with the chart-topping Johnny Mathis duet Too Much, Too Little, Too Late, Its Gonna Take a Miracle, and second number one Lets Hear It for the Boy, the four-octave soprano was a constant presence on Black radio, with each one of her LPs a source of up to three charting singles. Despite additional radio staples like What Two Can Do, Silly, and Do What You Feel, Williams still wasnt fully appreciated by Stateside programmers; its most confounding that the rapturous original version of Thats What Friends Are For, off the spectacular debut produced by Charles Stepney and Earth, Wind & Fires Maurice White, did not catch on (while it became Williams second big hit in the U.K.). Furthermore, Williams albums -- the first few especially -- are almost as generous with deep gems as they are with hits. Among these are the irresistible Howd I Know That Love Would Slip Away, the two brilliant numbers that start second LP Song Bird, and the lively David Foster collaboration When Love Comes Calling, along with numerous glowing faith-themed songs that led to Williams first Grammy-winning gospel recordings for the Sparrow label, which occurred toward the end of this period. In more than one way, this eight-disc box complements another SoulMusic release, the Emotions Dont Ask My Neighbors: The Columbia/ARC Recordings 1976-1981. Williams co-wrote Youre a Special Part of Me for the Emotions Flowers, another 1976 Stepney/White production, and Williams labelmates subsequently covered Howd I Know That Love Would Slip Away. ~ Andy Kellman