SoulMusic Records is very proud to present a deluxe box set of the 11 Columbia and ARC albums by award-winning icon Deniece Williams released between 1976-1988. A constant presence on the contemporary music scene as a soul, pop and gospel best-selling artist and distinguished songwriter, 'Niecy' (as she's been known since her early '70s tenure with Stevie Wonder's female background vocalists Wonderlove) has racked up over 25 charted hits, all of which can be found on the eight discs that comprise this first-of-it's-kind full showcase of Deniece's distinctive and influential music. Produced by SoulMusic. Com founder David Nathan, "Free: The Columbia/ARC Recordings" includes an outstanding in-depth essay by distinguished US writer Justin Kantor, with 2021 direct comments from Deniece herself along with interview quotes from the legendary Johnny Mathis as well as an array of producers, songwriters and collaborators involved with some of Niecy's albums, such as Nathan East, Bill Neale, Greg Mathieson, Monte Moir, Michael Jeffries, Diane Warren, and Michele Val Jean specifically for this project. With stunning artwork by Roger Williams and first class mastering by Nick Robbins, this beautifully-packaged set boasts 115 tracks that display Denice Williams' soulful artistry as a pre-eminent hitmaker and creative mainstay with a global audience. Disc 1: Combining her 1976 gold-certified debut solo LP, NIECY with the follow-up SONG BIRD (1977) - the former produced by the late Maurice White (of EW&F fame) and the late Charles Stepney, the latter produced by White - the 15 tracks include the timeless classic 'Free' and Niecy's long-time show closer 'God Is Amazing'. Disc 2: An expanded edition of THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR, 1978's international best-selling LP of duets with the iconic Johnny Mathis and three bonus tracks, the across-the-board global No. 1 'Too Much, Too Little, Too Late' as well as versions of The Bee Gees-penned 'Emotion' and a 1984 rendition of Major Harris' 'Love Won't Let Me Wait'. Disc 3: WHEN LOVE COMES CALLING (1979) with production by Ray Parker Jr. #and David Foster includes the R&B/dance hit 'I've Got The Next Dance'; and 1981's MY MELODY teams Deniece with legendary Philly soul producer/songwriter Thom Bell resulting in charted singles, 'Silly' and 'It's Your Conscience'. Disc 4: Deniece and Thom Bell followed up with 1982's NIECY included one of her biggest hits, a cover of The Royalettes' 'It's Gonna Take A Miracle'; while the 1983 set I'm SO PROUD marked the beginning of Niecy's work with late musical maestro George Duke on several tracks such as the title cut, a revival of the Curtis Mayfield-penned classic. Disc 5: LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY (1984) - title track produced by George Duke - brought Deniece her biggest global smash as well as the classic 'Black Butterfly' while she began producing herself (with Greg Mathieson) for a number of cuts for the LP as well as the follow up album, 1986's HOT ON THE TRAIL. Disc 6: Standalone reissue of 1987'S WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE, produced by Steve Levine (known for his work with Culture Club and many others), features US R&B charted singles 'I Confess' and 'Never Say Never'. Disc 7: 1988's AS GOOD AS IT GETS completed Niecy's Columbia tenure, with production by Monte Moir (Of The Time), Brad Westering and George Duke and includes the Michael Jackson-co-penned 'We Are Here To Change The World' and Top 10 US R&B hit 'I Can't Wait'. Disc 8 comprises 15 tracks with a selection of single edits including the Verdine White co-penned 'Baby, Baby My Love's All For You' (1977) and 'Do What You Feel' (1983) as well as 12" disco mixes of 'I Found Love' (1979), the 12" version of 'Let's Hear It For The Boy' (1984) and 12" extended versions of 'Wiser And Weaker'(1986) and 'Never Say Never' (1987).

Tracklist:

It's Important to Me
That's What Friends Are for
How'd I Know That Love Would Slip Away
Cause You Love Me Baby
Free
Watching Over
If You Don't Believe
Time
The Boy I Left Behind
We Have Love for You
God Is Amazing
Baby, Baby My Love's All for You
Season
Be Good to Me
The Paper
You're All I Need to Get By
Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
You're a Special Part of My Life
Ready or Not
Me for You, You for Me
Your Precious Love
Just the Way You Are
That's What Friends Are for
I Just Can't Get Over You
Touching Me with Love
Too Much, Too Little, Too Late
Emotion
Love Won't Let Me Wait
I Found Love
Are You Thinking?
My Prayer
I've Got the Next Dance
Touch Me Again
When Love Comes Calling
God Knows
Like Magic
Turn Around
Why Can't We Fall in Love?
My Melody
It's Your Conscience
Silly
Strangers
What Two Can Do
Waiting By the Hotline
It's Gonna Take a Miracle
Love Notes
I Believe in Miracles
How Does It Feel
Waiting
Now Is the Time for Love
A Part of Love
Do What You Feel
I'm So Proud
So Deep in Love
I'm Glad It's You
Heaven in Your Eyes
They Say
Love, Peace and Unity
It's Okay
Let's Hear It for the Boy
I Want You
Picking Up the Pieces
Black Butterfly
Next Love
Haunting Me
Don't Tell Me We Have Nothing
Blind Dating
Wrapped Up
Whiter Than Snow
Wiser and Weaker
Hot on the Trail
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
Video
I Feel the Night
We're Together
Straight from the Heart
I Confess
Never Say Never
Water Under the Bridge
Love Finds You
Not By Chance
One Less Lonely Heart
I Believe in You
Someone for Someone
Baby This Is Love
Don't Blame It on My Heart
I Can't Wait
This Is As Good As It Gets
We Are Here to Change the World
All I Need
Memories
There's No Other
I Am Sure
It's You I'm After
Don't Stop the Love
Hold Me Tight
Free (Long Single Version)
Baby Baby My Love's All for You
(Promotional Single Version)
Silly (Single Version)
It's Your Conscience (Single Version)
It's Gonna Take a Miracle (Single Version)
Do What You Feel (Single Version)
It's Okay (Single Version)
I Found Love (12" Disco Mix)
I've Got the Next Dance (12" Disco Mix)
Let's Hear It for the Boy (12" Version)
Next Love (12" Version)
The Wiser Gets Weaker (12" Extended Version)
Never Say Never (12" Extended Version)
I Confess (12" Dance Mix)
I Can't Wait (12" Version)

UPC: 5013929089907
Label: Soulmusic Records
Release Date: 7.2.21
Format: CD

Williams, Denice - Free: Columbia / Arc Recordings 1976-1988 (CD)