I play this in my bose cd player in my car every friday when I leave work..why you ask? This is some of Diana's greatest work.. the writers and producers of this cd were the best in this day.. digitally remastered and crystal clear...she is the boss!
March 14, 2008Here's another classic album in my collection that's just made the transition from vinyl to CD. Written, arranged and produced by the incredibly talented husband & wife duo Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, the album includes gems like "No One Gets The Prize", "The Boss", "Once In The Morning", "Sparkle" and of course, the massive hit "It's My House". I still remember the first time I head "It's My House". It was the summer of '79, I was 16 and I'd been invited to a garden party in the G.R.A. part of Ikeja, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. I got out of the taxi and I heard it whispering seductively from the speakers. The thumping bass lines seemed to be coming from somewhere else altogether. I stood rooted to the spot and didn't move a muscle until the song had finished. I don't remember anything about the party itself, strangely enough, but I will never forget that moment. I searched for and bought the album the following Monday. Happy days.
This is another example of good music that has stood the test of time, as good music always does. 29 years later and I'm still feeling this album. Diana Ross is/was a superstar. She's a legend in every sense of the word but she was never one of my favourite vocalists. Apart from some classic Motown stuff from the 60s, "Endless Love" her duet with Lionel Richie on CD single and the Chic-produced Diana, this is the only other thing I ever owned by her.
In the right hands however, even I concede she can sound phenomenal. She sounds phenomenal here.
Valerie Simpson takes care of the piano duties - and does a fantastic job of it too - and fans of guitarist Eric Gale, bassist Anthony Jackson and saxophonist Michael Brecker will be pleased to know that they all appear on the session list. An overall great purchase. I even welcome the bonus tracks - extended 12" remixes of "The Boss" and "It's My House" - and it's not very often I do that.
Maybe you're a child of the 70s like I am or just a fan of the music from that era. Either way, this one is highly recommended.
February 11, 2008This album is one of my all time favourites by any artist. Diana is at her peak and the music has been sent direct from heaven courtesy of legendary writers Ashford & Simspon. I still get goosebumps when I play the classic dance numbers "No One Gets The Prize", "The Boss", "I Ain't Been Licked" and the smooth mid-tempo grooves of "It's My House" and "Once In The Morning". And the ballads are wonderful too - esp "All For One". We went and saw Diana live in concert in Melbourne and Sydney just a week ago (Nov 2006) and the crowds went wild when Diana belted out "The Boss" and esp when she let loose with her vocal dynamics at the end just like on the 12" extended single (included on this CD) - of course a standing ovation and a stunning vocal that everyone deserves to hear/feel. My three favourites on the album are "No One Gets The Prize", "Once In The Morning" and "It's My House" - all glorious productions. Diana fan or not, do yourself a favour and buy this classic album!
November 12, 2006 |  | "THE BOSS" IS A CLASSIC~BRAVO DIANA !!! |  |
When Diana Ross went into the studio to lay down the tracks for this delicious classic that I have loved since its release, this great singer was in rare form and did some of the most inspired singing of her long and totally brilliant career...from the opening "No One Get's The Prize" it is clear that this is going to be one hell of a ride with a legendary singer in top form!!! Diana is loose, funky and supremely soulful and the material and arrangements are equally inspired and superb. The follow up release "Diana" which is another tremendous classic went through the roof but "THE BOSS" has always been my personal favorite from this Supremely Talented Diva...next track is the ultimate survival athem and "I Ain't Been Licked" is another reason why "The Boss" is the ultimate musical treasure chest of classic performances as Diana infuses this great song with a edgy and urgent vocal that is nothing less than stunning...one of those incredibly great songs that you will play over and over and love it more with each listen...Diana needs to get back into the studio with Ashford and Simpson as they are a match made in musical heaven..."All For One" is another glorious track with Diana in top ballad form infusing this classic song one with a completely gorgeous and passionate vocal performance that is nothing less than brilliant...title track "The Boss" is another song turned into an athem by Miss Ross as she infuses this great song with a tremendous vocal that is loose and wildly soulful...every song in this great collection is a winner and this is a must have for anyone who enjoys a legendary singer at the peak of her wonderous powers...BRAVO DIANA and thanks for this wonderful musical treat that is your complete masterpiece for us all to savor and enjoy until the next one...a great companion to this awesome CD is the Import DVD "Diana Ross In Concert" which is a incredibly great HBO special taped in Las Vegas during "The Boss" tour and this amazing 80 minute tour-de-force performance hopefully will be released in the US!!!
October 10, 2006This album is the greatest achievement of Diana Ross' career. Miss Ross sings in a way that she has ever in her career. From the opening track, "No One Get's the Prize," to the title track and especially, "Once In the Morning," every vocal is a thrilling surprise. The vocals on every track show that Ross can sing the way she's always demonstrated during her live performances, but seldom on records. This record is one of Ashford and Simpson's best production, along with Gladys Knight & the Pips', "About Love." If you are a new Ross fan, this is the record the have, in all it's remastered glory. Simply, a Masterpiece!
April 16, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
