Possibly her very best album. It seemed unlikely that she could top 1979's, THE BOSS but she did indeed and this is another landmark in her career. In 1980, when disco was still very much popular, she turned to the hottest R and B writers and producers of that era, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. Allegedly there were problems between Ross and these producers as Ross apparently felt her vocals were pushed too far into the background. She proceeded to take the album and remix it herself, pushing her vocals foward and making this much more unique.You simply can't disagree with Ross' decision when you hear the sheer magic of this truly magnificent album. Ritously funky throughout the album, it spun three major classics with the first being UPSIDE DOWN which became Ross' fifth U.S.A solo no.1 hit and narrowly missed the top spot in the U.K. Her impressive, razor sharp vocals are also featured on the other classics, MY OLD PIANO and on one of Ross' strongest performances on record, I'M COMING OUT which is seemingly making a statement of newly found independence. This classic also became a huge gay anthem which still remains popular on the scene today. The rythmically divine, TENDERNESS, aching, FRIEND TO FRIEND, catchy, HAVE FUN AGAIN and the beautiful sparse production of NOW THAT YOU'RE GONE all sound like they could have been classics if lifted as singles. Best of all however is the incredibly funky, GIVE UP to which Ross just lets her hairs down and belts this out with all her heart and soul. A huge triumph in Ross' career with every track a winner and this today remains a well loved classic. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Diana Ross was no stranger to disco music with the disco hit "Love Hangover" and the album The Boss, but on diana she joined forces with one of the most formidable disco production teams, Nile Rogers & Bernard Edwards of Chic. Instead of making another disco album, Rogers & Edwards moved away from a heavy disco element into a funk & rock sound that created the edgiest and most creative album Ms. Ross has ever made. "Upside Down" is the perfect synthesis of the sound. The producers lay a funky guitar riff over a string section while Ms. Ross purrs away with sass and style. After this release, Ms. Ross moved back into more familiar territory with such songs as "Endless Love", "It's My Turn" and other more traditional Diana Ross sounds. But on diana, she created an original, innovative and edgy record that has held up better than most albums from this era.

Actually the title of this album should've been "CHIC featuring Diana Ross" since it is a Chic album with their own Background vocals, strings, etc. Written, Arranged and Produced by The Great Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers, the founders of Chic. The only difference is Diana is singing lead instead of Luci Martin or Alfa Anderson. Anyway, I recently heard this album for the first time in 26 years, only this time on CD and the sound blew me away!!!!! The songs sound just as fresh as they did back then. Every track in addition to "Upside Down" and "I'm Coming Out" is a potential hit especially "Have Fun Again". Bernard's Bass playing is really kicking on that cut! I love it! Overall this album is a must-listen for any person who appreciates R&B music just as it was during the last year of the "Party Hardy Era" that was from 1977-1980.

This CD is the definitely Diana Ross at her best . This is also probably the last Motown sounding album she recorded. Rumour has it that Ross asked Chic (writers and producers of "DIANA") to do a follow up album as her first album at RCA records but they declined because they would'nt give Ross complete control (and rightly so). "Upside Down," the first single from the album is a funky, simple sounding song, that started the Dianamania in 1980. Next was the fantastic "I'm Coming Out," which not only was a great hit on the dance floor but symbolized Diana Ross' separation from Motown to RCA records. Other songs on the album with are some of my favourite songs ever were more of a hit in the UK than in the US. "Tenderness," is a vibrant tune with a classic disco beat, and Diana Ross has never sounded so vibrant. The song "Now That You're Gone" is an ingeniously organized song combined with simple lyrics. I particularly enjoy this song because of the unusual beat and repetitious melody. "Friend to Friend" is the only slow ballad on the album. Diana ross sings this beautifully with a warm and sensitive voice. "My Old Piano" I think has a Supremes sound to it and was a hit in the UK, it reminds me of the Supremes song "You keep Me Hangin' On." I honestly believe that if you enjoy great music and the glamour of Diana Ross you will be more than happy with this purchase.

In 2003 Motown really went all out in rereleasing Diana Ross' best-selling album of all-time called "Diana", an album that went Platinum in the U.S. and sold over 10,000,000 copies worldwide! Originally the album only had a paltry 8 tracks, but featured two Top 10 classic singles, the #1 "Upside Down" and the gay athem "I'm Comin' Out".

In the rerelease CD version there are over 20 tracks that have never seen the light of day until now including the original mixes of these songs that Diana remixed before the debut of the album as she didn't like the way the songs sounded. There are also some new songs here too that have come out from the Motown vault including "Fire Don't Burn", "Sweet Summertime Livin'" and "Your Love is So Good To Me".

Motown, thank you for doing an incredible job on this album!