Diana Ross's SURRENDER album gets the star make-over treatment by Hip-O Select, and as usual they do a fantastic job!

This was Ross's third album and was produced by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson who also produced Diana's first smash hit solo album

. I never heard of the SURRENDER album, being that I was only one-year old when it was released, and I only knew the song "Remember Me" (which I love!)from this release, but I'm glad that I've discovered this "lost" gem and that it's being reissued.

The album itself was not the commercial hit here in the USA that everyone was expecting, reaching #56 on the pop charts, but it's a wonderful collection of songs that follow in the same vain as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." And Diana Ross sounds wonderfully soulful and shows off her laser like pitch that rings clear as a bell when she tears through songs like "Remember Me," "I'm A Winner," "Surrender," and others, proving once again that she was more than ready to be a solo artist.

Hip-O has done an outstanding job with the remastering and the entire production of this reissue. There are nine bonus tracks including an alternate version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (which has noticeably different ad-libs, but the music sounds the same) and the demo version of "Remember Me" sung by Valerie Simpson. Also included is a small booklet with photos and new liner notes from David Nathan and album producer Valerie Simpson about the album and its history. Simpson also provides comments on the original tracks that were issued along with editor notes providing additional info. Stellar job!

I hope this means that Hip-O will be re-issuing the "An Evening With Diana Ross" album soon!

The brilliant light that shines through Diana Ross's silken voice is smooth and brushed over like a fine fragile vase filled with flourishing fresh flowers taken out to set the table for todays welcomed guests. This CD is like a priceless heirloom bringing back beautiful memories to all her devoted delighted hand clapping fans. Her voice approaches you like Diana herself at her live performances. My lover Dean and I have seen her at several venues and we've actually seen her walking in Manhattan where she waved back and flashed that lightening bright smile we've all come to love.

You all know the songs and your reviews tell us the excellent details. The extra tracks are amazing as is the liner notes. Who would want to download this CD? "Ain't nothing like the real thing baby." I can't wait till Diana remasters "Live from Cesaers Palace" with "The Point" which she sings to her girls who are in the audience. I saw her perform that at the Palace Theater and both were amazing.

When I put Surrender into my Ipod and on my ears I couldn't take them off till the CD was over and there I was just listening to silence as I was caught in remberance and stilled by the voice I had just heard. That is her gift. We are all thankful for it!

This was a fine project for our "Diva" Diana. She mastered all the songs. I actually got her to autograph a "early" release copy of this album at her then home in Beverly Hills, California. I shyly told her that I loved the "Can't Give Back The Love" song and that I felt that it would be a smash single. She was gracious and appreciated my comments while being very, very pregnant with her first child (Rhonda). Those of you that don't have this CD are missing out on songs with unmatched "SUPREME" vocals along with her signature phrasing and diction. "DID YOU READ THE MORNING PAPER" and "A SIMPLE THING LIKE CRY" are standout cuts. There has always been and will forever be only one.....DIANA ROSS!

This cd is comming out next month Extended like, Diana Ross and Everything is Everything!!!!!!!!!!!

Hip-O Select again does a tremendous job in meticulously searching the Motown vaults to expand upon the early solo career of Diana Ross.

This June 1971 release - her third album - was produced by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. It yielded three singles - Remember Me b/w How About You, Reach Out (I'll Be There) b/w (They Long to Be) Close to You, Surrender b/w I'm a Winner - and was building upon the #1 single from 1970, a cover of the Ashford and Simpson classic, Ain't No Mountain High Enough (an alternate vocal and mix is a bonus track), which earned Ross a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

The original 11 album tracks are bolstered by nine bonus numbers, including the only unreleased song from the Surrender sessions - Baby I'll Come - and the original vocal demo of Remember Me by Simpson. A booklet that contains a wealth of previously unpublished photos is a winner.

This set shows an Ross working with top-notch material and delivering performances from the heart.