For those not in the know, Sheena Easton’s platinum-plus 1984 EMI album A Private Haven has now been remastered from the original master tapes and is releasing as a 2CD special edition on March 8th, 2022 (via Cherry Red Records, UK).

Inclusive of the Grammy-nominated Strut and Prince-penned smash Sugar Walls, and released in association with RT Industries, this Deluxe Edition 2CD set now contains a massive 21 bonus tracks; featuring 12” mixes, B-sides and 12 previously-unreleased tracks: Have You Ever Been In Love and the longer ‘Roman’ Version of Sugar Walls.

CD 1 – A Private Heaven + 12” Mixes
1. Strut
2. Sugar Walls
3. Hungry Eyes
4. Hard To Say It’s Over
5. Swear
6. Love And Affection
7. Back In The City
8. You Make Me Nervous
9. All By Myself
10. Double Standard
11. Strut (Dance Mix)
12. Sugar Walls (Dance Mix)
13. Swear (Dance Mix)
14. Strut (Dub Mix)
15. Sugar Walls (Red Mix)
16. Swear (Dub Mix)

As part of Cherry Red’s on-going reissue campaign of the star’s EMI catalogue, this 2CD Deluxe Edition of 1984’s new wave-orientated A Private Heaven represents Sheena Easton’s US commercial peak, with material ranging from edgy rocker Swear to show-stopping power ballad Hard To Say It’s Over.

Furthermore, the aforementioned #1 Dance hit Strut and Top three R&B success of Sugar Walls resulted in her being the only artist in US history to score Top three hits in each of Billboard’s main charts: Hot 100, R&B, Dance, AC and Country.

As a whole though, and taking on a notably sexier stance whilst wetting her feet in slightly funkier repertoire, A Private Heaven expands a good deal on Easton’s trademark light pop.

As discussed, the lively Strut and the provocative, Prince-penned Sugar Walls serve as two of the set’s strongest offerings, and where the snappy, jazzy Back in the City and memorable ballad Hard to Say It’s Over are not instantly as catchy, ultimately (and after repetitive listening) they most definitely are just as strong.

Filler syndrome is not escaped entirely, but isn’t in excess, making this a desirable addition to Easton collections, in my humble opinion, and now here complete with en masse of delightful flashback 12” mixes and remixes galore, well, this is most definitely the cherry on the cake for this recorded album and the singles that came from it.

CD 2 – B-Sides / Studio Sessions / Instrumentals
1. Letters From The Road [B-Sides]
2. Straight Talking [B-Sides]
3. Fallen Angels [B-Sides]
4. Have You Ever Been In Love [The Studio Sessions]*
5. Hungry Eyes (Alternate Version) [The Studio Sessions]*
6. Hard To Say It’s Over (Alternate Version) [The Studio Sessions]*
7. Sugar Walls (Long ‘Roman’ Version) [The Studio Sessions]*
8. Strut (Instrumental Mix) *
9. Love And Affection (Instrumental Mix) *
10. Hungry Eyes (Instrumental Mix) *
11. All By Myself (Instrumental Mix) *
12. Back In The City (Instrumental Mix) *
13. Hard To Say It’s Over (Instrumental Mix) *
14. Straight Talking (Instrumental Mix) *
15. In It To Win It (Instrumental Mix) *
*Previously unreleased track

This wonderous 2CD set also comes with a colorful 24-page booklet which includes rare photography and new interviews with producer Greg Mathieson, songwriters Charlie Dore, Robbie Nevil and more by ex-Attitude editor Adam Mattera.

Official 2CD Purchase Link