Del mio meglio is a series of compilation albums by the Italian singer Mina, released from 1971 to 1987. Each of them is an anthology of Mina's hits and significant songs taken from her official albums. Also, songs not previously released on albums appeared in such collections for the first time. Each compilation was reissued in different years on different media: vinyl, Stereo8 (not all), cassette and compact disc (later also remastered and released digitally).[1][2] Various box sets were also released.
Del mio meglio n. 6 – Live was released in July 1981 by PDU. The sixth volume of the series consists only of songs taken from live albums, it does not contain unreleased songs. The songs are arranged in chronological order and are taken from recordings made during only three official concerts of the singer included in the albums:
Del mio meglio numero sette was released in April 1983. The compilation is notable for containing the song "Ancora, ancora, ancora", which was previously released only on the 1978 single "Città vuota (It's a Lonely Town)".
1985 – a box set containing the first seven volumes. Released by PDU on vinyl.[4]
1986 – a box set containing the first eight volumes. Released by PDU on vinyl.[5]
1988 – a box set containing all nine volumes. Released by PDU on vinyl.[6]
1988 – a box set in the form of a cube with ninie volumes in CD format, the faces of the cube contain images of some original covers, an 18-page booklet is attached. Released by PDU and EMI on vinyl (4793172). In 2001, it was remastered and reissued on CD with a 16-page booklet.[7]
1997 – Minantologia – a collection of tracks from the first two volumes (remastered and reissued in 2001). Released by PDU and EMI on CD and cassette.[8]
2006 – Ascoltami, guardami – a box set including all 2001 remastered nine volumes, as well as a new, 10th volume containing live recordings. The box also contains the book Disegnata fotografata Mina. Released by EMI on CD.[9]
2011 – Del Mio Meglio Boxset – a digital download box set with the same 113-track content as Ascoltami, guardami, released on 25 February 2011 by Warner Music Italia.[2]
2009 – Canzoni intramontabili – an extensive box set, including all nine volumes of Del mio meglio as well as other albums by Mina (35 in total). Released on CD by various labels.[10]
Critical reception
Christian Calabrese in his review for Ciao 2001 noted that despite criticism of the series, Mina continues to sell albums quite successfully.[11] Music critic Claudio Milano from OndaRock magazine noted the albums Del mio meglio and Del mio meglio n. 3 as one of the best in Mina's discography.[12]