Donna Summer, often hailed as the Queen of Disco, is widely recognized for her iconic 1975 hit “Love to Love You Baby,” which helped define the disco era. The extended 16-minute, 48-second version of the song was created after Neil Bogart, head of Casablanca Records, sought a longer cut following frustration with the original four-minute single’s frequent interruptions during parties. Giorgio Moroder, co-producer of the track, recalled that it took about two weeks to develop the extended version, which ultimately propelled Summer to international stardom when it reached No. 2 on the charts.

While Summer’s disco hits like “I Feel Love” and “Hot Stuff” remain cultural touchstones, her artistic ambitions extended far beyond the genre. A new career-spanning box set, “Donna Summer: The Casablanca Studio Albums,” released this month, offers a comprehensive look at her versatility over seven CDs or 10 LPs. The collection includes long-form disco tracks alongside her explorations into Broadway-inspired show tunes, synth-rock, 1960s girl-group sounds, and nightclub jazz.

Among the notable inclusions is Summer’s nearly 18-minute rendition of “MacArthur Park,” a pop standard she reinterpreted, which recently gained renewed attention after figure skater Alysa Liu used the piece in her Olympic performance. The set also highlights albums such as 1977’s “I Remember Yesterday,” inspired by Anthony Powell’s literary series, which traces a musical journey across multiple decades. Christian John Wikane, who penned the box set’s liner notes, described this album as a pivotal point where listeners began to appreciate the breadth of Summer’s vocal talents.

The 1979 album “Bad Girls” illustrates her genre-crossing ambitions further by incorporating rock elements, including a guitar solo from Jeff “Skunk” Baxter on the hit “Hot Stuff.” Co-producer Pete Bellotte noted his efforts to steer Summer away from being pigeonholed as a disco artist, emphasizing his fondness for rock bands and guitars. Casablanca Records—which also represented artists like Kiss and Parliament—was known for its party atmosphere, marked by rampant drug use, but insiders have defended the label’s musical quality despite its reputation.

Summer’s relationship with Casablanca and Bogart was complex. Although Bogart played a crucial role in her rise, Summer later expressed dissatisfaction with what she viewed as restrictions on her artistic direction and disputes over royalty payments. This tension culminated in a lawsuit against Casablanca following the release of her “On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I and II” in 1979, resulting in a settlement and her departure to David Geffen’s label.

Bruce Sudano, Summer’s husband and longtime collaborator, played an important role in her career and now manages her estate alongside their three daughters. He supported the release of the new box set through Demon Music Group, which had previously issued a broad singles collection in January. Sudano and Demon Music’s global commercial manager, Michael Neidus, highlighted Summer’s remarkable vocal talent and versatility, noting her ability to master a wide array of styles.

Moroder, who remains closely associated with Summer’s legacy, acknowledged her ongoing struggles with public perception. While he said she was likely not entirely content during her career, he sympathized, noting a shared desire to be recognized beyond her disco association, a struggle he himself experienced as the so-called Father of Disco.