The 1989 release The Best of Luther Vandross captures Vandross at the peak of his powers, chronicling the '80s, when he reigned as the premier soul crooner of his time. That remains the definitive portrait of Vandross at his creative pinnacle, but 2003's The Essential Luther Vandross extends its reach much further, stopping when Vandross left Epic in 1996. So, it becomes a summary of his time at the label, and it's a thorough one; it may not be sequenced chronologically, but it hits all   [ read more ]

CD $23.73

Three years after Luther Vandross left Sony Music Entertainment, the label's Special Products division issued this budget-priced compilation, which looked back on his 1981-1986 recordings. Boasting only two Top Ten R&B hits ("Give Me the Reason" and the Gregory Hines duet "There's Nothing Better Than Love"), it could not be called a best-of. Rather, the anonymous compiler seemed to be trying to construct a typical Vandross album out of tracks originally used on several different ones. M   [ read more ]

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New York City native Luther Vandross did not generate any number one hits with his second effort for the Epic imprint. Nonetheless, he presents another solid album. The smooth crooner has demonstrated a keen ability to attractively arrange remakes with such beauty and suspense as he did with three of the four featured releases. On the vintage ballad "If This World Were Mine," Vandross teams up with Cheryl Lynn. The single peaked at number four on the Billboard R&B charts. He lays his signa   [ read more ]

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The debut solo album from Luther Vandross featured one outstanding song after another. Vandross concocts a bouncy, vibrant flow on his up-tempo numbers and an intimate, emotional connection on his moderate grooves and his lone ballad. The title track stormed up the Billboard R&B charts to number one where it remained for two weeks. The mellow groove of "Don't You Know That," which checked in at number ten, was the second single. "Sugar and Spice" had less of an impact on the charts due to its   [ read more ]

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Luther Vandross has acquired a reputation for releasing solid, quality albums. Whereas some artists, whether intentional or unintentional, release albums with one or two good songs, Vandross makes every recording count regardless if every song is released. This project falls in line with one superb composition after another. From the alluring arrangements to the striking melodies, every song glitters with a delightful spirit. The New York native did a remarkable job on the medley {&"Superstar/Until Yo   [ read more ]

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His fourth album under the Epic banner, and Luther Vandross still retains that freshness that is fulfilling to his audience and rightly so. This album spawned four Billboard R&B singles in "'Til My Baby Comes Home," "It's Over Now," "Wait for Love," and "If Only for One Night." However, as superb as these songs are, any one of the remaining selections could have achieved comparable chart status. For starters, "The Other Side of the World" has that suspenseful rhythm and engaging lyri   [ read more ]

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There were some who felt that Vandross suffered a slight slump when this album only reached the platinum level after two consecutive double-platinum winners. But "Here And Now" was a huge smash, and by now the pop crowd was fully aware of Vandross' vocal charms and allure. "She Won't Talk To Me" was a bit on the posturing side, but still managed to do decently, while there were also fine album cuts like "I Wonder" and "Are You Gonna Love Me." ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

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Luther Vandross could sing almost anything convincingly, which is one of the reasons Songs is so entertaining. A collection of personal favorites, Songs suffers from the common flaws of covers albums -- it isn't consistent, it sounds slightly canned, and seems like a way to buy time between "real" albums. Nevertheless, Vandross is a truly fine singer, which is what makes Songs worthwhile. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

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One Night with You picked up where Luther Vandross' first hits collection left off, including the R&B/pop Top Ten hits "Power of Love/Love Power," "Don't Want to Be a Fool," "The Best Things in Life Are Free," and "Endless Love," as well as the R&B Top Ten hits "Little Miracles" and "Your Secret Love." Also included was the Grammy-winning "Love the One You're With." Fans may have found the omission of some R&B hits in favor of Vandross' interpretation of {$Rodgers &   [ read more ]

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CEMA Special Markets' Love Is on the Way is a hodgepodge of hits and album tracks that is fairly entertaining, but not as engaging as either Luther Vandross' original albums or full-fledged hits collections. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

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Playing the role of R&B love god has always come naturally to Luther Vandross. On his Virgin debut, he eases into his groove once again. Whether he's dealing in the easy, gospel-inflected pop of album opener "Keeping My Faith in You" or the jazzy hooks of the title track (with Stevie Wonder guesting on harmonica), Vandross is in command. While the faux hip-hop of "Get It Right" (with rap by Precise) seems a bit forced, the disc is strong overall. R&B doesn't get any glossier. ~ Tim Sheridan,    [ read more ]

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Luther Vandross' 1999 Greatest Hits may not be as generous as 1989's The Best of Luther Vandross, which contained 20 tracks on two discs, but it's a good, concise, 14-track collection that includes many of his very best songs. There is a lot of overlap with Best Of -- it shares no less than nine tracks with that collection -- but it also has such-'90s hits as "Don't Want to Be a Fool" and "Power of Love / Love Power." It is a tight, single-disc collection, which may make it preferable to some   [ read more ]

CD $13.28