Luther Vandross (album)

Last updated
Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross album cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 19, 2001 (2001-06-19)
RecordedNovember 2000–March 2001
Genre R&B, soul
Length66:52
Label J
Producer
Luther Vandross chronology
Smooth Love
(2000)
Luther Vandross
(2001)
The Ultimate Luther Vandross
(2001)
Singles from Luther Vandross
  1. "Take You Out"
    Released: June 9, 2001
  2. "Can Heaven Wait"
    Released: December 2001
  3. "I'd Rather"
    Released: April 16, 2002

Luther Vandross is the twelfth studio album by American singer Luther Vandross. It was released by J Records on June 19, 2001 in the United States. His debut with the label after a brief stint with Virgin Records on I Know (1998), it marked a departure for Vandross who reunited with frequent collaborators Nat Adderley, Jr. and Marcus Miller to work on some songs, but also recruited a wider range of contemporary producers such as Warryn Campbell, Shep Crawford, Eddie F., Darren Lighty, Soulshock, and The Underdogs to contribute material.

Contents

The album was released to positive reception from music critics, who called it Vandross' best effort in a decade. His rendition of the 1962 Chuck Jackson song "Any Day Now" received a nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance at the 2003 Grammy Awards. Upon release, Luther Vandross debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200, selling 136,000 copies, his best first week sales yet. The album produced three singles, including "Take You Out" which reached the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult R&B Songs chart.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
BBC Music (favorable) [2]
Entertainment Weekly A− [3]
People (mixed) [4]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]

AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis found that Luther Vandross was "a return to form," and ranked the album "as the singer's best since 1991's critically and commercially lauded Power of Love ." He further called it "the singer's most engaging, exciting, and compelling album in years; [it] shows Vandross in step with changing times, all the while still managing to hold on to the essence of what made him so famous in the first place." [1] People magazine called Luther Vandross "vintage Vandross" and wrote: "With his new disc, Vandross has finally come up with a collection of songs worthy of his silky, elastic tenor. Sounding as robust as ever despite having dropped 120 lbs. since his last album [...] Vandross works his seductive spells on sensitive slow jams [...]." [4] Entertainment Weekly 's Robert Cherry felt that "Vandross doesn’t need to rely on expletives to stimulate a response. Armed with G-rated ballads and a bevy of hot producers who step aside to let the man do his thang, Vandross and his caramel-smooth croon could spark yet another baby boom." [3]

Commercial performance

Luther Vandross debuted and peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200, selling 136,000 copies in its first week. [7] It marked Vandross' best chart showing since Billboard began using SoundScan to track sales in 1991. [7] On Billboard's component charts, the album reached number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming his twelfth solo album to reach the top ten. [7] In total, Luther Vandross sold 1.2 million copies. [8] The album was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the shipment of over 1 million copies in the United States. [9]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Take You Out"Campbell3:25
2."Grown Thangs" Jon B. 4:32
3."Bring Your Heart to Mine"
  • Gist
  • Berkeley
4:21
4."Can Heaven Wait"
Soulshock & Karlin 5:35
5."Say It Now"
Soulshock & Karlin 4:32
6."Hearts Get Broken All the Time (But the Problem Is, This Time It's Mine)"
Vandross5:19
7."I'd Rather" Shep Crawford Crawford4:51
8."How Do I Tell Her"
Lawrence4:17
9."Any Day Now" Nat Adderley Jr. 5:11
10."If I Was the One" Diane Warren The Underdogs 4:19
11."Let's Make Tonight the Night"
4:17
12."Like I'm Invisible"
  • Edmonds
  • Vandross
4:00
13."Are You There (With Another Guy)"
Vandross5:55
14."Love Forgot"
  • Vandross
  • Miller
5:36
15."You Really Started Something" (hidden track)
Vasquez4:37

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [9] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, and reference
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
AsiaJune 19, 2001 J Records [15]
Canada
Japan
United States
AustriaOctober 8, 2001 [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell Biv DeVoe</span> American R&B group

Bell Biv DeVoe, also known as BBD, is an American music group from Boston, Massachusetts, formed from members of New Edition, consisting of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe.

<i>Dance with My Father</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Luther Vandross

Dance with My Father is the thirteenth and final studio album by American R&B/soul singer Luther Vandross. It was released by J Records on June 10, 2003 in the United States. The album, especially its title track, was dedicated to Vandross's late father and features production credits from Nat Adderley Jr., Shep Crawford, and Marcus Miller as well as guest appearances by singer Beyoncé, R&B trio Next, and rappers Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, and Busta Rhymes.

<i>So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross</i> 2005 compilation album by various artists

So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross is a tribute album to American singer Luther Vandross, released on September 20, 2005, by J Records, nearly three months after Vandross' death. It consists of cover versions of past songs by Vandross, recorded by R&B, soul, and pop artists. The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 and at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 104,000 copies in its opening week.

<i>The Night I Fell in Love</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Luther Vandross

The Night I Fell in Love is the fourth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released on March 8, 1985, by Epic Records. In 1986, Vandross garnered a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and two American Music Awards, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album. The first single "'Til My Baby Comes Home" is notable for featuring Billy Preston on organ.

<i>Songs</i> (Luther Vandross album) 1994 studio album by Luther Vandross

Songs is the ninth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross. It was released by Epic Records on September 20, 1994. The album, a collection of cover versions, produced the singles "Endless Love", "Always and Forever", and "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now". According to an interview both Vandross and Mariah Carey gave in Japan following the release of their duet "Endless Love", there was mention that Carey had given advice as to what songs Vandross would cover on this album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Too Much (song)</span> 1981 single by Luther Vandross

"Never Too Much" is the debut song written, composed, produced, and performed by Luther Vandross. The R&B song was released in 1981, as the lead single from Vandross's debut album of the same name. The title track hit number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reached number four on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

"Dance with My Father" is a song by Luther Vandross and the title track to his thirteenth studio album. It was released in May 2003 as the album's lead single. With Richard Marx, Vandross wrote the song based on his personal experience. The lyrics recall childhood memories with Vandross's father, who used to dance with him and his mother.

<i>Superhero</i> (Brian McKnight album) 2001 studio album by Brian McKnight

Superhero is the sixth album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was first released by Motown Records on August 28, 2001 in the United States. McKnight recorded this album to showcase his many musical influences and give listeners a glimpse into the past year of his life. Superhero mixes McKnight's usual contemporary R&B style with a touch of rock and roll and rap music. McKnight worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Battlecat, Bill Meyers, Anthony Nance, Steve Thompson, and Lavel "City Spud" Webb. Featured guest vocalists were Justin Timberlake, Nate Dogg, Fred Hammond, and hip hop group St. Lunatics.

<i>Never Too Much</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Luther Vandross

Never Too Much is the debut solo studio album by American singer Luther Vandross, released on August 12, 1981, by Epic Records. Composed by Vandross himself, the album reached number 19 on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Never Too Much earned Vandross two Grammy Award nominations in 1982, including Best New Artist and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.

<i>Forever, for Always, for Love</i> 1982 studio album by Luther Vandross

Forever, for Always, for Love is the second studio album by American R&B singer and songwriter Luther Vandross, released on September 21, 1982, by Epic Records. It became Vandross' second album to chart in the top 20 on the Billboard 200 and was his second album to top the R&B Albums chart where it spent three weeks.

<i>Give Me the Reason</i> (Luther Vandross album) 1986 studio album by Luther Vandross

Give Me the Reason is the fifth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released on September 26, 1986, by Epic Records. The album earned Vandross an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and a nomination for "Favorite Soul/R&B Album" in 1988, while the title track was nominated for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male at the 29th Grammy Awards.

<i>Any Love</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Luther Vandross

Any Love is the sixth studio album by American singer Luther Vandross. It was released by Epic Records on September 20, 1988, in the United States. Produced by Vandross and Marcus Miller, the album features a cover of Major Harris' hit single "Love Won't Let Me Wait" as well as "The Second Time Around," a re-recording of a song featured on Vandross's band Luther's 1976 album of the same name.

<i>The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love</i> 1989 greatest hits album by Luther Vandross

The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love is the first compilation album by American singer Luther Vandross, released on October 4, 1989. It contains two previously unreleased songs, "Here and Now"—which became Vandross' first top ten pop hit and won the Grammy Award for "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male" in 1991—and the 1990 US #5 R&B single "Treat You Right".

<i>The Essential Luther Vandross</i> 2002 greatest hits album by Luther Vandross

The Essential Luther Vandross is a greatest hits album by American singer Luther Vandross, released on March 5, 2002 in the UK and June 10, 2003 in the US, by Sony Music and Legacy Recordings as part of The Essential Series. The two-disc compilation features thirty-five tracks from Vandross's recording catalog. The collection contains R&B and pop hit songs spanning from Vandross earlier albums to the later—Dance with My Father, a Grammy win for Best R&B Album.

<i>Never Let Me Go</i> (Luther Vandross album) 1993 studio album by Luther Vandross

Never Let Me Go is the eighth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released on May 26, 1993, in the US by Epic. It was his first studio album not to debut at #1 on the R&B Albums chart.

<i>This Is Christmas</i> (Luther Vandross album) 1995 studio album by Luther Vandross

This Is Christmas is the first Christmas album by American singer Luther Vandross. It was released on October 18, 1995, by Epic Records. Produced by Vandross along with Nat Adderley Jr. and Marcus Miller, the album received mixed to negative reviews from music critics and peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard 200 and number 4 at both Billboard's Top Holiday Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. A steady seller throughout the Christmas season, it was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), exceeding physical sales of 1,000,000 copies in 2002.

<i>I Know</i> (Luther Vandross album) 1998 studio album by Luther Vandross

I Know is the eleventh studio album by American R&B singer and songwriter Luther Vandross, released in August 1998, and his only one for Virgin Records. It serves as his first album since fulfilling his contract with Epic after the release of his album Your Secret Love (1996). The album features guest appearances from artists such as Cassandra Wilson, Guru, Stevie Wonder, Brandy, Marcella Precise and Bob James.

<i>Face Off</i> (Bow Wow and Omarion album) 2007 studio album by Bow Wow and Omarion

Face Off is a collaborative album by American rapper Bow Wow and American singer Omarion. The album was released on December 11, 2007 through Columbia Records. The production on the album was handled by Jermaine Dupri, Jim Jonsin, Stereotypes, T-Pain, No I.D. and Lil Ronnie among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here and Now (Luther Vandross song)</span> 1989 single by Luther Vandross

"Here and Now" is a 1989 song by American recording artist Luther Vandross, and written by: David L. Elliott, Terry Steele, and Charles “Casino“ White. The single is from the compilation album The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love. "Here and Now" became his fifth single to peak at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles, and his first single to chart in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take You Out</span> 2001 single by Luther Vandross

"Take You Out" is a song by American recording artist Luther Vandross. It was written by Warryn Campbell, Harold Lilly, and John Smith and produced by the former for Vandross's self-titled twelfth studio album (2001). Released as the album's lead single, the song topped the US Adult R&B Songs chart and became a top ten hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while peaking at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Take You Out" was later interpolated by American rapper Jay-Z in his song "Excuse Me Miss", on his album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse, released in 2002.

References

  1. 1 2 Allmusic review
  2. Boyd, Denise (2002). "Luther Vandross, Luther Vandross Review". BBC Music . Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Cherry, Robert (July 20, 2001). "Luther Vandross Review". Entertainment Weekly : 68–9. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Picks and Pans Review: Luther Vandross". People . July 16, 2001. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  5. Caramanica, Jon (July 24, 2001). "+Luther Vandross". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  6. Magazine, Rolling Stone (1992). The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music. ISBN   9780679737285.
  7. 1 2 3 "Devilish D12 Debut At No. 1". Billboard.com . July 20, 2001. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  8. "Pushed-Up Metallica CD Tops List of Releases Slated for June 10". hitsdailydouble.com. June 3, 2003. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "American album certifications – Luther Vandross – Luther Vandross". Recording Industry Association of America.
  10. "Luther Vandross Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  11. "Luther Vandross Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  12. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  13. "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 2001". Billboard . Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  14. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2002". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  15. Mitchell, Gail (June 16, 2001). "Coming Back, Vandross Taps Young Writers, Producers For J Debut". Billboard . Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  16. "Luther Vandross – Luther Vandross". austriancharts.at (Hung Medien). Retrieved April 14, 2021.