Feb 2

Luther - 1976 - Luther (Vandross)

Posted by nikos1109

I think we all agree that Luther Vandross was one of the greatest singers in the area for the last 30 years with his smooth, versatile tenor voice. He was one of the most successful R&B artists of the 1980s and ’90s. But he was in the business from early 70’s and he gained  recognition as a background singer working for David Bowie, Stephanie Mills, Bette Midler, Judy Collins, Ben E. King, Average White Band, Chic, Carly Simon, Quincy Jones, Cat Stevens, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, The Spinners among many others, before he became an R&B star for the next two decades.

Before his breakthrough, Vandross was part of a singing quintet in the late ’70s, consisting former Shades of Jade members Anthony Hinton and Diane Sumler, Theresa V. Reed, and Christine Wiltshire, also called Luther, signed to Cotillion Records. Although the singles “It’s Good for the Soul”, “Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)”, and “The Second Time Around” were relatively successful, their two albums, the self-titled Luther (1976) and This Close to You (1977), didn’t sell enough to make the charts. Vandross bought back the rights to these albums after the record label dropped the group, preventing their later re-release.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Cotillion Records LP including covers.

Tracks
A1 Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me) 5:29
A2 The 2nd Time Around 6:25
A3 I’ll Get Along Fine 4:07
A4 Everybody Rejoice 3:2
B1 Emotion Eyes 5:58
B2 This Strange Feeling 4:44
B3 It’s Good For The Soul (Parts I And II) 8:42

This is an excellent album. Some of Luther’s best work. It didn’t receive the attention that it should have because of the Funk era being at an all time high and ballads being less listened too. In my opinion three songs on this album should have scored high on the R&B charts.

His first LP was released in June 1976 The eponymously titled LP,  “Luther” featured his first R&B chartings, “It’s Good For The Soul (#28), “Funky Music”/”The Second Time Around” (#34). In fact, David Bowie originally heard Luther working on “Funky Music” a few years prior & with Luther, restructured it into “Fascination”. Carlos Alomar, who had become David Bowie’s guitarist, invited him to attend a Bowie recording session at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. He quickly became more than an observer, singing background vocals, serving as a vocal arranger, and co-writing the song “Fascination” with Bowie. The session resulted in the album Young Americans, released in March 1975, and Vandross also went on tour with Bowie in September 1974 as both backup singer and opening act. For their live shows, they were backed by a group that included Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers, who later became the architects of Chic.

Overall this debut album by the band led by the late soul legend Luther Vandross, is mid seventies style funky soul containing the very funky ‘It’s good for the soul‘, ‘Emotion Eyes‘ and ‘Funky Music is a part of me‘. A very rare chance to hear the roots of the master of smooth soul.

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Everything you have to know about legendary Luther Vandross here, including biography, singles - albums discography and awards.

It is very interesting to read an in person interview here,  conducted by David Nathan in New York City, in June1976, about the group, the album and much more.

Finally listen the killer “Funky Music” and check on Youtube David Bowie’s “Fascination”. You’ll see why..

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Date February 2nd, 2010

34 Responses to “Luther - 1976 - Luther (Vandross)”

  1. JTF Says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    Another great one!

  2. rich Says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 pm

    thank u nikos and a special thank u for using zshare.rapidshare takes long to grab.

  3. Trakbuv Says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    For me, this and the follow-up Cotillion LP (my favourite of his) are the essence of the man and his live power - so much passion and sincerity that was somehow diluted with many of his later LPs. Easily one of the greatest soul singers of all-time. ‘Emotion eyes’ and the original version of ‘Second time around’ are gut-wrenchingly phenomenal. Simply awesome.

  4. Gabriel Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm

    His voice was magical and the music brilliant. He will be so sorely missed.

  5. D. Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Thanks you great one again

  6. Klow Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    Thanks for adding Zshare! We talked about the Rapidshare issue before; actually it seems that access is now denied to non premium account members.

  7. Zer0 Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Thsnks Nikos!!! I’ve been wanting to hear some Luther Vandross 70’s jams.

  8. nikos1109 Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 1:32 am

    I adore Luther. I still remember when he arranged the background vocals for Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer’s duet “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough),” which became a number one pop hit in November 1979. The album is great. I still play “Funky Music” loud!!!

  9. jos Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 1:39 am

    thanks!!

  10. Bell Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Wow! Thanks for sharing this great find!

  11. hooch Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    Superb Lp - one of my favourites, thank you as always!

  12. Adam L. Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    Never heard of those Cotillion LP’s. Vandross was one on my favorites, so i’ll like to check this out. That youtube song is really hot.

  13. Grumpy Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Thanks for the post Nikos, yet another great one!

  14. Fondeus Says:
    February 5th, 2010 at 10:52 am

    Brilliant Niko!

  15. Ricardo Says:
    February 5th, 2010 at 11:45 am

    Sadly missed, Luther was indeed one of the giants of the modern era. Work like this serves to keep both the great music and his memory alive. Thankyou so much for sharing this gem.

  16. catacaldos Says:
    February 5th, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    A special thanks for this special post.You made my day.

  17. Alfredo Says:
    February 6th, 2010 at 3:03 am

    Many many thanks for the great stuff.

  18. Nicolas Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Thanks again for the amazing music.

  19. Lanus Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    A great one. I love Luther Vandross.

  20. jerome green Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    Hi Nikos.
    Beautiful and (as we all know) criminally underappreciated lp by the master himself (R.I.P. we are always thinking of you, Luther). I alredy have the record, but Thank You so much for selecting it; people need to feel the true power of this man (we think of him as an 80s artist, but he goes way back in the 70s! It is amazing how much he accomplished without much fanfare. I was just listening to ‘Glow Of Love’ from the first Change lp. Incredibly amazing and wondrous track. Peace, Love, and Thanks for all the uplifting music.
    jerome

  21. Desmond Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    big up big thnx

  22. KillBill Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    Wonderful! Another top gem! Thanks

  23. Frank Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 10:51 am

    Many thanks, another quality posting.

  24. Martini Says:
    February 10th, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    Superb!!! Thanks!

  25. onejazzyman Says:
    February 11th, 2010 at 2:10 am

    Great Luther album. Record company should release it!

  26. matt glazier Says:
    February 14th, 2010 at 4:22 am

    found this and his second album ‘this close to you’ in a London record store today.. been collecting soul music for 25 years and had no idea these even existed… bliss

  27. Fernando Says:
    February 17th, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Such a great artist! Thank u.

  28. Leon Says:
    February 21st, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    The sample track is super funky. Can’t wait to hear the rest. many thanks.

  29. T.L.P Says:
    February 25th, 2010 at 1:06 am

    Such a great site, classic gems. thank you fam for the work that you do, much respect.

  30. Diego Says:
    February 25th, 2010 at 10:58 am

    Thank you. Luther…just fabulous.

  31. Danny Says:
    February 28th, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    “Never too Much” with Luther Vandross. Such a great loss.

  32. pedro Says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    Thanks for this nikos havent got any of the luthers earlier work is it true to say that he did a fair bit of writing in his early days? thanks for this

  33. Larry Bellard Says:
    July 5th, 2010 at 10:50 pm

    I Was In The Military In 1976 When I Seen And Heard Luther In Concert With A Group Of Young College Kids From Howard University. THe Concert Was In The Summer Of 1976 In Louisville Ky.I Have Never Been To A Live Stage Proformance Like The Luther Show In Over 34 Years. Thank You Luther For The ” Second Time Around ” I Turn Lousianas On To Luther’s Musics A Magical Tenor. God Bless You Luther & I Know Your Voice Is Blessing The Angel’s

  34. Tom Says:
    July 27th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    This is brilliant! I had never even heard of L.V. doing anything in the mid 70s and it’s ace! Thank you top stuff.

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