Title - 'Hidden Gems' (Epic/Legacy)
Artist - Luther Vandross
The late, and always-missed Luther Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer who during an incredible career sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards. Indeed, he actually won four of his Grammy Awards in 2004, including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for the track 'Dance with My Father,' which was co-written with '80s pop star Richard Marx.
And being that Vandross was always so musically creative, always seemingly writing or co-writing most of his songs, arranging and producing his records in ways that shone brightly with a complete understanding of the business, Hidden Gems is a compilation of album tracks, soundtrack offerings and rare live performances that showcase all that and more.
The beautiful, although that could describe any and all Vandross work, 'When You call On Me (Baby That's When I Come Runnin')' is up first, and is followed by 'Once You Know,' the timeless 'I Know You Want To,' the sensual 'Once Were Lovers,' the soaring 'You Stopped Loving Me,' and the epic wind instrument approach to 'The Impossible Dream.'
Luther himself introduces the jazz funk of 'Are You Using Me?,' with the piano-fused 'Goin' Out Of My Head' (the theme from Money Train), 'The Thrill I'm In,' the fun of 'Heart Of A Hero' (from the Hero soundtrack), and then the gentle flow of 'Buy Me A Rose,' and the sax-fused 'I (Who Have Nothing),' a beautiful duet with Martha Wash.
This true gem of an album, of a hidden greatest hits album if you will, is brought to a close (too early, for my liking!) with the lovely 'I'd Rather,' 'Like I'm Invisible,' and the pop beats of 'You Really Started Something.' And man who is as missed today as when he first left us, Luther Vandross' voice is unmistakable and his music is legendary. And if this new collection can 'complete' your Vandross musical works, rush out and buy it today! Please, as you will not regret it. I mean, it's Luther, so how could you?!
www.LegacyRecordings.com