Essential Luther Vandross CD

Recorded between 1982 & 1996. Includes liner notes by OJ Lima.

This collection documents the two-decades-plus recording career of R&B icon Luther Vandross. Even before he started putting out records under his own name, he was a first-call session singer (he's the one who created and sang the chorus hook on David Bowie's "Young Americans," for just one example). Throughout the '80s and the '90s, he was (both commercially and aesthetically) one of the most consistently successful R&B singer/songwriter/producers. This healthy two-disc selection of highlights from the impressive Vandross catalogue moves deftly from heartfelt ballads ("A House is Not a Home") to percolating, poppy numbers ("Never Too Much"), spotlighting the man's mellifluous voice and tasteful phrasing at each turn. This is quite clearly the definitive career summary for this deeply influential R&B titan.

This collection includes Luther's biggest video and audio song collection in one package. Also included is a conversation about Luther with Marcus Miller, Ray Bardani, and Nat Adderly Jr., making-of footage, and live song at the NAACP Image Awards. Included are duets withMariah Carey, Gregory Hines, Dionne Warwick, Cheryl Lynn, and Martha Wash.

Nat Adderley, Jr. (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Marcus Miller (keyboards, synthesizer, bass, background vocals); John "Skip" Anderson (synthesizer, programming); Anthony Jackson, Tinker Barfield (bass); Yogi Horton, Buddy Williams (drums); Steve Croon (bongos, congas); Paulinho Da Costa (congas, percussion, chimes); Bashiri Johnson, Michael White (percussion); Jason Miles (programming); Fonzi Thornton, Phil Perry, Phillip Ingram, Ava Cherry, Cissy Houston, Lisa Fisher, Darlene Love, Tawatha Agee (background vocals).

This is part of the "Essential Collection" series.

Producers: Luther Vandross, Marcus Miller, Nat Adderley, Jr., Walter Afanasieff.

Compilation producers: Leo Sacks, Ray Bardani.

Personnel: Luther Vandross (vocals); Cheryl Lynn, Dionne Warwick, Gregory Hines, Mariah Carey, Martha Wash (vocals); Doc Powell, George Wadenius, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Nat Adderley, Jr. (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Marcus Miller (keyboards, synthesizer, bass instrument); Ed Walsh, Skip Anderson (synthesizer); Anthony Jackson, Tinker Barfield (bass instrument); Yogi Horton, Buddy Williams (drums); Ivan Hampden (drum); Steve Kroon (congas, bongos); Paulinho Da Costa (congas, percussion, wind chime); Crusher Bennett, Michael White , Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Jason Miles.

Personnel: Luther Vandross, Martha Wash, Cheryl Lynn, Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey (vocals); Doc Powell, Georg Wadenius, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar);