The Essential Luther Vandross [2003] (CD - 2003)

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).

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

Compilation producers: Leo Sacks, Ray Bardani.

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

This is part of the "Essential Collection" series.

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. minimize