Luther [2024] - This Close To You [Primary Wave Music]

We reported some months ago that, at the behest of the Vandross family estate, two Luther albums on Cotillion were being reissued for the very first time. The first self-titled one, "Luther" from 1976, was released a month ago on 19 Apr.

The second from 1977 is heralded with the release of the title track "This Close To You" today with the full album due on 7 Jun, available digitally, on CD and vinyl. 

This one, we feel, will be more in demand as it contains the two modern soul gems "Don't Wanna Be A Fool" and "Follow My Love". 

The Cotillion albums have never been reissued as Vandross retained the rights to them when released by the label when the group was dropped by them. We bet someone's head rolled (or should have) when they saw the later success of Vandross in the 80s!

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / 70s Soul
Format:	Album Track / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Primary Wave Music
Cat No:	None
Date:	17/05/2024
Key/BPM:	5A/69
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Luther [2024] - Luther [Primary Wave Music] (Full Album)

In Feb this year it was announced that the Vandross family estate had agreed to reissue two albums by Luther originally released in the 70s on Cotillion. Vandross bought back the rights to these albums from the label when the group was released preventing the label from reissuing them and they have lay dormant for almost 50 years. The announcement was heralded by the release of Luther's second single "Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)" from the first album, "Luther" (1976).

The full album has been reissued for the very first time (digitally on CD and vinyl) today (19 April) and includes a bonus track, an instrumental version of "The 2nd Time Around". It is also the day before his birthday, he would have been 73 on 20 Apr 2024.

The second Luther album, "This Close To Me" (1977), will also be reissued on 7 Jun. and contains three bonus tracks "Can’t Get Enough Good Loving", "Come Back To Love (Instrumental)" and " Don’t Wanna Be A Fool (Instrumental)". It includes two massive modern soul gems "Follow My Love" and "Don't Wanna Be A Fool".

Physical copies are available to pre-order via LutherVandross.com. NOTE The bonus tracks are NOT available on the vinyl releases.

The albums are being reissued to coincide with a documentary "Luther: Never Too Much" directed by Dawn Porter which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 21 Jan '24.

Only three singles materialised from these two albums: "It's Good For The Soul (Pt I & II)", "The 2nd Time Around" / "Funky Music (Is Part Of Me)" and "This Close To You" / "Don't Wanna Be A Fool", with the latter being sought after by the rare soul scene and sells for up to £300.

Whilst the act uses his name, Luther was a five piece group consisting of Luther Vandross, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Theresa Reed and Christine Wiltshire  (Class Action, Musique, Phreek). Vandross wrote all songs on both albums. The three singles all charted on the R&B charts (#28, #34 and #94 respectively) but the albums didn't sell particularly well and the group was released by Cotillion.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / 70s Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Primary Wave Music
Cat No:	None
Date:	19/04/2024
Price:	£7.92

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Luther [2024] - Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me) [Primary Wave Music]

Released yesterday to announce the reissue of two albums by Luther is the second single "Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)" from the first album, "Luther" (1976).

The full album is being reissued for the first time (digitally on CD and vinyl) on 19 April with a bonus track, an instrumental version of "The 2nd Time Around". 

The second Luther album, "This Close To Me" (1977), will also be reissued on 7 Jun. and contains three bonus tracks "Can’t Get Enough Good Loving", "Come Back To Love (Instrumental)" and " Don’t Wanna Be A Fool (Instrumental)". It includes two massive modern soul gems "Follow My Love" and "Don't Wanna Be A Fool".

Physical copies are available to pre-order via LutherVandross.com. NOTE The bonus tracks are NOT available on the vinyl releases.

The albums are being reissued to coincide with a documentary "Luther: Never Too Much" directed by Dawn Porter which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 21 Jan '24.

Only three singles materialised from these two albums: "It's Good For The Soul (Pt I & II)", "The 2nd Time Around" / "Funky Music (Is Part Of Me)" and "This Close To You" / "Don't Wanna Be A Fool", with the latter being sought after by the rare soul scene and sells for up to £300.

Whilst the act uses his name, Luther was a five piece group consisting of Luther Vandross, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Theresa Reed and Christine Wiltshire  (Class Action, Musique, Phreek). Vandross wrote all songs on both albums. The three singles all charted on the R&B charts (#28, #34 and #94 respectively) but the albums didn't sell particularly well and the group was released by Cotillion.

Vandross bought back the rights to these albums from the label when the group was released preventing the label from reissuing them and they have lay dormant for almost 50 years.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single / Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Primary Wave Music
Cat No:	None
Date:	21/02/2024
Key/BPM:	9A/112
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Luther [1976] At Christmas Time / May Christmas Bring You Happiness [Atlantic #DSKO 78]

You'll be pleased to learn that this will be the last Christmas post (this year!).  May I take this opportunity of wishing you a very happy Christmas and pray for a much better new year.

An early recording by Luther Vandross as a quintet called Luther who recorded 2 albums and a handful of 45s on Cotillion between 1976-77.  These are pretty hard to find now as Vandross bought the rights off Cotillion when the group was dropped by the label, preventing them from being re-released.  This recording was only released as a promo 12" in US and as 7" in Jamaica.

At Christmas Time

May Christmas Bring You Happiness