Luther Vandross – Hidden Gems (2012)

01 – When You Call On Me (Baby That’s When I Come Runnin’)
02 – Once You Know How
03 – I Know You Want To
04 – Once Were Lovers
05 – You Stopped Loving Me
06 – The Impossible Dream
07 – Are You Using Me
08 – Goin’ Out Of My Head
09 – The Thrill I’m In (Radio Mix)
10 – Heart Of A Hero		play
11 – Buy Me A Rose		play
12 – I (Who Have Nothing) (Duet With Martha Wash)
13 – I’d Rather
14 – Like I’m Invisible
15 – You Really Started Something

2012 has shown to be a deviating year of loss with soul and R&B music. No further is the sadness with the tragic death of Whitney Houston. Her voice showcased a deep bravado of simplicity and joy from each heart and soul from every single note that proved to be deeper from the soul than artists are even making strides out right now. That sadness also has came seven years ago with the loss of Luther Vandross. He had showed a elegance in his voice, without being labeled or judged for faults. He lost his life in 2005 from a heartbreaking stroke that claimed his life at age 54, but yet this April he would've been 61 years old. But with anything he was able to sing, he showed a grace that hasn't been replicated. Something in today's R&B that is careless and selfish. Now, a new compliation of his music is out there, but is it worth the money? Well, it has a few surprises in it.

Hidden Gems, the new compilation of Luther Vandross's music from the 1981-2003 consists of songs that were never featured on a Luther Vandross hits collection before, but from his past still feels like it is fresh and new. The songs have all been remastered brilliantly and include songs like You Stopped Loving Me, to Like I'm Invisible, all the way to classy covers of beautiful standards from showtunes like The King & I's The Impossible Dream to I (Who Have Nothing) with Weather Girls frontwoman Martha Wash. The songs sound great, and a noble trip back in time where artists didn't have to pretend to sing, unlike today's music scene that feels disgraceful. While the collection does stand up well, I do wish though there were a few songs that could've been included here that Luther sung in his life like Going In Circles and the Major Harris ballad Love Won't Let Me Wait, instead of his lesser-known later songs like Buy Me A Rose and I'd Rather which weren't his best at the top of his game.

All in all, when it has came to Luther Vandross and Hidden Gems, it isn't a bad buy overall of his music, and shows why he was once proclaimed the best male R&B singer in the world, according to Clive Davis. It shows why Luther could sing just about anything in the world. While it isn't a must buy for those new to Luther Vandross and his voice, it is a great buy for die hard fans who've been so loving of his gracious tones. Luther has always ranked high with the greats of R&B crooning like Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass and Otis Redding. It is one more reason Luther is one of the more dominant singers in the world, and his legacy will live on. --- Michael Kerner (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.)

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