Luther Vandross Album - I Know
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Customers rating:
(36 ratings)
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Release Date:1998-08-11
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Type:Audio CD
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Genre:Dance-Pop, Pop, Quiet Storm, R&B, Soul, Soul/R & B, Soul/R&B, Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues, Urban
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Label:Virgin Records Us
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UPC:724384608927
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Approx. Price:$17.98
(USD)
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Review - Amazon.com :
Friendship, love, nostalgia, and truth are the fertile lyrical ingredients that color the melodic canvas of Vandross's 13th album. A master of R&B vocal phrasing, jazzy composition, and pop string arrangements, Vandross remains on point with standout tunes such as "Keeping My Faith in You," "Are You Using Me?" and "Religion." However, the veteran singer also explores fresh creative paths on which to deliver his rich, trademark vocals. He raises the stakes by going uncharacteristically up-tempo with the inventive "Nights in Harlem," where he recalls festive sentimental memories. The equally spirited "Get It Right" pushes the artist's established aesthetic even further by tapping into subtle but contemporary hip-hop beats and rhymes by budding female rapper Precise. --J.R. ReynoldsCustomer review - 2004-05-27
- Quiet StormLuther put himself back in the mix with 1994s hit `Songs' (an album of covers), and followed it up with two Quiet Storm-styled albums, 1996s `Your Secret Love' and this one, 1998s `I Know'. And for my money, this has to be the most pleasurable album Luther cut since his 1981 debut `Never Too Much'. The production here is soft and elegant, the grooves are smooth and Luther's vocals are strong & he puts together a great set that covers all sides of love & relationships. The ballads are sweet, the dance floor numbers are straight fire, and even Rodney Darkchild Jerkins drops in to lace Luther with a typically catchy hip hop beat to remix `Nights In Harlem', and brings Gang Starrs emcee Guru too. Stevie Wonder plays his harmonica on the title track, and Luther himself is able to reach back & inject some soul into `When I Need You'. `I'm Only Human' rides some wicked guitar picking, and `Religion' is just downright funky... Really, I could go over every song, this is such a great set. My personal pic has to be the sweet & dreamy 'Dream Lover', what a groove! I give credit to Luther for his rebirth in music with fresh albums like 'Songs', 'Your Secret Love' and 'I Know', a little classic trilogy. 'I Know' is probably my favorite Luther album ever, I don't say this often but this is one album that is actually an essential part of my day to day life, & it can be for you too if you're struggling through relationships or trying to get with someone. Recommended.
Customer review - 2005-04-07
- A Masterpeice!! It's hard to believe that 7 years from the release of this CD that me and my wife still play this CD more than any other CD. It sounds just as new and refreshing since the very first time that we played it. This is the one CD that we take where ever we go when we travel.
This is Luther's most complete album since "The Night I Fell In Love" or "Give Me The Reason." This album's only downfall is that it was recorded on Virgin Records, which obvioiusly had no idea how to market this disc. This CD does not contain that one killer single to get alot of radio air-play, but that's also the beauty of this disc, becasue that killer song would be the one song that you would skip over becasue you're tired of hearing it!!
The CD kicks off with the socially conscious always controversal subject of religion with "Keeping My Faith In You."
It is simply eloquent. Luther is in top form when he sings this song and it took me a few spins to figure out why he would kick-off a CD with this song? I know now that it is a powerful track that Luther feels quite comfortable singing about and it shows on this song.
Track 2- "Isn't There Someone" is a song penned by Luther and Richard Marx (Dance With My Father). This song is for everybody!!! It's a song that everyone can relate to. You can hear the emptiness in his heart when he sings this song. This is one of several highlights on this disc.
3- "Religion": Refer to my comments on track 1 except this track deals with being accepted by your peers and leaving the judging to which ever higher being you believe in. Great !!!!
4- "Get It Right": Simply "down right funky"!! Precise provides the rap on this track while producers Terrence "Tramp Baby" Abney and Luther provide one of Luther's most listenable uptempo cuts since "Stop To Love." Was urban adult radio ever issued a non-rap version of this cut?
5- "I Know"- Luther and Stevie Wonder on harmonica. It's the only track that I recall Luther promoting on the disc. Beautiful song!!
6- "I'm Only Human" - AWWWWESOMEEE!! Featuring Bob James and Cassandra Wilson. The music arrangements are unique and quite refreshing while the vocalist compliment each other nicely.
7- "Nights In Harlem" - This jam is just full of that old school funk that anyone who grew up in the '70's or '80's can relate to. It's just a real "good time groove"!!
8- "Dream Lover" - This is my favorite song on the disc. This is what Luther does best. He has a way of taking subjects that everyone can relate to but not everyone talks about. The words and music are on point!! Gotta give an extra shout-out to the background vocalist becasue they actually complete the song and make it whole.
9- "When I Need You" - Unlike others, I find this remake very refreshing. I loved the orignal version (Leo Sayer) back in the '70's and I can't understand why some would call this song "corny." Granted, it's not as mesmerizing as his other ballads, but to me it stands just as tall as "Other Side Of The World." And if I didn't know any better, I would have thought that Luther's version is the original.
10- "Are You Using Me" - This is my least favorite track on the disc but I love it!! It's a great dance song and sounds good when I'm BBQ'ing!!!!
11- "Are You Mad At Me" - Again. Luther's vocals simply shine on the melodic track. It's an easy song to like.
12- "Now That I Have You" - It starts of kinda corny, but after a few listens, you will fall in love with this song. It's a beautiful love song that would compliment "any who has a heart" and enjoys being in love.
13- "Nights in Harlam (Remix)" - Ohh This is just HOTT!!!
This CD is for anyone who enjoys some really great music!!!
Customer review - 2003-01-04
- "I Know " this is as good as it gets!Humongous Luther fan that counts over 600 CD's in my collection of all types of music. I would rate this #1 of all of Luther's by far, and top 20 of my entire collection. It's amazing that 2 of the best tracks are upbeat pieces that people have complained about. This is Luther at his best; great combo on CD of fast & slow moving tracks with super backup vocalists & instrumentalists. His latest CD pales in comparison with this one. What an effort!
Customer review - 1998-12-13
- Another great album from LutherWonderful album. The man continues to deliver soothing love songs and melodies. Always puts you in the right mood. The addition in this album of the rap/hip hop is also wonderful.It's kind of like sitting down to a great meal and having that little extra spice that makes the dish extra special. I can't say anything else about this wonderful recording artist other than I can't wait for his next album. LUTHER DELIVERS!
Customer review - 2002-09-22
- A Criminally Underrated Album.It's a crime that Luther's first album since leaving Sony underperformed on the charts. While it's no instant classic like "Never Too Much" or "Forever, For Always, For Love," it does feature some of his very best work. "Now That I Have You" is a soaring love ballad for the ages, with Vandross's flawless delivery as he effortlessly brings to life the sincerity of the touching lyrics. He also stands out in the title track (with Stevie Wonder guesting), "Keeping My Faith in You," and "I'm Only Human." But Luther doesn't really cut loose until he teams up with the revered DJs Masters at Work (Kenny "Dope" Gonzales and Little Louie Vega) for the disco-flavored "Are You Using Me." There's some rap that desperately tries to update his sound, but it hardly damages the album. "I Know" is a criminally slept-on disc that deserves a second chance.
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