Wow, just what we need...another Luther Vandross compilation, and this is the 2nd one titled 'The Ultimate'. No thanks!! Legacy & J Records should really get together and work on Luther's Box Set, which would be TRULY Ultimate. How can you even think about condensing Luther's 20+ year career onto a single CD...It just can't be done, and this CD is nothing but another sampler disc. Too many classic songs were left off! No disrespect to Luther (he probably wouldn't even endorse this collection!!), but like most folks, I have all of his CDs, so buying another lame compilation is simply out of the question, especially since I make my own CDs that include what I want to hear. I did purchase the 2 new tracks ('Shine' & 'Got You Home') online, but let's hope that a Luther Vandross box set is in the works. This single disc 'Ultimate Luther Vandross' gets 2 stars, and that's because they keep recycling the same music over & over again.

As for the 2 previously unreleased songs, the results are mixed! 'Shine', which samples Chic's 'My Forbidden Lover', is an uptempto track that benefits from Luther's smooth vocals (plus stellar production by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis..this track is a winner!). 'Got You Home', which is an INFERIOR version of the 2001 hit 'Take You Out', should've stayed in the vaults of J-Records! It has a demo quality about it, and was recorded during the sessions for 'Luther Vandross' (2001, J Records). The song lacks a true identity, was probably cast aside when the superior 'Take You Out' was included on the 2001 CD.

My verdict...'The Ultimate Luther Vandross' is great for new fans or for anybody who doesn't have a single CD in their collection by the legend. Longtime fans don't need this CD, but I'd recommend getting the track 'Shine' as opposed to buying the entire CD. If you already have the Grammy Award winning 'Dance With My Father' CD, consider adding 'Shine' as a cool bonus track.

Peace, SD
(of 'Chaka's World')

This past year, we've really lost a whole lot in the world of R&B music scene. From the horrific and shocking death of soul man and activist Lou Rawls, to the sad, tragic death of Pointer Sisters member June Pointer, who died from cancer a few months ago, there is so much we're losing in music and memory of so many great performers. That tragically happened as well last year with the terrible death of Luther Vandross. After battling a horrific fight from a disabilitating stroke, his loss was one of the most horrific blows ever. Now, nearly a year after his death, his memory and the sensual voice he left behind is honored with another greatest hits album.

The Ultimate Luther Vandross is a single disc reflection of Luther's golden voice that span his near 25 year career of great classic songs. Although there have been numerous greatest hits records of Luther's music that have been released and well-recognized like the 2003 Essential Luther Vandross within the past several years, this one gears itself as a re-introduction of his career to a younger generation who is more into acts like Beyonce', and Kelly Clarkson. Nevertheless, the collection does feature a lot of great songs like Power Of Love, his first hit A House Is Not A Home, the Grammy-winning Dance With My Father, Take You Out, and the well-rendered duets of Endless Love with Mariah Carey, and Closer I Get To You with Beyonce' Knowles to name a few. The album also includes a couple of never before released tracks Luther recorded prior to his death, such as the James Brown sampled R&B track Shine.

Although the record has so many great tracks, the album itself overlooks a whole number of great songs Luther had recorded over the years like Creepin', the elequent Don't Want To Be A Fool, and his great duets How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye with Dionne Warwick and There's Nothing Better Than Love with beloved tap dancer and actor Gregory Hines.

All in all, even though there are so many great songs that were missed, with so many people being geared more to Hip Hop than R&B and soul, it is easy to really forget about how talented classics like Luther Vandross have delivered some of the most delightful melodies ever. The Ultimate Luther Vandross still delivers nicely for new Luther Vandross fans, but also fairs well for die hard Luther fans too, on his new tracks and his J records era.

Album Cover: B

Songs: C+

Price: B-

Remastering: B 1/2+

Overall: C+

The 2006 version of The Ultimate Luther Vandross swaps out some of the earlier cuts contained on the 2001 version in favor of later material, such as "Dance with My Father" and he and Beyoncé's version of "The Closer I Get to You." What's baffling is that it leaves out some major hits in favor of a pair of previously unreleased tracks (including the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-produced, Chic-sampling "Shine") and the ballad Got You Home which could serve as a sequel to Take You Out(from 2001's Luther Vandross) , both of which are front-loaded in the sequence . Vandross was clearly one of the greatest singers of all time and this collection shows it.

There wwereas only two new songs on the CD, cost too much for so many old songs. I was dissapointed

Good product. Speedy delivery. Good and immediate contact from merchant/seller upon order confirmation, shipping, etc.