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.

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+

luther vandross was and is the only ultimate love doctor that i have known and his music says it all. he was a legend in this life and hopefully in his current life. RIP luther.

All good songs. My only complaint is that the tracks are off by 2. So, #17 and #18 showed up as #1 & #2, putting everything out of order compared to the listing on the CD case. Other than that, nothing wrong. It's a great CD.

When a disc has the word "ultimate" in its title, it should be expected to encompass the best, if not all, in an artist's collection. Sadly, though the release is representative of many of the hits in Vandross's lengthy and stellar career, it is lacking so many others that the title is a misnomer.

Boasting only two "new" tracks, the others, as has been stated before, can be found on other compilations, along with the ones that should've been included here.

Luther deserved a better "tribute." Hopefully, a real ULTIMATE PACKAGE will be forthcoming!