March 30, 2012

Link

Press release:

The overwhelming talent of the late Luther Vandross is the focus of Hidden Gems. This new collection of 15 seldom-heard album tracks and movie soundtrack songs will arrive in stores on April 17, 2012, just three day's prior to Luther's birthday on April 20.

In the liner notes written by Luther's life-long collaborator Fonzi Thornton, the album is described as "a deeper dig into the musical treasure trove of Luther Vandross, uncovering lesser known songs and performances that he endowed with the same passion and love as his well known repertoire."

Hidden Gems was compiled and produced in association with Luther's family, his niece Seveda Williams and cousin Brenda Shields, in order to present "an album compilation with a different theme his fans might enjoy, a collection which highlights Luther's ideas of song selection and how they complement THAT VOICE.

Hidden Gems will allow casual listeners to discover songs they never heard, and devoted fans the opportunity to re-live what they loved about Luther Vandross.

Track List:

''When You Call On Me (Baby That’s When I Come Runnin’)'' (I)
''Once You Know How'' (B)
''I Know You Want To'' (C)
''Once Were Lovers'' (M)
''You Stopped Loving Me'' (A)
''The Impossible Dream'' (F)
''Are You Using Me?'' (J)
''Goin’ Out Of My Head'' (H)
''The Thrill I’m In'' (G)
''Heart Of A Hero'' (E)
''Buy Me A Rose'' (M)
''I (Who Have Nothing) (duet with Martha Wash)'' (D)
''I’d Rather'' (K)
''Like I'm Invisible'' (K)
''You Really Started Something'' (L)

Album index:

(A) – from Never Too Much (Epic Records, released 1981)
(B) – from Forever, For Always, For Love (Epic, released 1982)
(C) – from Any Love (Epic, released 1988)
(D) – from Power Of Love (Epic, released 1991)
(E) – from Hero soundtrack (Sony Music, released 1992)
(F) – from Songs (Epic, released 1994)
(G) – from Money Train soundtrack (Sony Music, released 1995)
(H) – from Your Secret Love (Epic, released 1996)
(I) – from One Night With You: The Best Of Love, Volume 2 (released 1997)
(J) – from I Know (Virgin Records, released 1998)
(K) – from Luther Vandross (J Records, released 2001)
(L) – from Luther Vandross (Japanese Version, RCA Records, released 2001)
(M) – from Dance With My Father (J Records, released 2003)

"You Stopped Loving Me" one of the best songs on the Never Too Much album

Luther always had hot album cuts. But if you already have all of his records, why buy? Maybe this is geared towards that casual fan.

God, I hate this. There are some really good songs on this set, but unless they are alternative trax, I think I'll pass. The rarest things I see are the soundtrack tracks.

I do love this one, though.

[Edited 3/21/12 10:39am]

It's hard to believe that they don't have any unreleased vault material that could be released instead of rehashing what's already out there.

Same old material? Following the Mj formula I see.

kitbradley said:

It's hard to believe that they don't have any unreleased vault material that could be released instead of rehashing what's already out there.

I'm sure they have some. I heard Jam and Lewis say that they had material they had produced with Luther that had not been released. "Shine" was only one of the trax.

I'm sure Nat Adderly and Marcus Miller have some stuff also.

If they were smart, they would reissue the Luther albums (the group). His estate owns those masters. They could issue those in limited numbers to spark an interest in his back catalog.

I guess they'll do like the Marvin Gaye estate and try to stretch this thing out over the next 20 or so years.

I would love to see expanded remasters of Epic albums (from NTM to Power of Love at least). Especially "The Night I Fell In Love." That is my favorite Luther album and I would love to have a nice remaster with bonus trax, alternative versions and outtakes.

Good idea! Luther was an album artist. Every cut was a gem. About time his legacy is not being ignored. There are other black great artist that passed away that need to be recognized besides Michael Jackson & the late great Whitney..

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Good idea! Luther was an album artist. Every cut was a gem. About time his legacy is not being ignored. There are other black great artist that passed away that need to be recognized besides Michael Jackson & the late great Whitney..

I think it all depends on the estate. It's not about the record companies so much.