Many folks aren't aware that singer Luther Vandross, before becoming a solo sensation in the 1980s, once fronted a group called LUTHER. The first, self-named album was released in 1976 with the second, This Close to You, coming the following year. Later, Vandross bought back both albums and they've never been reissued. https://www.waxpoetics.co...ery/luther

mikemike13 said:

Thanks to Wax Poetics, this is the first I've ever heard about Luther having an album ourtside of backing up Bowie, Change and his version of Papillon ( Hot Butterfly ) with Gregg Diamond. That album cover featured for the group Luther was too rock/ heavy metal which may have confused at least one person thumbing through the viynl racks.

The original vinyl LPs are also pretty rare. Not sure why they remain unreleased on CD and digital. They are underwhelming compared to his Sony output but still deserve reissues.

[Edited 3/8/21 7:31am]

MotownSubdivision said:

First I ever heard of this.

My grandmother had a mixed artist 8-track someone had made for her with a song by the Luther group called Funky Music. Another relative had their album, which was later given to my mother. It has the song Brand New Day that was from The Wiz. On The Wiz movie version Luther Vandross is singing the first line. I have The Wiz soundtrack.

Thanks for the info, Mike. I like the songs. Hopefully they will get a release on Vinyl or CD.

Bar band?