Luther Vandross - Both 1970's LUTHER Cotillion Albums Seeing Light Of Day On CD!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

My CD copy of Luther Vandross' very first 1976 self-titled Cotillion album [[under the group name Luther) arrived yesterday. It sounds great, and the tracks are well-paced. My favorites are the ballads. I had completely forgotten that it contains an early version of Luther's first attempt at the beautiful "The Second Time Around" which he later re-recorded for his 1988 "Any Love" CD. Comparing the earlier Cotillion version with the later Epic version has proven that differences are subtle to the point where it's hard to spot them, as both versions are equally gorgeous --- easily my favorite Luther Vandross song of all time:

1) Original 1976 Cotillion version by the group Luther:
https://youtu.be/CF83C4LoLeI?si=DdGj78CZBMNbx-OB

2) 1988 Luther Vandross "Any Love" CD Version on Epic:
https://youtu.be/V3rSaqTHT8k?si=D-NxkumBkW-Cf9Ip

3) New CD Bonus Track:
"The Second Time Around" [[Instrumental Version) which is actually the entire track including back-up vocals minus Luther's lead vocals until a special surprise at the end!
https://youtu.be/m8STPkAtuvs?si=KfxZs593BML8NjZZ

Since Luther's untimely death in 2005, I remember reading [[probably in his 2014 Biography, "Luther: The Life And Longing Of Luther Vandross" by Craig Seymour) that Luther had once stated that his two "Luther" Cotillion albums would never be reissued on CD. I remember how my heart sank upon learning that, especially after Luther's untimely passing, but I'm truly grateful that those 2 CDs are now a reality -- with the 2nd one available on June 7. [[See below)

LUTHER
"Luther"
1976 Cotillion LP Release
Now Available On CD!
Luther https://a.co/d/bzfRwp1
Click on photo to open, and scroll down for tracklist)

LUTHER
"This Close To You"
1977 Cotillion LP Release
Available On CD June 7
This Close To You https://a.co/d/gzukDSp
Click on photo to open, and scroll down for tracklist