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

[jack020]

My copy of the Luther LP arrived yesterday so now I can compare the original Lp to the new one.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

My copy of the Luther LP arrived yesterday so now I can compare the original Lp to the new one.

That's great, Jack! Does your new LP version contain the Bonus Track "The Second Time Around" [[Instrumental Version)? It's actually the entire track WITH BACK-UP VOCALS minus Luther's lead vocals -- with a special surprise at the end! Man, those girls sound better than ever! At last, it's an "Instrumental" version that I actually love and revere!

https://youtu.be/m8STPkAtuvs?si=KfxZs593BML8NjZZ

[Philles/Motown Gary]

GROUP NAME: LUTHER
LP TITLE: "Luther"
GROUP MEMBERS: Luther Vandross, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Theresa V. Reed, and Christine Wiltshire
LABEL & CATALOG #: Cotillion SD 9907
LP RELEASE DATE: May 1976

Here is the long-awaited CD version of Luther Vandross' first Cotillion LP, "Luther", in its entirety:

1) Funky Music Is A Part Of Me
https://youtu.be/DHudPIoeL2E?si=5k9UfJBej5mqWamp

2) The Second Time Around
https://youtu.be/CF83C4LoLeI?si=S77O4P_H6Gpl1txN

3) I'll Get Along Fine
https://youtu.be/LvfUhuVbc5c?si=hxmferrQDYYyzHsq

4) Everybody Rejoice [[From The Wiz)
https://youtu.be/qhzq8ho0BgA?si=PaPpp6C981Cx9AKi

5) Emotion Eyes
https://youtu.be/52YPkg7828k?si=sYO3OGh0KCN-KlVx

6) This Strange Feeling
https://youtu.be/Ys6FF8qj6do?si=MHKHOtEpy5qQrlm0

7) It's Good For The Soul [[Parts 1 & 2)
https://youtu.be/TQ8DX5uaoQc?si=N2bHuJNJsbX5uW_E

BONUS TRACK:

8) The Second Time Around [[Instrumental)
https://youtu.be/m8STPkAtuvs?si=-ogFpFT-wcbKo1BW

[jack020]

Gary, sadly no bonus track but as a big Luther fan [[saw him live once in Miami with the Sounds Of Blackness as support and returning for Power Of Love) I ordered both CDs also.

[smallworld]

Who duets on "I'll Get Along Fine"?

The album cover is odd. From the logo design, I would assume that the act was hard rock.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Gary, sadly no bonus track but as a big Luther fan [[saw him live once in Miami with the Sounds Of Blackness as support and returning for Power Of Love) I ordered both CDs also.

You saw Luther live? Man, you are so lucky! I have a few of his live DVDs and they're fantastic! He, his orchestra, and his back-up girls put on one heck of a show while sounding every bit as exciting live as they do in the studio.

Glad to hear that you're buying both of Luther's Cotillion CDs. Me, too! I'm really looking forward to his "This Close To You" CD on June 7.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Who duets on "I'll Get Along Fine"?

The album cover is odd. From the logo design, I would assume that the act was hard rock.

Smallworld, according to the credits In the very small booklet, "I'll Get Along Fine" is a duet between Luther himself and group member Diane Sumler. It really Is a beautiful track. It's a shame that Atlantic/Cotillion didn't promote the album back in the day and nobody got to hear it.

Funny you should mention the lettering on the album's front cover. I was just reading earlier this past evening that other music fans and record buyers had also thought it was a hard rock album because of the lettering!