Album: Never Too Much

Introduction
"Never Too Much" is the launching solo album by American vocalist, songwriter, and music manufacturer Luther Vandross. Released on August 12, 1981, the album marked the start of an effective solo career for Vandross, who had currently achieved acknowledgment for his work as a background singer, songwriter, and manufacturer for numerous artists. "Never Too Much" was launched by Epic Records and featured a mix of R&B, soul, funk, and disco designs, with Vandross as the main producer and songwriter.

Background and Production
Prior to the release of his debut album, Luther Vandross had contributed his vocal skills to several widely known artists such as David Bowie, Chic, Sister Sledge, and Roberta Flack. As a session singer and a backup singer, Vandross had actually already made an impression in the music market. Armed with his distinct smooth, emotional voice, Vandross aspired to make a name for himself as a solo artist.

"Never Too Much" brought Vandross a great deal of innovative control, permitting him to take the lead on producing and arranging the tunes alongside Marcus Miller, who played bass guitar and co-wrote numerous tracks. The album was tape-recorded at numerous studios in New York City, with Vandross working together with a talented group of artists, consisting of Nat Adderley Jr. on keyboards, Doc Powell on guitar, and Buddy Williams on drums.

Album Content and Style
"Never Too Much" includes 7 tracks, showcasing Vandross' flexibility and talent as a songwriter and vocalist. The album opens with the title track, an uptempo, danceable tune with a cool bassline and a catchy, sing-along chorus. "Never Too Much" turned into one of Vandross' signature tunes and remains a favorite amongst fans.

The 2nd track, "Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl)", is a romantic ballad with a captivating tune and heartfelt lyrics about finding real love. "Don't You Know That?" follows, a groovy, mid-tempo tune including an appealing guitar riff, punchy horns, and Vandross' emotional singing shipment.

The album's 4th track, "I've Been Working", is a laid-back, funky tune about the struggles of trying to make it in the music industry. This song presents another side of Vandross' flexible vocal variety, highlighting his smooth falsetto. "She's a Super Lady" is a seductive, disco-tinged tune that pays homage to strong, independent ladies.

"You Stopped Loving Me", the penultimate track on "Never Too Much", is a ballad composed by Vandross and Miller that showcases the vocalist's emotional, emotional shipment. The album concludes with "A House Is Not a Home", a cover of the timeless Burt Bacharach and Hal David song which was originally taped by Dionne Warwick. Vandross' performance is a moving, powerful interpretation of the track, showcasing his unbelievable vocal variety and emotive skills as a vocalist.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "Never Too Much" got extensive honor from music critics and listeners alike and performed well on the charts. The album peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums chart, remaining on the latter for 37 weeks. The title track reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs chart.

"Never Too Much" sealed Luther Vandross' status as a leading solo artist and a force in the world of R&B and soul music. The album's success paved the way for a long and storied career that made Vandross many awards and acknowledgment, including 8 Grammy Awards. Today, "Never Too Much" is thought about a timeless album and a cornerstone of Vandross' musical legacy.