Album: This Close to You

Introduction
" This Close to You" is the debut studio album by famous American vocalist, songwriter, and record producer Luther Vandross. Released on April 1, 1977, by Cotillion Records, the album includes 9 beautiful tracks mixing soul, R&B, and pop genres. At the time, Vandross was 26 years old and had actually currently gained significant experience and recognition as a support vocalist and arranger for artists such as David Bowie, Bette Midler, and Chic. This album marked the beginning of an outstanding career that would cover over 3 decades and witness the release of 13 more studio albums, making Luther Vandross among the most successful and prominent R&B artists of his generation.

Production and Collaborations
For his very first solo album, Luther Vandross had enlisted the assistance of several gifted musicians and songwriters to deal with the compositions and arrangements. Vandross himself served not only as the diva however also as a singing arranger and assistant manufacturer. He worked together with the album's primary producer, Richard Rome, who had worked with diverse artists such as The Trammps and MFSB.

Some of the popular artists involved in the album included guitarist Charles Fearing, bassist Keith Loving, and drummer Yogi Horton, who would later on become Vandross's long-term collaborator. Several background singers likewise added to the rich noise of the album, consisting of Diane Sumler, Patti Austin, and Vandross's close friend and future singing partner, Cissy Houston.

Track Listing
" This Close to You" features 9 tracks that display Luther Vandross's singing expertise and a penchant for integrating emotional ballads with catchy, uptempo numbers. The album is a mix of original tunes and covers, representing a wide variety of feelings and state of minds. A few of the standout tracks include:

1. Funky Music (Is a Part of Me) - An energetic, groove-heavy tune that highlights Vandross's love for funk and dance-oriented music.
2. The 2nd Time Around - A sweet, romantic ballad that reviews the complexities of love and relationships.
3. I'll Be There - A wholehearted cover of the Jackson 5's 1970 hit, showcasing Vandross's capability to make traditional tunes his own.
4. Emotion Eyes - A smoldering sluggish jam that highlights the depth of Vandross's emotional range as a vocalist.
5. This Close to You - The title track and another sincere ballad that exemplifies the album's main style of love and longing.
6. A House is not a Home - One of Vandross's the majority of iconic songs, later on becoming one of his signature strikes, this cover of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David timeless features Vandross's flawless vocal control and psychological expressiveness.
7. You're the Sweetest One - An uplifting and cheerful track that showcases Vandross's capability to switch effortlessly in between tender ballads and dynamic, feel-good tunes.
8. Any Day Now - Another cover of a Burt Bacharach and Hal David structure, this reflective song ponders the end of a relationship.
9. Evergreen - The album closes with a cover of Barbra Streisand's famous song from the film "A Star is Born", showing Vandross's flexibility as a singer and adding his special touch to this well-known ballad.

Tradition
Although "This Close to You" didn't accomplish considerable business success at the time of its release, the album laid the groundwork for Luther Vandross's thriving profession as a singer, songwriter, and producer. It used a glimpse of the singing talent and emotional depth that would end up being the hallmarks of Vandross's music. With time, many of the tracks on the album acquired recognition and became fan favorites, with tunes like "A House is not a Home" and "You're the Sweetest One" remaining performance staples throughout Vandross's career. Overall, "This Close to You" serves as a testimony to the undeniable skill and potential of a young artist on the edge of ending up being a legend on the planet of R&B and soul music.