Forever, For Always, For Luther

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: Rex Rideout; Craig Bauer; Jo Smith; Justin Smith; Mark Green; Rick Braun; Steve Sykes; Boney James; Brian Culbertson
Producer: Rex Rideout; Bud Harner; Boney James; Brian Culbertson; Rex Rideout; Bud Harner
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Tributee: Luther Vandross. Personnel: Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi (vocals, background vocals); Cindy Mizelle, Brenda White-King, Fonzi Thornton, Lisa Fischer (vocals); Dwight Sills, George Benson , Paul Jackson, Jr. , T.M. Stevens, Ray Fuller (guitar); Brandon Fields (saxophone); Dave Koz (soprano saxophone); Mindi Abair (alto saxophone); Kirk Whalum, Richard Elliot, Boney James (tenor saxophone); Lee Thornburg (trumpet); Rick Braun (flugelhorn); Nick Lane (trombone); Brian Culbertson (piano, keyboards, bass synthesizer, drum programming); Rex Rideout (keyboards, programming); Alex Al (electric bass); Michael White , Steve Ferrone (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion). Audio Mixer: Ray Bardani. Recording information: BCM Studios; Boney Studios; Brauntosauras Studios; Castle oaks; Ectasy Studios; Green Room; Hinge; Kar Studio; Tree House; Westlake Audio. Author: Mary Ida Vandross. Photographers: Rocky Schenck; Donald Miller; Peggy Moore; Kwaku Alston; Joanne Nerlino; Senor McGuire; Daniel Ray; Will Downing. Forever, for Always, for Luther is an emotional and heartfelt tribute to the legendary R&B vocalist Luther Vandross, who suffered a diabetes-induced stroke in April 2003 that left him in a coma for several weeks. Top contemporary jazz artists revisit several of his major hits and enable listeners to feel the passion and love for the man and his music. Such songs as "Any Love," featuring saxophonist Kirk Whalum, take the collection to creative and harmonic heights. "If Only for One Night" features Dave Koz on soprano saxophone and Brian Culbertson on keyboards, rediscovering the R&B ballad with a seductive laid-back midtempo groove. Trumpeter Rick Braun plays the sentimental "Dance With My Father," which was the last record Vandross recorded prior to suffering the stroke. This song went on to win multiple Grammy awards in 2004 and ends the recording on an emotional high note. The music on Forever, for Always, for Luther comes from a period that had an indelible imprint on many of Luther Vandross' fans and friends, other musicians, and R&B history. It is an exceptional tribute to an excellent musician. ~ Paula Edelstein Through over a quarter-century of pouring his heart into the most tender of love songs, of stirring the most passionate of fires in women everywhere, Luther Vandross has become synonymous with smooth soul. Therefore, it's not surprising that his songs would translate readily to the smoothest of jazz interpretations. On 2004's FOREVER, FOR ALWAYS, FOR LUTHER, a gathering of jazz all-stars pays tribute to the living legend. Fittingly, the emphasis of the disc is on Vandross's ballads, which make up the bulk of his work. Saxophonists bookend the collection neatly, with Kirk Whalum gliding his way around the lightly rousing "Any Love" and Rick Braun closing the set with a take on Vandross's Grammy-winning "Dance with My Father." Another saxophonist, Mindi Abair, performs a nice rendition of one of his peppiest numbers--the 1985 hit "Stop to Love." Vandross's music also translates remarkably well to guitar, as Paul Jackson, Jr. and George Benson each offer polished, pleasant tunes. FOREVER, FOR ALWAYS, FOR LUTHER stands as a fitting homage to a modern R&B legend.

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