This Close to You
Luther Vandross · 1977
39 min · 9 tracks · funk
Smooth harmonies and lush arrangements create a heartfelt exploration of love and longing, anchored by Vandross's soaring vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Is for Real Start here — The opening track sets the tone with its vibrant instrumentation and passionate delivery, illustrating Vandross's ability to blend funk and soul seamlessly.
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Don’t Wanna Be a Fool — This song showcases Vandross's emotional range, capturing the pain of heartache with an intensity that resonates throughout the album.
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Come Back to Love — A standout ballad where Vandross's vocal prowess shines, it captures a yearning sentiment that exemplifies the themes of love and reconciliation present in the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong vocal performances and arrangements but lacks the cohesion and distinctiveness of Vandross's later work.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that establishes a smooth groove, followed by a series of songs that gradually introduce more complex harmonies.
- Several tracks incorporate lush string arrangements that complement the rhythm section, enhancing the overall romantic atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- smooth melodies for romantic evenings
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- emotive vocals for heartfelt moments
- consistent emotional journey throughout
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat party anthems
- seek experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This was Vandross's debut solo album, establishing his reputation in R&B.
- Career context
- This Close to You was Luther Vandross's debut solo album, released in 1977 after his tenure as a background vocalist. At this point, he was transitioning from behind-the-scenes work into the spotlight, having contributed to notable projects with artists like David Bowie and Chaka Khan. His move to a solo career marked the beginning of a significant journey in R&B and soul music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Barry White· Marvin Gaye· Al Green
Tracklist
- 1 This Is for Real Start here 4:13
- 2 A Lovers Change 2:57
- 3 Don’t Take the Time 5:16
- 4 The Jealousy in Me 4:30
- 5 I’m Not Satisfied 4:31
- 6 This Close to You 3:31
- 7 Don’t Wanna Be a Fool 3:20
- 8 Come Back to Love 5:05
- 9 Follow My Love 5:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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