Luther Vandross

For black pop music, this is an exhilarating, unsettling time. Never before have so many
black performers been so successful in the world of mainstream pop. Not only have such
sure bets as Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston scored big, but there have also been
breakthroughs by such wild cards as Run-D.M.C., Sade and Anita Baker – acts that would
have had difficulty cracking even the black Top Ten a few years back. The pop... More >

If only Luther had a little less integrity he might sell out--he's such a great singer he could transform crossover twaddle into universal trivia without even breathing hard. Alas, he's also such a great singer he doesn't have to. But not such a great singer he can interest simple pop fans in his own songs. (Grade: B)