I Know

Luther Vandross | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 11, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000009OGR
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,134 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Friendship, love, nostalgia, and truth are the fertile lyrical ingredients that color the melodic canvas of Vandross's 13th album. A master of R&B vocal phrasing, jazzy composition, and pop string arrangements, Vandross remains on point with standout tunes such as "Keeping My Faith in You," "Are You Using Me?" and "Religion." However, the veteran singer also explores fresh creative paths on which to deliver his rich, trademark vocals. He raises the stakes by going uncharacteristically up-tempo with the inventive "Nights in Harlem," where he recalls festive sentimental memories. The equally spirited "Get It Right" pushes the artist's established aesthetic even further by tapping into subtle but contemporary hip-hop beats and rhymes by budding female rapper Precise. --J.R. Reynolds

Vibe

...Luther Vandross adds a little hip hop and house flavor to his detectable R7B brew.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpeice!!, April 7, 2005

By 

D. Rudd (Willingboro, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Know (Audio CD)

It's hard to believe that 7 years from the release of this CD that me and my wife still play this CD more than any other CD. It sounds just as new and refreshing since the very first time that we played it. This is the one CD that we take where ever we go when we travel.


This is Luther's most complete album since "The Night I Fell In Love" or "Give Me The Reason." This album's only downfall is that it was recorded on Virgin Records, which obvioiusly had no idea how to market this disc. This CD does not contain that one killer single to get alot of radio air-play, but that's also the beauty of this disc, becasue that killer song would be the one song that you would skip over becasue you're tired of hearing it!!


The CD kicks off with the socially conscious always controversal subject of religion with "Keeping My Faith In You."
It is simply eloquent. Luther is in top form when he sings this song and it took me a few spins to figure out why he would kick-off a CD with this song? I know now that it is a powerful track that Luther feels quite comfortable singing about and it shows on this song.

Track 2- "Isn't There Someone" is a song penned by Luther and Richard Marx (Dance With My Father). This song is for everybody!!! It's a song that everyone can relate to. You can hear the emptiness in his heart when he sings this song. This is one of several highlights on this disc.

3- "Religion": Refer to my comments on track 1 except this track deals with being accepted by your peers and leaving the judging to which ever higher being you believe in. Great !!!!

4- "Get It Right": Simply "down right funky"!! Precise provides the rap on this track while producers Terrence "Tramp Baby" Abney and Luther provide one of Luther's most listenable uptempo cuts since "Stop To Love." Was urban adult radio ever issued a non-rap version of this cut?

5- "I Know"- Luther and Stevie Wonder on harmonica. It's the only track that I recall Luther promoting on the disc. Beautiful song!!

6- "I'm Only Human" - AWWWWESOMEEE!! Featuring Bob James and Cassandra Wilson. The music arrangements are unique and quite refreshing while the vocalist compliment each other nicely.

7- "Nights In Harlem" - This jam is just full of that old school funk that anyone who grew up in the '70's or '80's can relate to. It's just a real "good time groove"!!

8- "Dream Lover" - This is my favorite song on the disc. This is what Luther does best. He has a way of taking subjects that everyone can relate to but not everyone talks about. The words and music are on point!! Gotta give an extra shout-out to the background vocalist becasue they actually complete the song and make it whole.

9- "When I Need You" - Unlike others, I find this remake very refreshing. I loved the orignal version (Leo Sayer) back in the '70's and I can't understand why some would call this song "corny." Granted, it's not as mesmerizing as his other ballads, but to me it stands just as tall as "Other Side Of The World." And if I didn't know any better, I would have thought that Luther's version is the original.

10- "Are You Using Me" - This is my least favorite track on the disc but I love it!! It's a great dance song and sounds good when I'm BBQ'ing!!!!

11- "Are You Mad At Me" - Again. Luther's vocals simply shine on the melodic track. It's an easy song to like.

12- "Now That I Have You" - It starts of kinda corny, but after a few listens, you will fall in love with this song. It's a beautiful love song that would compliment "any who has a heart" and enjoys being in love.

13- "Nights in Harlam (Remix)" - Ohh This is just HOTT!!!

This CD is for anyone who enjoys some really great music!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I Know " this is as good as it gets!, January 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: I Know (Audio CD)

Humongous Luther fan that counts over 600 CD's in my collection of all types of music. I would rate this #1 of all of Luther's by far, and top 20 of my entire collection. It's amazing that 2 of the best tracks are upbeat pieces that people have complained about. This is Luther at his best; great combo on CD of fast & slow moving tracks with super backup vocalists & instrumentalists. His latest CD pales in comparison with this one. What an effort!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars return to form, July 15, 2002

By 

Stuart MacDonnell (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Know (Audio CD)

I know this album divided a lot of Luther fans with its inclusion of elements of hip-hop etc. but it really is the inclusion of those elements that make this his most satisfying album since The Power Of Love. It's actually the non-ballad stuff that works best. The mid-tempo title track and I'm Only Human (with Cassandra Wilson) are absolute highlights in terms of understated vocals and sympathetic arrangements hung on really good melodies. Likewise, grooves like Religion, Get It Right and Are You Using Me? have enough spunk in their arrangements and vocals to really carry you away. The only low point is the plodding When I Need You - not a song that warranted covering.