Never Let Me Go is the eighth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released on May 26, 1993, in the US by Epic. It was his first studio album not to debut at #1 on the R&B Albums chart.
Los Angeles Times critic Dennis Hunt called Never Let Me Go "another classy collection of mostly slow and medium-tempo romantic songs--some gliding along on elegant, light-gospel undercurrent – featuring his high, cooing, sexy vocals [...] The album doesn’t offer much variety, and sometimes Vandross’ brand of lush soul feels mannered. There are no surprises either, but Vandross knows his audience isn’t looking for surprises."[5]Entertainment Weekly felt that "Vandross’'albums always come this close to perfection – and Never Let Me Go is no exception. As always, his enunciation is eloquent, his phrasing fierce; and the R&B as smooth as glass. This time Luther stumbles where he usually triumphs, on covers."[4]
AllMusic editor Ron Wynn found that the album "contains more examples of his supple, fluid vocals, expert delivery, and sophisticated yet soulful style [...] Perhaps the only sign of creative wear and tear is the album's structure; there's no real blockbuster single, and the final medley, which blends classics from The Spinners and Bee Gees, sounds thrown together, but these production and arranging elements do not diminish his vocal prowess."[1]Rolling Stone's J.D. Considine wrote that "Never Let Me Go, like most Luther Vandross albums, is a flawless display of technique blessed with exquisite singing, well-crafted arrangements and a mix that has been tweaked to perfection. Unfortunately, the end result is more soporific than soulful — meaning that all Vandross ends up with is the quiet-storm equivalent of elevator music."[7]
