You know, it's been fourteen years since "If Loving You Is Wrong" and something like nine years since we last had an album from Luther Ingram. And yet, after one listen to Luther's new album (rather unimaginatively tagged "Luther Ingram"), it's as if the crooner has never been away. But he has!



LUTHER'S BACK IN BUSINESS!

You know, it's been fourteen years since "If Loving You Is Wrong" and something like nine years since we last had an album from Luther Ingram. And yet, after one listen to Luther's new album (rather unimaginatively tagged "Luther Ingram"), it's as if the crooner has never been away. But he has!

 "I stayed away on purpose", Luther explains, having just witnessed Bruce Willis perform a song he wrote ("Respect Yourself", a song so perfectly originally recorded by the Staple Singers) on the Pointer Sisters TV special.

 "Koko Records was in litigation and I was held up contractually in the process. I needed a brand new, fresh start and it has taken me the best part of nine years to get all of that behind me. Then, when I did become free, I didn't jump at the first offer. I wanted to wait until something right came along because I didn't want to get caught up again.

 "Profile is the kind of company I can feel comfortable with. They are young, aggressive, they have a clean record and the people seem to be good people, with strong religious convictions. All of that is important to me because I am a great believer in total

togetherness. In some ways, it reminds me of the way we were at Koko ? but with some major changes."

Some very major changes! At a conservative estimate, Luther alleges he was cheated out of in excess of two million dollars during his Koko days. I'll say that again ? two million big bucks! More than a million and a quarter pounds!

 "But I'm really not bitter," he says with a wry smile. "I got a lot out of it and I learned a great deal. It educated me and, in Johnny Baylor, I had the best coach imaginable. Until we got into the studio we had a kind of bittersweet relationship. I'm a Sagittarius and he was a Gemini so it was a case of opposites attract;.:g! Now, when I look back, I think that what he wanted most in life was to sing and he tried to do that through me."

 In the ensuing years, "If Loving You Is Wrong" has been recorded by a whole slew of varying artists. Isaac Hayes had the European hit with the song because Luther's original was actually never officially released outside of America. Then came Barbara Mandrell and her Country version. Later on, both Millie Jackson and Rod Stewart recorded the song.

 "Naturally, I liked the way Isaac did it but I think my all-time favourite has to have been Barbara Mandrell's", Luther says, surprisingly. "She had a real natural groove to her version. Millie's seemed to lose the actual melody too much ? it was kind of rough and gruff.

 "I also liked Rod Stewart's version ? I always liked his voice and he had a nice arrangement to his. He always says that one of his all-time great heroes was Sam Cooke so we also have that in common."

So much for all our yesterdays. What of today and tomorrow? "Well, I think my time is now ? the timing couldn't be better because melodies are right back in fashion," Luther points out.

 "I'm happy with this album. It's a good comeback album. But, for the next album, I intend to produce myself. Mainly because I don't think anyone can produce me like I can myself. I already have the material ready.

"I also hope to get back on the road behind this album. Eventually to Europe, too, because that's something I completely missed out on before and I've heard so many great things about Europe. "I have also offered some new songs to Bruce Willis so it's conceivable that I might even get to produce something on him in the future. It's funny, I just watched that Pointer Sister TV special and I have one song that would be perfect for them. My Wife, Jacqueline, actually wrote it ? it's called "My Man" and Stevie Wonder worked on the track with her. I'd love to get into them because they'd tear it up.

 "But the important thing is that I'm back!" (B&S JA)