Far more flash than passion

Various artists

“So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross” (J)

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NOBODY celebrated the everyday delights and disappointments of love with more epic R&B; splendor than Luther Vandross, who died in July from complications of a 2003 stroke. So it makes sense that this homage to the singer-songwriter (due in stores Tuesday) is strained to the limit, pushed hard by such drama-suffused numbers as Usher’s overripe “Superstar” and Donna Summer’s hands-above-your-head disco-glory take on Vandross’ 1991 hit “Power of Love.”

Would that the collection had a little more soul.

Comprising both Vandross originals and covers he performed, these 15 tracks by such modern stars as Beyonce and Stevie Wonder (“So Amazing”) and Aretha Franklin (“A House Is Not a Home”) do reflect his flair for the dramatic, but they’re generally overwrought enough to tire out even fans of heavily produced R&B-pop.;

Any moment of simplicity, such as Babyface’s sweetly seductive opening to “If Only for One Night,” is quickly tarted up with strings, beats, vocals, guitars and keyboards. Even Mary J. Blige’s yearning, synth-funk rendition of “Never Too Much” is unnecessarily puffed up.

Despite Vandross’ tendencies toward the sweeping, at the heart of his best performances was ... heart. Here, only Angie Stone’s wistful, lonesome take on “Since I Lost My Baby” -- along with the heartfelt shout-outs offered by Wonder, Blige, Wyclef Jean and others -- transcends a sense of showy professionalism trumping real passion.

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