The Best Of Norman Connors (2001)

From the CD's back cover:

Like George Benson, Norman Connors began his career in jazz but became best known for his '70s R&B hits. Connors features R&B singers prominently, and he proved an ace judge of young talent. The voices of the laste soul great Phyllis Hyman, Michael Henderson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jean Carn were first heard on Connors' albums. The Best of Norman Connors features highlights from seven albums, including the quiet storm classic "You Are My Starship."

The names of familiar jazz/R&B artists are sprinkled throughout the credits, including Tom Scott, Lee Ritenour, Gary Bartz, Herbie Hancock, Ernie Watts, Eddie Henderson, & Victor Feldman. And while the compilation is a little heavy on ballads, this is still a fantastic, highly enjoyable collection.

Liner notes by David Nathan.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

Title (and vocalist)	Year	R&B	Pop
Once I've Been There (Phillip Mitchell)	1977	16
You Are My Starship (Michael Henderson)	1976	4	27
This Is Your Life (Eleanor Mills)	1978	31
Betcha By Golly Wow (Phyllis Hyman)	1977	29	102
Be There In The Morning (Adaritha)	1979
We Both Need Each Other (Michael Henderson & Phyllis Hyman)	1976	23	101
Dindi (Jean Carn)	1975
Valentine Love (Michael Henderson & Jean Carn)	1975	10	97
Kingston (Adaritha)	1979
Love From The Sun (Dee Dee Bridgewater)	1973
Captain Connors	1977
Butterfly (Eleanor Mills & James Robinson)	1977
Mother Of The Future	1974
Romantic Journey (Eleanor Mills)	1976

My top picks today are Once I've Been There, This Is Your Life (written by Jimmy Webb), Be There In The Morning, Valentine Love, and Captain Connors.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I don't remember You Are My Starship from 1976, so my introduction to Connors was in 2014 as I was putting together my list of albums that charted on the Billboard Jazz Charts, 1976-85. At least that's the way I remember it.