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CLEVELAND, OH (January 11, 2007) - Fans will continue to remember the life and legacy of Gerald Levert when Atlantic Records releases his last studio album, In My Songs, on February 13, 2007. The collection of new music from the beloved “teddy bear” was completely shortly before his untimely death on November 10, 2006. Written and produced entirely by Gerald and longtime musical associate Edwin “Tony” Nicholas, In My Songs is a soulful collection of love and R&B music that embodies who Gerald Levert was and confirms his legacy as the songwriter/producer who helped change the musical sound of his generation.
Born in Canton, Ohio on July 13, 1966, Gerald was the son of Martha Levert and Eddie Levert, Sr., co-founder and lead singer of the legendary R&B singing group, The O’Jays. Gerald was once quoted as saying, “I knew that singing and performing was what I wanted to do. My dad tried to talk me out of it, but it was no use, my mind was made up.” The fabric of his life was embodied in soul music, much due to his father’s career. He breathed music and that paved the way for his heart-wrenching, soul-stirring, on-your-feet performances which put him in a class reserved for very few. Off stage, all who knew him experienced first-hand Gerald’s infectious personality, love of laughter, fierce loyalty and dedication to family.
His passion for music was evidenced when Gerald first gained fame in 1986 as a member of the R&B trio LeVert, which also included his brother, Sean, and childhood friend Marc Gordon.
They quickly racked up hits like "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind," "Casanova," and "Baby I'm Ready." The four-time platinum selling group set the stage for Gerald to embark on a solo career. His first solo album, Private Line, was released in 1991. In 1995, he went on to record Father & Son with his father. Under the Atlantic Records label, his most recent album was 2005's "Voices."
With his powerful and soulful voice, Gerald’s two-decade music career resulted in millions of albums sold and had numerous R&B hits. As a songwriter/ producer, Gerald worked with Stephanie Mills, Lalah Hathaway, James Ingram, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, the late Barry White and the O’Jays.
Though Levert was successful as a solo singer, in 1997 he got into group mode again - joining with R&B singers Johnny Gill and Keith Sweat for the supergroup of LSG. Their self-titled album sold more than two million copies, and their hits included the sensual "My Body."
In My Songs captures the essence of Gerald’s infectious voice in an assortment of 13 captivating tracks and is a profound anthology of classic Gerald Levert. In the highly anticipated follow-up to 2004’s Do I Speak For the World, Gerald’s powerful voice resonates throughout In My Songs in tracks like the sensual and sexy “Hang In There,” the lively up-tempo “DJ Don’t” and ballad title track, “In My Songs.” Guaranteed to be a timeless masterpiece for lovers everywhere, In My Songs is sure to keep the memory of the beloved Casanova alive.
- Gerald Levert : In My Songs
Discography
Solo Albums
* 1991 Private Line (#1 R&B, #48 Pop)
* 1995 Groove On (#2 R&B, #18 Pop)
* 1995 Father & Son (#2 R&B, #20 Pop)
* 1998 Love & Consequences (#2 R&B, #17 Pop)
* 1999 G (#2 R&B, #8 Pop)
* 2001 Gerald's World (#2 R&B, #6 Pop)
* 2002 The G Spot (#2 R&B, #9 Pop)
* 2003 A Stroke of Genius (#1 R&B, #6 Pop)
* 2004 Do I Speak for the World (#7 R&B, #29 Pop)
* 2005 Voices (#27 R&B, #115 Pop)
* 2007 In My Songs (#1 R&B, #2 Pop)
Levert Albums
* 1985 I Get Hot
* 1986 Bloodline (#8 R&B, #192 Pop)
* 1987 The Big Throwdown (#3 R&B, #32 Pop)
* 1988 Just Coolin' (#6 R&B, #79 Pop)
* 1990 Rope A Dope Style (#9 R&B, #122 Pop)
* 1993 For Real Tho' (#5 R&B, #35 Pop)
* 1997 The Whole Scenario (#10 R&B, #49 Pop)
Photos
Bio
He was one of a handful of young hitmakers dedicated to continuing the time-honored tradition of real soul singing. An exceptionally gifted, multi-talented artist, producer and songwriter, Gerald Levert embodied the very essence of R&B, maintaining the authenticity and honesty associated with the timeless genre yet always staying both contemporary and current. Its undeniably true that the son of Eddie Levert (of the mighty OJays) was a standard-bearer for classic soul music, making it relevant to a whole generation of music buyers by simply keeping it real.
Thats as evident with IN MY SONGS, Geralds last studio album for Atlantic Records as it was when his distinctive vocal sound first captured the publics attention, initially in 1985 as lead singer with the group LeVert and then as a chart-topping solo artist in his own right with 1991s Private Line. This brilliant set of twelve tracks is a true testament to what made Gerald Levert such a distinctive, one-of-a kind artist who gave his heart and soul to his fans which resulted in over two decades of exceptional music-making.
While never anticipated as such, IN MY SONGS is Geralds fitting musical finale as a result of his passing (from heart failure) on November 10, 2006 at the age of forty. Written and produced entirely by Gerald and longtime musical associate Edwin Tony Nicholas, IN MY SONGS is as ever-soulful as the nine superb albums that preceded it (including the landmark Father & Son collaboration with his Dad, Eddie).
The outstanding future classic title cut showcases the trademark powerhouse vocal style that propelled Gerald Levert to the very top of his game, delivered with the kind of intensity and passion that captivated audiences worldwide both on record and on stage. With standout cuts like Tell Me What You Think with its mainstream popnsoul appeal, the infectious, instantly memorable DJ Dont, (an obvious old school tribute) and the dancengroove ready I Wanna Get Up With You, Gerald stays true to the role he carved for himself as a modern-day soul man. Ever the passionate balladeer, Gerald brings it all home with ultimate slow jams Fall Back, Hang In There, Sweeter and the unforgettable Deep As It Goes, another surefire bedroom-ready future classic.
IN MY SONGS is the much-awaited follow-up to Geralds critically acclaimed 2004 set DO I SPEAK FOR THE WORLD, a record he described as his (Marvin Gaye-inspired) What's Going On type of album. That album continued a journey that began back in 1985 when Cleveland, Ohio-born Gerald younger brother Sean and good friend Marc Gordon recorded I Get Hot for the independent Tempre label. The following year, a major deal with Atlantic Records provided the first step in a hit-filled path that resulted in what would be six Top 10 R&B albums, four of which would be certified gold (1987s The Big Throwdown, 1988s Just Coolin, 1990s Rope A Dope Style and 1993s For Real Tho) and make the group LeVert chart fixtures thanks to memorable singles such as (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind, the crossover smash Casanova, Addicted To You, Just Coolin and Baby Im Ready.
Inevitably, in 1991, Gerald stepped up, jumpstarting his solo career with the East West platinum-plus PRIVATE LINE album which provided the perfect launching pad and was followed by the gold-certified FATHER & SON set, bringing Gerald and his legendary father Eddie together for a stunning series of duets that included the No. 1 R&B hit single, Baby Hold On To Me. In 1994, the platinum GROOVE ON album spawned another major hit for Gerald with Id Give Anything; three years later, he teamed with fellow urban superstars Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill for the double-platinum LSG album (which included the hit single, My Body) and subsequent tour, also releasing a final LeVert album (The Whole Scenario) the same year.
Gerald concluded the 90s with another platinum album (LOVE & CONSEQUENCES) and his Elektra debut G, released in 1999; he released a trio of albums on Elektra (2001s GERALDS WORLD, the 2002 set THE G SPOT and 2003s A STROKE OF GENIUS) before the label was folded into Atlantic Records in 2004 for DO I SPEAK FOR THE WORLD? In 2005, Rhino Records released VOICES, a compilation that featured a number of duets that Gerald had recorded over the years with such artists as Yolanda Adams, Vanessa Williams, Miki Howard, Kelly Price and Teena Marie.
Over two decades, Geralds talents as a producer and songwriter resulted in dozens of notable credits including work with Patti Labelle, The Winans, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, Miki Howard, Anita Baker, Lalah Hathaway, James Ingram, the late Barry White, Keith Washington, Christopher Williams, Silk, Regina Belle, Freddie Jackson, Joe, Tamia, New Edition, The Temptations and of course, The OJays as well as helping to launch the careers of R&B hit groups Troop, The Rude Boys and Men at Lar
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