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Gerald Levert
Voices
Atlantic/Rhino
Gerald Levert has one of the most recognizable voices in R&B. Also, give the brother credit for re-inventing himself from
being a member of a group (Levert) to becoming a solo artist, altogether counting 20 years of success. His continued appeal
is proof positive that the labels tend to be off track when they don't want to work with cats with his kind of longevity.
Let's talk about his latest CD, "Voices." It's basically a collection of past duets, but opening with a re-uniting
of Gerald with brother Sean and Marc Gordon (the group Levert) on a nice track called "I Like It." There are a lot
of great cuts on this 13-song set that includes "All the Times," which is actually LSG (Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat
Johnny Gill) kickin' it with Faith, Missy Elliott and Coko (formerly of SWV). Levert really shines on duets... another cool
cut is "It Hurts Too Much To Stay" with Kelly Price. Of course a Gerald Levert CD wouldn't be complete without a
duet with his pops, Eddie Levert. The track they pair on is the classic "Winds Beneath My Wings" ... does anyone
do it better? The CD also takes you back with the duet with Rude Boys - 1990 y'all - "Written All Over Your Face. Other
notable tracks include "That's What Love Is" with Miki Howard and the latest hit, "A Rose By Any Other Name"
with Teena Marie. Two new tracks include "Last Time I Saw You" with Vanessa Williams and "Storm Has Passed"
with newcomer Sherena Wynn. Golden to the ears is the sparkling duet with Yolanda Adams, "I Believe I Can Fly."
Rounding out the CD is the LSG hit "My Side of the Bed" and a duet with Men At Large, "So Alone."
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Ray J
Radiation
Sanctuary Urban
Ray J is of course Brandy's lil' brother. He's been trying to break into the music biz for awhile now, but has never had a
record reach the level his sibling has, until now. Finally, Ray J has a hit ... "One Wish" made a lot of folks sit
up and take notice. Hmmmm... that dazzling, dashing video sure helped! Nonetheless, he is here and has the potential to stay
around. His CD, "Radiation," features his sis Brandy, as well as Mya, Fat Joe and R.Kelly/Shorty Mack with the song
from the "Roll Bounce" soundtrack. The Fat Joe track, "Keep Sweatin'," has the potential to make the club
scene with its bodacious beat and Fat Joe's kick, but Ray J's vocals just don't work that well... and the lyrics&... "Sweat
drippin' down her face took me to another place" ... I mean, ugh! Honestly, he does better on the softer and/or ballad
tracks, such as "What I Need," "Let's Play House," "Melody," the sweet "Anytime" and
of course, "One Wish." I like "Exotic," but not because it's "exotic." It's just different and
has a cruisin' vibe to it, and he really stretches his vocals to their limit on it. Gotta throw this is in... Rodney "Dark
Child" Jerkins produced a lot of the tracks on this CD. I heard that he enhanced Ray J's voice, but I don't hear it.
What I do hear is that Ray J is sincere and really tries to put his heart into the tracks and overall vibe of each song. And
again, he does shine on the slow jams way more than the uptempos. This CD could have some longevity and take Ray J to another
level.
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Roll Bounce
Soundtrack
Santuary Urban
This is a really cool "throwback" CD. The once-hot dance track "Boogie Oogie Oogie" has a new hip-hop
twist with Brooke Valentine, Fabolous and Yo Yo in the mix. The '80s vibe is clear on "Bounce, Rock, Shake, Roll"
by Vaughn Mason and Crew. It's ironic that rap star Bow Wow is the star of a film that features music from an era that was
prevalent before he was even born! Old skoolers on the CD include Earth, Wind & Fire on "Pure Gold," Johnny
"Guitar" Watson on "Superman Lover," "La Freak" with Chic and Kool & the Gang on the funky
classic "Hollywood Swingin'," featuring the eclectic Jamiroquai. Adding new meaning to classics are Beyoncé on her
wispy version of "Wishing On A Star" and her Destiny's Child pal Michelle Williams taking on Al Green's "Let's
Stay Together." Keith Sweat drops in with a nice, nice upbeat ballad (is that an oxymoron?), "I Wanna Know Your
Name," and Bill Withers adds his brand of soul to "Lovely Day." The CD offers a lot of dated tracks, but several
of them have new life that will entice the young set. Some urban and CHR listeners might not remember the song, but they will
hit the phones to hear "Wishing On A Star" ... Beyoncé does a nice job recreating the melancholy mood of this classic.
Anything R Kelly touches attracts attention, and that scenario will continue with his contribution to "Quit Actin'"
with Ray J and Shorty Mack. For those PDs old enough to be the daddy (and maybe grand daddy!) of most of their listeners,
this CD gives then an outlet to play their old favorites and please their young listeners, too!
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