Levert

“The Whole Scenario” Gerald Levert * Sean Levert * Marc Gordon

The Whole Scenario… or the rest of the story. Levert are ready with twelve reasons (and a remix) why they’re about more than reputation – more than the sum of their four gold albums and five #1 hit singles. “People seem to look to us for your classic R&B ballad, but that’s just part of what we do,” says group member Marc Gordon. “Levert strives to contribute to music as a whole – not just one aspect of it.”

With “THE WHOLE SCENARIO,” the group’s sixth Atlantic release, the groundbreaking Cleveland-based trio have expanded on their renowned sound with a uniquely versatile combination of contemporary styles: pop, hip hop, and R&B with a bit of old school soul. On such songs as the tender “I’ll Get It Done” and enticing “Do It Right Here,” Gordon and brothers Gerald and Sean Levert powerfully stir the motion and emotions of a candlelight dinner and true romance.

In between, such bold tracks as “Tru Dat” find the trio reaching into new territory with the an inspired male/female, rap/vocal interplay – achieved with the help of hip hop’s Yo Yo and Queen Pen. And just try to get around the song’s uh, memorable chorus: “I need a lady on the town/a freak in the sack/a woman in the house/we like it like that/say tru dat.” The explorations and collaborations continue with the booming Mad Lion on “You Keep Me Comin’” and rapper/co-writer Missy Elliott (writer: Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Gina Thompson) on “Keys To My House.”

Produced by Gerald, Marc, and Edwin “Tony” Nicholas, “THE WHOLE SCENARIO” stands as Levert’s seamless realization of a musical vision and their unsentimental parting with preconception. “A lot of times these days, people get caught up on chasing one sound and spend all their time trying to copy the latest hit album,” says Marc, who now makes his home in Los Angeles. “As a group that has been around, we have a lot more than that to offer. With ‘… WHOLE SCENARIO,’ we’re doing some things we haven’t tried in quite this way before.”

Gerald and Sean Levert grew up vocalizing together in Cleveland, Ohio under the inspiration of their father Eddie Levert Sr. – lead singer with the legendary O’Jays. “I always sang, beginning when I was real little,” says Gerald, the group’s chief lyricist. “I never sang in church, but began by mimicking my father.” Eddie encouraged his sons, letting them help out on tours and buying them recording equipment. By the time Gerald was 12, he and his father would often spend long hours singing in the basement of the family’s Shaker Heights home.

While in their mid-teens, Sean and Gerald began to make music with their friend Marc Gordon, another musically inspired young man. “Our mother’s a Jehovah’s Witness, and she went to the same Kingdom Hall as Marc’s mother,” explains Gerald. “After church, we’d go home and write songs; he was over all the time. Finally, Marc moved into the house and just stayed there.”

Gerald and Marc developed their interest in production by experimenting at home with various two and eight-track recorders. At the same time, the three of them began to refine their repertoire and perform at clubs in and around Cleveland. Things were happening quickly and the trio was eager to bring their talents to a wider audience.

In 1985, Levert released their debut album, “I’M STILL,” on Harry Coombs newly launched independent label. The group scored regional success in the D.C./Baltimore area and reached #60 on the Billboard R&B chart. It was a true achievement for such a little known group, even one mentored by a legacy the likes of Eddie.

The group’s rise carried on with the recording of their 1986 debut Atlantic release, “BLOODLINE.” The album yielded two R&B hits, including the #1 smash “(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind,” and established the trio with chart-topping prominence. Levert’s RIAA gold second album, 1987’s “THE BIG THROWDOWN,” spun off three hit singles, including the RIAA gold #1 R&B/top 5 pop sensation, “Casanova.” The track, also heard on The Pick-Up Artist and Jumpin’ Jack Flash soundtrack albums, earned the group a Grammy Award nomination and brought added clout to the LeVert name. With their contribution of “Addicted To You” to 1988’s Coming To America soundtrack, Levert saw their third single go to #1 on the R&B chart.

That same year, Gerald and Marc teamed up under the songwriting/ production banner of Trevel Productions. Their contributions to Miki Howard’s “LOVE CONFESSIONS” and to Troop’s self-titled debut album also became chart-toppers: Miki’s duet with Gerald, “That’s What Love Is” (produced by Gerald and Marc and written by Miki, Gerald, and Marc), became a top 5 R&B hit; and Troop’s “Mamacita” (penned by Gerald and Marc and produced by the duo with Eddie), hit #1 on the R&B charts.

The group’s 1988 album, “JUST COOLIN,’” was the first Levert album to be produced entirely under the Trevel banner. In the process of earning RIAA gold, the album yielded the group’s fourth #1 R&B hit with its title track single, which was highlighted by guest artist Heavy D – making Levert one of the first groups to successfully merge R&B with hip hop.

It was during that time that the Trevel team worked with fellow Ohio artists the Rude Boys on their “RUDE AWAKENING” album and with the O’ Jays on their “SERIOUS” comeback album and #1 R&B hit single, “Have You Had Your Love Today?”

Levert again scored RIAA gold with their 1990 album, “ROPE A DOPE STYLE,” which was highlighted by the #1 R&B success of the “Baby I’m Ready” single. The trio followed suit in 1993 with the RIAA gold “FOR REAL THO’” and its “Good Ol’ Days” hit track. Soon afterwards, Sean began work on his Atlantic debut solo set, “THE OTHER SIDE” – an album that found the group’s youngest member stepping out in a style of his own while earning the respect of fans and critics alike.

In addition to his accomplishments with Levert, brother Gerald has further distinguished himself as one of today’s top studio and songwriting talents – contributing to hit projects by artists including Anita Baker, Barry White, Keith Sweat (on whose most recent album Gerald is featured), Chuckii Booker, and New Edition, with their much celebrated reunion album.

As a solo artist, Gerald achieved immediate success with his 1991 “PRIVATE LINE” debut, which gave rise to the hit singles “School Me,” “Can You Handle It,” and “Baby Hold On To Me” – a touching duet with his father. The collaboration inspired the gifted pair to record 1995’s much-celebrated gold smash, “FATHER & SON.” Released that same year, the platinum-selling success of Gerald’s “GROOVE ON” solo album clearly demonstrated the remarkable depth of the artist’s popularity. Gerald’s credits also extend to his work with the likes of Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, Subway, and Teddy Pendergrass. In 1993, his song “Voodoo” earned Pendergrass a performance Grammy nomination.

Along with his numerous awards, Gerald was honored with an Image Award by the NAACP for his Essence Awards father/son duet with Eddie on “Wind Beneath My Wings” – heard on “FATHER & SON.” (The song was also an audience favorite during the special ’95-’96 tour featuring the triple-threat bill of Eddie & Gerald/O’ Jays/Levert.) Last year, Gerald was presented with a BMI Pop Awards Citation for Achievement for his song “Practice What You Preach,” recorded by Barry White – the same track garnered Gerald a songwriters Grammy nomination.

A some-time actor, Gerald has been seen on TV’s New York Undercover and in the 1991 feature film New Jack City, alongside stars Wesley Snipes and Mario Van Peebles.

Gerald’s on-screen charisma is most recently seen in LeVert’s new “Tru Dat” video, where a trio of self-proclaimed he-men and their poker buddies try to prove who’s the world’s most dedicated bachelor playboy – even though anyone who knows “THE WHOLE SCENARIO” can tell they’re die-hard romantics. Tru dat.