Gerald Levert Stroke Of Genius CD

Gerald Levert was born to sing smooth, seductive R&B. Surrounded by a rich musical family, Gerald was influenced by his father Eddie, a member of the hit-making O'Jays, and formed the vocal group Levert with his brother Sean. In 1987, Levert scored the crossover smash "Casanova," along with a number of subsequent R&B hits. Embarking on a solo career at the beginning of the '90s, Gerald has been pumping out steady, sensual soul since then, and 2003's A STROKE OF GENIUS is just another satisfying step.

Levert begins A STROKE OF GENIUS fittingly enough by zooming to his love ("thinkin' about it got me doin' 90/I'm breakin' the law to get a lady"). In fact, most of the album is immersed in the act of loving, exploring the before, the during, and the after. Levert's best tunes concern the thankful glow of the morning after on the back-to-back tracks "Good Morning," which has the flavor of Vince Guaraldi's PEANUTS work while discussing some very un-cartoonish subjects, and "Keep It Warm," a response song to Khia's lustful "My Neck, My Back." While the son of an O'Jay, Gerald Levert carries the musical legacy of Barry White, and with that icon's unfortunate loss, Levert may be the new master of the R&B bedroom.

2003 album from the sexual and confident Gerald Levert. Includes '(They Long To Be) Close To You' feat. Tamia. Elektra.

Gregg Swan, Joey Woolfalk (guitar); Regis Iandiorio (violin); Randy Spotts (programming); Sereena Wynn, Damon Parker (background vocals).

Producers: Gerald Levert, Edwin "Tony" Nicholas, Jasper Cameron.

Personnel: Gerald LeVert (vocals, percussion, drum programming, background vocals); Eddie LeVert, Sean LeVert, Tamia (vocals); Lavontz (rap vocals); Edwin Nicholas (guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, drum programming); Versai Sain, Gregg Swann, Joey Woolfalk (guitar); Karen Karlsrud, Tim Baker , Yong Tae Kim, Deborah Wong, Alicia Edelberg, Karen Rostron, Andy Schaw, Jim Burnham, Peter Krysa, Sandy Strenger, Ashley Horne, Regis Iandiorio, Paul Woodiel, Conway Kuo, Belinda Whitney (violin); Sue Pray, Crystal Garner, Louis Martin, Richard Clark (viola); Eugene J. Moye, Bruce Wang (cello); Jasper Cameron (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Randy Spotts (drum programming); Damon "DJ" Parker, Sherena Wynn (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Pete Tokar; Carlton Lynn.

Recording information: Back Pocket Studios, NY, NY; Darp Studios, Atlanta, GA; Ear Paint Studio, Bratenahl, OH; G Spot Studio, South Russell, OH; The Hit Factory, NY, NY.

Photographer: Christian Lantry.

Arranger: Dunn Pearson, Jr.

Personnel includes: Gerald Levert (vocals); Tamia, Eddie & Sean Levert (vocals); Edwin "Tony" Nicholas (guitar, keyboards, programming, sequencing);

Rolling Stone (11/13/03, p.94) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...[Levert] sings with calm and precision....His delivery is so slick and honest that it reads as supreme confidence, the gift of a man emboldened by the depth of his passion..."