Gerald Levert: When It’s Right – The Anthology (1991-2007), 3CD

• First-of-its-kind 3CD anthology drawn from the nine solo albums recorded between 1991-2006 by award-winning multi-hyphenate singer, songwriter, producer and perfomer, the late Gerald Levert. As the son of the legendary Eddie Levert, the founder/lead singer of The O’Jays, Gerald blended the time-honoured traditions of 60s and 70s classic soul music with 80s and 90s lyrical themes and contemporary grooves to create a distinctive sound that appealed to global audiences for over a decade until his untimely passing in November 2006 at the age of 40.

• Featuring 45 tracks including 20 US charted tracks including ‘Private Line’, Gerald’s No. 1 R&B hit and title cut of his million-selling 1991 solo debut set; ‘Baby Hold On To Me’, which featured his famed father, Eddie Levert of The O’Jays; 1994’s ‘I’d Give Anything’; and Gerald’s back-to-back 1998 pop/R&B hits ‘Thinkin’ About It’ and ‘Taking Everything’.

• Rarities include ‘When It’s Right’, only available previously as a bonus track on the Japanese version of Gerald’s sophomore 1994 set, ‘Groove On’; a cover of the Rick James/Teena Marie classic duet, ‘Fire And Desire’, recorded with Sherena Wynn, released on a 1995 cassette single along with remix edits of ‘Can You Handle It’ and ‘I Wanna Be Bad’, all three tracks appearing on CD for the first time.

Created with expert project assistance and first class mastering by Donald Cleveland and stellar artwork by Roger Williams, this excellent overview of Gerald Levert’s legacy (executive-produced by SoulMusic Records’ founder David Nathan) features an in-depth, heartfelt essay by distinguished US writer Janine Coveney (who interviewed Gerald a number of times over the years) reflecting his contribution as a bridge between classic R&B and contemporary soul music and also includes a personal tribute from Dyana Williams, the renowned US broadcaster and media coach and quotes from respected US writer A. Scott Galloway.

‘When It’s Right’ traces Gerald’s successful solo recording career, taking a deep dive into the three albums cut for EastWest America (1991-1998), four for Elektra (1999-2003) and two for Atlantic (2004-2007) and showcasing his multi-talented skills as a songwriter and producer, primarily working with musical partner Edwin ‘Tony’ Nicholas.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE

SCHOOL ME

1. Private Line
2. School Me
3. Baby Hold On To Me (with Eddie Levert)
4. Groove On
5. I'd Give Anything
6. Answering Service
7. Same Place,Same Time
8. Love Street
9. When It's Right
10. Thinkin' Bout It
11. That's The Way I Feel About You (with Mary J Blige)
12. Taking Everything
13. Nothin' To Somethin'
14. Mr. Too Damn Good

DISC TWO

1. Baby U Are
2. Spill A Little Love
3. Let Me Know
4. What Makes It Good To You (No Premature Lovin')
5. Made To Love Ya
6. Dream With No Love
7. Funny
8. Closure
9. Stroke Of Genius
10. (They Long To Be) Close To You (with Tamia)
11. U Got That Love (Call It A Night)
12. Wear It Out
13. Didn't We
14. Eyes And Ears (with Sean Levert & Eddie Levert)
15. Crucify Me
16. Everyday

DISC THREE

1. One Million Times
2. Click A Glass
3. In My Songs
4. DJ Don't
5. Deep As It Goes
6. Can It Stay
7. Private Line (Radio Club Remix)
8. Can You Handle It (Remix Edit)*
9. I Wanna Be Bad (Remix Edit)*
10. School Me (Full Live Version)
11. Can't Help Myself (Radio Remix)
12. Answering Service (Heavy D Remix)
13. Fire And Desire (ft. Sherena Wynn)*
14. Taking Everything (Soap Opera Remix Extended)
15. DJ Don't (Remix ft Jaheim)