Remembering Rhythm & Blues: November 2006

Keep On Moving With Soul II Soul

Steady are you ready?
What's going on?
Steady are you ready?
What's going on?
Cold fresh air
Feel the melody
That's in the air
I'm down to take a look around
What's going down?

Oh yeah, some things have really been going down lately. I'm slowly coming out of the dark to take a look around at the beautiful light of life. If there's one thing I've learned these past couple of days, it's that life is PRECIOUS! That's why Back To Life with Soul II Soul, one of my favorite groups from the 90s, is next up on the R&B Express. It trips me out when I hear this song now because I often think about this scene from Belly. I know that's definitely due to the fact thatHype (Williams) knew exactly what he was doing when he used this song. Here's some background:

Soul II Soul is a 2-time Grammy winning act that emerged at the end of the 80s from London. The group initially attracted attention as a sound system, playing records at house and street parties (where their clothing style - dubbed "Funki Dred" - quickly made a splash, inspiring them to start a line of clothing). Founded by Jazzie B and featuring a changing roster of other musicians - notably Nellee Hooper and Caron Wheeler - Soul II Soul's experiments in music-making of their own resulted in the dub plate "Fairplay," which secured them a deal with Virgin Records. They had huge hits in 1989 with the singles "Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)," both from their debut album Club Classics Vol. I. These songs (both featuring Wheeler on vocals) set the tone for early 90s mainstream dance music in the UK.

Their follow-up album, Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade, yielded the hits "Get A Life" and "A Dream's A Dream," the latter featuring operatic vocals by Victoria Wilson-James. While their U.S. following declined somewhat following its release, Soul II Soul continued to have hits in the UK, including 1992's top 10 single, "Joy."

Soul II Soul reached Volume 5 of their series for Virgin in 1995, then released 2 more albums for Island Records.

In October 2004 Keep On Movin appeared in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on R&B, Soul radio station CSR 103.9.

Keep On Movin' is another song that has helped to get me through. In fact, I thought long and hard about what group, song, artist, I could come back with after doing so many posts about the death of Gerald. Back To Life was one and Keep On Movin was the other. My soul won't allow me to be sad forever and these two joints definitely help to ease the pain.

Keep On Moving

Back To Life

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe now for updates by email or RSS.

soul II soul 90s R&B

Don't have Rhapsody...click here to get a free 14-day trial

posted by Soulfull @ 11/20/2006 , , , links to this post

GERALD LEVERT SERVICE, WATCH LIVE VIDEO HERE

Click here!

Please be patient as their site is experiencing server issues...

Courtesy of WKYC TV...

UPDATE: It looks as though live coverage has been cancelled but you can see video from inside the Memorial Service here which includes talks from Judge Mathis and Levert's children, Lemicah, Carlysia and Camryn.

posted by Soulfull @ 11/17/2006 , , , links to this post

Usher Remembers Gerald Levert

The Headline Reads: Video of Usher Speaking of Gerald Levert

Also check out the Tom Joyner Show tribute here which is just BEAUTIFUL!

Please note: I will try to keep this site updated throughout the day with links from all over the internet with regards to the Levert Memorial Service.

posted by Soulfull @ 11/17/2006 , , , links to this post

UPDATE: Gerald Levert Memorial Moved To Larger Facility

The Headline Reads: Levert Memorial Moved To Larger Facility (WEWS)

Here's the news:

CLEVELAND -- The memorial for Gerald Levert has been moved from the Music Hall to the Public Hall, so that more fans can attend.

The memorial is set for noon. The doors will open at 11 a.m.

Fans are asked to use the Lakeside Avenue entrance.

The memorial is called "A Celebration of Life." Seating will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis. Fans have been told to wear purple.

Several celebrities have already arrived in Cleveland for the event. They include Bobby Brown, Mo'Nique, Mikki Howard, Cuba Gooding Sr., Kym Whitley, Bruce Bruce, Johnny Gill and Keith Sweat.

Gill and Sweat were members of LSG, a trio formed between Levert, Sweat and Gill.

Other celebrities expected to pay tribute are Angela Winbush, Usher, Brian McKnight, Jermaine Dupri, Ed Gordon, Stephanie Mills, Steve Harvey and Judge Greg Mathis.

You can see the memorial program for the service in Cleveland here or DOWNLOAD a copy here.

Video of the fans lining up here and images are here

Gerald's mom, Mrs. Martha Levert and sister, Kandace Brooks speak to Romona Robinson of WKYC 3 here

More video here of Gerald's uncle and grandmother talking about the G-Bear

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe now for updates by email or RSS.

gerald levert funeral gerald levert

posted by Soulfull @ 11/17/2006 , , , links to this post

Cleveland May Name Downtown Street ‘Gerald Levert Lane’

The Headline Reads: BAW: Cleveland May Name Downtown Street ‘Gerald Levert Lane’ as City Remembers Fallen Star

UPDATE: THE CITY HAS AGREED TO THE REQUEST OF STREET NAME (Read story here)

Here's the news:

Thousands of fans are expected to say goodbye to R&B singer Gerald Levert today in Cleveland, in a star-studded memorial service and musical tribute open to the public. The send-off for the soul man with a big heart is being called “Celebration of Life,” and is expected to feature musical performances by friends and famous colleagues as well as a duet by Levert’s younger brother Sean and their father, Eddie Levert, a co-founder and lead singer of the legendary O’Jays.

In the city that is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Levert family has been called royalty. Two Cleveland councilmen are asking the city to rename a downtown block Gerald Levert Lane, according to the Plain Dealer. The council members will introduce a resolution Monday to designate East 25th Street near the Radio One stations -- where the singer had so many fans and where this week stars have visited Radio One's WZAK FM/93.1 to pay homage to the well-loved soul man, the paper said.

Video of this story is available here

You can see the memorial program for the service in Cleveland here or DOWNLOAD a copy here.

posted by Soulfull @ 11/17/2006 , , ,

Stevie Wonder, Others Honor Levert at Service

The Headline Reads: Many Singers Will Honor Gerald Levert on Friday

Here's the news:

Wednesday, November 15, 2006
John Soeder
Plain Dealer Pop Music Critic

Stevie Wonder will take part in the public memorial service for R&B crooner Gerald Levert at noon Friday at Music Hall in Cleveland.

Levert's younger brother Sean and their father, Eddie Levert of the O'Jays, also will sing a duet.

Singers Angela Winbush, Angie Stone and Johnny Gill (a member of the group LSG, along with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat) are set to pay tribute, too. Other VIP guests are expected to be announced.
Doors will open at 11 a.m. Friday. Seating will be first come, first served in the 2,800-capacity Music Hall. The public is asked to use the St. Clair Avenue entrance. Fans are encouraged to wear purple, Levert's favorite color.

The service is expected to last between 60 and 90 minutes, and will be broadcast live on WZAK FM/93.1.

Levert died Friday at age 40. Preliminary autopsy results indicated he had mild to moderate heart disease.

Levert found success both as a solo artist and as a member of the groups LeVert and LSG. He was born in Canton, raised in Shaker Heights and resided in Newbury Township.

Levert will be cremated. His family will attend a private funeral, as well as Friday's tribute.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Checks (payable to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation) and condolences may be sent to Andy Gibson, Trevel Productions Inc., 13816 Cedar Road, University Heights, OH 44118.

*****UPDATE 11/16/06*****
You can see the actual memorial program for the service tomorrow in Cleveland here.

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe now for updates by email or RSS.

levert funeral

posted by Soulfull @ 11/16/2006 , , , links to this post

Remembering Gerald Levert

Today is a very sad day in music. Today I learned that Gerald Levert died from a heart attack in his sleep. This can't be happening! He's only 40 years old! I didn't know Gerald personally, but from my husband, I learned just how beautiful he would make our relationship... When we were first dating, my husband and I would always play love songs to eachother over the phone. On one particular occasion, D played Can't Help Myself from his Groove On album. Man, the way Gerald turned his soul inside out and placed it into that track was just amazing. He really made me feel the longing that you feel when you're hopelessly in love. I've always liked Gerald from his days with Levert, but I found a new appreciation for his voice on his solo albums and my hubby made sure that he found only the sweetest songs to play for me. Songs like...

I'd Give Anything
Let The Juices Flow
Baby U Are
Made To Love Ya
U Got That Love (Call It A Night)
BUT...
There is one song that will FOREVER be a theme song for our relationship and that song is
Nothin' To Somethin'.

Gosh, my eyes bleed the pain of my soul as I think of the beauty that he brought to music. I feel so drained by this loss, yet I know that this man of faith is at peace among the other greats in heaven or like his song from the album, Do I Speak For The World, not only was he Greater Later, but he's even GREATER today...

Gerald Levert
July 13, 1966 - November 10, 2006
Rest in Peace

****UPDATE 11/12/06*****
I'm not sure if this has been established by the family, but there is a guestbook online at legacy.com for condolences for Mr. Gerald Levert.

*****UPDATE 11/16/06*****
You can see the actual memorial program for the service tomorrow in Cleveland here.

Baby, I'm Ready

Thinking About It

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe now for updates by email or RSS.

Gerald Levert male R&B singers

Don't have Rhapsody...click here to get a free 14-day trial

posted by Soulfull @ 11/10/2006 , , , links to this post

Step Into The Sideshow With Blue Magic

How is everyone doing out there? Me, I'm not doing so well. As of lately I've really been trying to finish this book, but unfortunately I'm being stalked. Yes, stalked. Seriously, I haven't been able to really focus on my day to day stuff because I can't seem to get Blue Magic's Sideshow out of my head! Yes, indeed, I am being Haunted by my love for this group, but here's some background on this talented quintet:

Blue Magic is an American R&B soul vocal quintet which was formed in Philadelphia in June 1973 when former Delfonic Randy Cain brought singer-songwriter Ted Mills in to do some writing with the Philly-based WMOT production company and a short time later, the group Shades of Blue, featuring Keith Beaton, Richard Pratt, Vernon Sawyer and his brother Wendell, came in for an audition. According to Marc Taylor, in his book A Touch of Classic Soul of the Early 1970's, although the group performed admirably, they lacked a standout lead singer and WMOT execs decided to put mills with the Shades of Love and renamed the group Blue Magic. They were signed with Atco/Atlantic Records in the same year. Blue Magic were one of the earliest acts produced by Norman Harris, a Philadelphia records veteran. The group's harmonies were supported by the MFSB house band (I LOVE MFSB!).

Man, Blue Magic must have put a Spell on my mind!

Sideshow

Just Don't Want To Be Lonely

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe now for updates by email or RSS.

Blue Magic 70s soul

Don't have Rhapsody...click here to get a free 14-day trial

posted by Soulfull @ 11/08/2006 , , , links to this post

Taking A Step Back With The Jets

I'm think I'm losing it. Let me ask you a question -- you ever reach that point in a relationship where you feel the fight coming and you just don't do anything to stop it? Well, I'm itching to get into it with a certain man that I live with, but instead of verbal jabs tonight, I think I'm going to try... THE SILENT TREATMENT. And I was all ready to lay it on THICK, until I heard, You Got It All, by The Jets:

The Jets are a family group from Minneapolis, Minnesota who specialize in pop, R&B and dance music.

The original band consisted of the 8 oldest children of Maikeli "Mike" and Vaké Wolfgramm: Eddie, Elizabeth, Eugene, Haini, Kathi (b. 16 September 1969, Minneapolis), Leroy, Moana and Rudy. Mike and Vaké, who have 17 children total, are originally from the South Pacific island kingdom of Tonga. Contrary to popular belief, they are not Hispanic or African-American.

'The Jets' under this original lineup had a number of Hot 100 hits, including 5 that hit the Top 10: "Crush On You", "You Got It All", "Cross My Broken Heart", "Rocket 2 U", and "Make It Real," and "Sendin' All My Love," which only went to #88 on the Hot 100, hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. "You Got It All" and "Make It Real," both ballads featuring lead vocals by 'Elizabeth Wolfgramm,' were both #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Damn, You Got It All, is such a beautiful love song and as I sit down here in the dining room trying to maintain my anger, I feel it slowly dying as I watch this video...

You Got It All

The Jets relationships

Don't have Rhapsody...click here to get a free 14-day trial

posted by Soulfull @ 11/03/2006 , , , links to this post

Let's Get Right Down To It With Damian Dame

Yesterday, while sitting at my desk, I had the strangest thing happen to me. I was listening to The Stylistics and reconciling an account, when out of the blue, this tune came to mind: When it gets right down to it, I wanna be with you and baby you should know it by now... Where in the world did that come from ,but aww man, was this THE SONG back in the day, but WHO sings it? All I could remember was the fact that Babyface wrote it and the artist was signed to LaFace. I put my work on pause and search frantically throughout the internet and Rhapsody, but I had no luck. I called my friends and my sisters (who both proceeded to sing the song with me (LOL!) but couldn't remember the group name either), but still no luck! Yet, it wasn't until I looked on wikipedia.org today did I find that the group behind this mystery song was none other than Damian Dame! Yesssss, that's it!!! Here's some background on this talented group:

Damian Dame was an R&B duo consisting of Debra Jean "Deah Dame" Hurd (September 20, 1958-June 27, 1994) and Bruce Edward "Damian" Broadus (September 13, 1966-June 27, 1996).

In 1991, Damian Dame became the first act signed to LaFace Records. The duo's self-titled debut spun off two radio hits, "Exclusivity" and "Right Down To It."

Right before Damian Dame began working on their sophomore album, tragedy struck. Deah was killed in an automobile accident in June of 1994. She was just 35 years old. Damian succumbed to colon cancer in June of 1996, at the age of 29. Ironically, his death came two years to the day of his groupmate's passing.

What a tragedy indeed, yet the world is blessed to still be able to share in their music and thanks to wikipedia, my mind can now rest easy while my ears enjoy the rhythmic tunes from Damian Dame!

Right Down To It