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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gerald Levert hits "the spot"!, October 16, 2002
On his sixth solo installment, Elektra Records' resident teddy bear, Gerald Levert welcomes loyal fans, and do drop in listeners to "The G. Spot." And it would behoove all of them to take this veteran up on his invitation. Sometimes it's a little difficult to determine just what direction Levert wants to take his sound. But it's clear that no matter where he goes, the sound is definitely his very own. Levert does a lot of live recording in Philadelphia (not his home base Cleveland) on this effort, and teams up with his longtime partner Tony Nicholas, as well as his guitarist Randy Bowland and producer, Flemuel Brown III, for some great writing and producing. Additional personnel is lighter than usual too -- just a few of Gerald's musicians and Tommy "Zero" Johnson, as his only noteable back-up singer. On `the spot', there is a whole lot of lovin', any kind of way you lick it, I mean, like it. Levert blends "hip hop" [he does "Too Much Room" with rapper Mystikal]; a few middle of the road tracks like "Oh What a Night" with Roy Ayers, and those classic baby-making grooves, like the title track, "The G. Spot". [The latter will single-handedly increased the infant population by next summer.] Less reminiscent of Levert's gutsy vocals and preachy lyrics is his current single "Funny". It's a catchy little tune that is cute and sweet, but short on real substance. However, for a change, it's a Levert tune receiving regular airplay. Perhaps he wanted to capture that "Sound of Philadelphia" that made his father's group The O'Jays famous, or perhaps Levert is just too old school for his own good. [Thank God] To prove he's a by-product of an era less traveled; Levert gets his groove on with the tracks "Since You Ain't Around" and "Your Smile". And since he never misses an opportunity to drop some relationship knowledge, he "schools" us on "Closure", and "Catchin' Feelings", oh, oh, oh (move over Lenny Williams.) Besides raw talent in his bloodline, a key ingredient to Levert's continued success is his ability to relate to the common man, and his ability to admit when he's [messed] up. But more importantly, Levert always gives props to the strong woman who stands by the common man when he has [messed] up. On the bluesy tune "Backbone", Levert speaks for the "down-on-his-luck brother whose woman loves him in spite of. "He says "my little boy's birthday is coming, and he wants a Play Station II, the rent is due, what am I gonna do? Yeah right, like Levert is a brother who has been in that situation. Nonetheless on some level he can relate, therefore he takes a quarter and calls his woman pleading the infectious hook, "If tonight I'm cryin'. I need you to be strong. Will you be my shoulder? Girl you are my backbone, my backbone". Now that's the Levert we know and no one hits "The G. Spot" [no matter where it is] quite like him.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The "G" man is at it again...., October 30, 2002
Gerald Levert has been around for awhile ladies and gentlemen. However, every time he comes out with a CD that he is featured on, whether it is Levert, a solo CD, a CD with his father or the LSG CD, you know that the disc will be of high quality. On his 6th solo CD, (Private Line, Groove On, Love & Consequences, G, and Gerald's World were the others), Gerald sticks to his old school formula of "Gerald's World". In my opinion, "Private Line", "Groove On" and "G", were primarily r&b CDs and on "Love And Consequences" it seemed as if Gerald Levert was trying to attract a younger audience. On "The G Spot", with the exception of "Too Much Room" with Mystikal, it seems as if he just went back to a classic r&b style and an old school theme. His first single, "Funny", is a tight midtempo song for the "G" man. The concept works as Gerald is talking about a woman that he hasn't heard from in awhile and he reminisces to the times that they shared together and talks about the timing of the woman calling him at this present time. "The G Spot" is full of midtempo and slow songs. The majority of the production is handled by Gerald Levert and Randall Bowland, with long time Gerald Levert producer, Edwin Nicholas, assisting on "Wilding Me Out". Gerald Levert always releases quality prouct and his core audience will not be disappointed. Gerald is at his best when he sticks to r&b or old school r&b. On "Closure", Gerald talks about a realtionship that was over but it didn't end the way that he wanted it to. This slow jam is one of the best on the CD. "Top Of My Head" is a sexualy undertoned midtempo song that is a prelude to the sensual and sexy title track. Don't play this track to loud in the office though. Your co-workers will be giving you this strange look. "Your Smile" and "All That Matters" are both old school variations of songs in the past and you will be impressed by both of those songs as well. Other songs worth checking out are the nice uptempo jam, "Since You Ain't Around", the midtempo jam "Wilding Me Out" where Gerald talks about how a woman with good lovin' that has his mind going crazy, the uptempo "Raindrops" and the best song on the CD in my opinion, "Oh What A Night" featuring Roy Ayres. This midtempo song is reminscent of something George Benson or The O' Jays would do. If you are a fan of Gerald Levert then you should defintely add "The G Spot" to your collection. Believe me, you will not be disappointed.James' Top 5 1) Oh What A Night w/Roy Ayers 2) Closure 3) Since You Ain't Around 4) Wilding Me Out 5) "Tie" Funny & Raindrops
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Missing You.....Gerald, November 10, 2006
I've had this cd for sometime now and it's smooth from beginning to end. Upon hearing the news of his death, at the age of 40 I felt the need to reflect. R.I.P. Gerald
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