They were essentially a wrap-up of show reviews, the latest news on happenings in NYC and LA and other spots and I loved writing them! Every one ended with my initials, ‘DN’ as did hundreds and hundreds of articles and features I wrote for B&S and it has remained my ‘signature,’ although not used as often. Subsequently, when I began my decades-long tenure in New York and Los Angeles as the magazine’s US correspondent from 1975 on, my regular column for B&S went through a few name changes such as “Dateline USA” and “American Boogie” included. It brought to mind my earliest years in London writing for Blues & Soul and my very first regular columns for the magazine: the founder and editor John Abbey was really cool with me writing about whatever I wanted in the world of R&B and soul: I fondly recall the very first iteration, named after a Temptations’ 1972 tune, “Take A Look Around.” In wrapping up our chat, I said, “Well, that’s the DN report!” and in that moment, we both agreed that was a great ‘tag’ line for me to use for some of my Substack posts. The collection concludes with two tracks from Levert’s posthumous Grammy-winning 2007 album In My Songs, the title track and “DJ Don’t,” as well as the previously unreleased “Can It Stay.In a conversation a few days ago with my longtime friend and colleague Najee, the award-winning musician and 2023 recipient of the United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (whose tenure as an active recording, performing and touring artist spans over 35 years), I was reflecting on a few topics of mutual interest. THE BEST OF GERALD LEVERT touches on Levert’s work with singers Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill in the R&B supergroup LSG with “My Body” (#1 R&B/#4 Pop), from trio’s Grammy-nominated, double-platinum debut, Levert-Sweat-Gill (1997). The father and son recorded together frequently over the years, including the poignant ballad “Already Missing You” (#7 R&B), which is featured here and taken from the duo’s first album together, 1995’s Father And Son. Three tracks come from Levert’s 1991 solo debut Private Line, including the single version of the title track, “School Me,” and the R&B #1 “Baby Hold On To Me,” which features the singer teaming up with his father, Eddie Levert, the lead singer of The O’Jays. Arranged chronologically, the album begins with the single version of the Grammy-nominated “Casanova,” a #1 R&B/#5 Pop smash he recorded in 1987 with Levert. Spanning two decades, the 16-song set is the first collection to span Levert’s entire extraordinary career and also features liner notes by Cornel West. “Can It Stay” is available for download now at all digital retailers. Rhino Records pays tribute to Levert with a collection of his greatest work, including the previously unreleased “Can It Stay.” THE BEST OF GERALD LEVERT will be available on August 31 at all retail outlets, including for a suggested list price of $18.98 (CD) and $10.99 (digital). Having had the pleasure to work with Gerald several times, I can honestly say not only do we miss his music, but his personality, sense of humor and undeniable presence. It’s classic Gerald and you can check it out after the jump. This will also include the previously unreleased “ Can It Stay“. Great news from the Rhino Records family, a 16-song collection will be released on August 31st.
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