Eddie Levert Goes Rock on New Solo Project

Posted on Jun 11th 2009 12:00PM by David Chiu
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Fans of the R&B vocal group the O'Jays may be surprised to hear what lead singer Eddie Levert has in store musically for his upcoming solo work. "Right now I'm trying to do a little rock 'n' roll," Levert tells Spinner about the project, which may be out sometime next year. "I'm trying to do a little bit away from the group and try to do something on my own." He continues: "I like doing 'Addicted to Love,' that kind of stuff. I'd do it."

Levert's last solo project was 'Something to Talk About,' a 2007 duet album with his late son Gerald. As for whom he would like to work with on this album, the singer, who turns 67 on June 16, mentions producer and chairman of Geffen Records Ron Fair. "He's [worked with] Christina Aguilera, the Black Eyed Peas, [and] the Pussycat Dolls," says Levert. "He did an album for us called 'Emotionally Yours,' [where] we did a cover of a Bob Dylan song. So I like him as a producer and I think he knows how to pull the people together."

Asked if the project will also involve producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who were responsible for many of the O'Jays' greatest '70s hits such as 'Love Train' and 'For The Love of Money,' Levert says: "Naturally. How could I do it without them?"

Levert and the O'Jays were among the guests this past Monday night at the Apollo Theater's 75th anniversary gala in New York City where singer Patti LaBelle and producer Quincy Jones were inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame. Levert says that the O'Jays have performed at the Apollo many times in their career. "This is a place where you learn your craft," he says. "This is a place where you come and work hard. They teach you how to get on and off the stage, [and] they show you when you're not doing a song that's worth doing. It was a great experience."