Levert
LeVert was an influential R&B vocal group from Cleveland, Ohio, formed in the early 1980s by brothers Gerald Levert and Sean Levert—sons of O'Jays lead singer Eddie Levert—along with Marc Gordon.
The group debuted in 1983 or 1984, releasing their first single "I'm Still" on the independent Tempre label, which peaked at number 70 on the R&B charts. They signed with Atlantic Records in 1985, issuing their debut album I Get Hot that drew comparisons to Eddie's style and featured early club performances opening for acts like The O'Jays and The Temptations.
LeVert achieved commercial success with albums like Bloodline (1986), featuring the R&B hit "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind"; The Big Throwdown (1987); Just Coolin' (1988); Rope a Dope Style (1990); and For Real Tho' (1993). Their sound blended soulful ballads, up-tempo tracks, and catchy hooks, dominating urban radio with singles like "Whole Scenario."
Gerald Levert and Marc Gordon formed Trevel Productions in 1987, producing hits for acts including Rude Boys ("Written All Over Your Face"), Men at Large ("So Alone"), and others like Troop, Miki Howard, and Stephanie Mills. Gerald later pursued a solo career starting with Private Line (1991) and collaborated in supergroups like LSG with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill.
LeVert's dynamic catalog influenced urban male groups through the 1980s and 1990s. The group effectively ended with Gerald's death on November 10, 2006, at age 40, followed by Sean's passing in 2008, leaving Marc Gordon as the survivor.
Just Coolin’
2 Just Coolin' Featuring – Heavy D 4:19
3 Gotta Get The Money 4:45
4 Take Your Time 5:04
5 Join In The Fun 3:28
6 Let's Get Romantic 4:23
7 Feel Real 5:52
8 Smilin' 4:18
9 Start Me Up Again 4:18
10 Loveable 5:23
11 Addicted To You 3:52
Eddie Levert Sr. (tracks: 11), Gerald Levert, Marc Gordon
Label: Atlantic – 7 81926-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: R&B Soul, Hip Hop
Style: Contemporary R&B, Swing
LeVert's 1988 album Just Coolin' was a well-received commercial success that critics at the time praised as the group's best to date. It leans heavily into the late-80s new jack swing sound on its uptempo tracks and features signature smooth R&B ballads, with a strong showcase of the trio's vocal harmonies and songwriting abilities.
Rolling Stone Album Guide noted that with this album, "the beats are bigger, the funk is deeper, and LeVert seems in the process of reinventing its whole sound". USA Today called it the group's "best to date" and praised the "delicious" ballads.
Contemporary reviews often highlight the album for successfully navigating the popular music styles of 1988, which saw the commercial rise of hip-hop and new jack swing acts like Guy.
The album follows a traditional R&B format, placing the faster tracks at the beginning and slowing down for the ballads on the second half.
Uptempo Tracks: The title track, "Just Coolin'" (featuring Heavy D), was a significant hit and is considered an early popular R&B/Hip-Hop collaboration. Other tracks like "Pull Over" and "Gotta Get The Money" embrace the infectious, high-energy new jack swing style. While some of these beats haven't aged perfectly in terms of timelessness, the genuine energy of the performances keeps them entertaining.
Ballads: The slow jams, such as "Let's Get Romantic," "Start Me Up Again," and "Loveable," are frequently praised for their excellent songwriting and the trio's superb vocal performances. These songs are often described as quintessential "grown folk" or "baby making music" of the era.
Other Styles: The song "Join In The Fun" stands out for its 80s funk/pop flavor, which some critics find less dated than the new jack material, even featuring a salsa-style intro.
Overall, while some critics felt it lacked the "sense of adventure" of their previous album, The Big Throwdown, Just Coolin' is considered a solid, high-quality contemporary R&B album that captured LeVert at a pivotal moment in their career and the genre's evolution. The album is available for purchase on various platforms, including Amazon and Discogs.