O’Donel Levy
<div hidden>O Donel Levy ODonel Levy</div>O'Donel "Butch" Levy was a notable American guitarist known for his contributions to the rhythm & blues, funk, and jazz genres. He was born on September 20, 1945, in Baltimore, Maryland. Levy's early life was spent in South Baltimore, where he began his musical journey.
Levy pursued his studies in music at the prestigious Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, which laid the groundwork for his future career in the music industry. His talent quickly became apparent as he collaborated with prominent musicians, notably working with organist Jack McDuff and other jazz legends in Boston.
Throughout his career, Levy was recognized for his unique guitar style that blended elements of blues, funk, and jazz, making him a sought-after session musician. He was also the brother of Stafford Levy, a well-known session drummer, which indicates a family connection to the music scene.
O'Donel Levy lived in various locations, including spending time abroad, where he reportedly ran a club in either Singapore or Thailand, showcasing the international reach of his career. After a life dedicated to music, O'Donel Levy passed away on March 14, 2016, at the age of 70. His legacy continues to influence musicians across genres and remains a significant figure in the music world.
Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky
Written-By – O'Donel Levy
3:20
A2 Marbles
Written-By – O'Donel Levy
6:25
A3 Will It Go Round In Circles
Written-By – Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher
3:20
A4 Livin' For The City
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
4:59
B1 Sideshow
Written-By – Bob Eli, V. Barrett
4:48
B2 Willow Weep For Me
Written-By – Ann Ronnell
6:20
B3 Hey, Love!
Written-By – O'Donel Levy
3:17
B4 Are You Foolin Me
Written-By – O'Donel Levy
3:07
Label:
Groove Merchant – GM 535
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released:1974
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Funk, Jazz-Funk
Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky is a jazz-funk album by American guitarist O'Donel Levy, recorded in 1974 and released on the Groove Merchant label. Following his acclaimed 1973 album Simba, this record shifts toward a more "full-on funk" approach compared to his typically more laidback style.
The recording session includes notable jazz and session artists such as David Sanborn (saxophone), Ralph MacDonald (percussion), Lew Soloff (trumpet), and Charles Covington (keyboards).
Levy performs his signature tight, funky guitar work and contributes some vocals to the set. Features heavy electric funk arrangements by Dave Matthews.
Critics generally describe the album as a solid showcase of Levy's "bursting" guitar sound and sophisticated soul arrangements. While some retrospective reviews, such as those from AllMusic, suggest it lacked the strong original tunes of its predecessor Simba, it remains highly regarded by funk enthusiasts for its "hard-grooving" instrumentation and iconic "shocking" cover art.
O Donel Levy ODonel Levy