Eddie Levert

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, 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?"

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Upcoming shows for Eddie Levert

 B B Kings Blues Club New York,NY 10/9/10

The O’Jays' Eddie Levert is already very well known to secular audiences due to the rich, powerful baritone that has powered hits like “I Love Music,” “Love Train,” and “Backstabbers,” among others. Now he’s lending his voice to an even higher cause – spreading the gospel. He is part of the WKM (We Know Music) gospel compilation CD, “I’ve Been Saved,” which comes out on June 22nd.

On the CD, Levert sings the song “Why,” which is a spiritual exploration of loss, something the senior Levert knows all too well after losing his sons, Gerald and Sean, within a year of each other.
 
It’s not Levert’s first time singing gospel. He and Walter Williams started out in Canton, Ohio singing gospel songs on the radio. Their duets ultimately led to the formation of the O’Jays.

“I’ve Been Saved” producer Johnny Baber is a Canton native as well, and he definitely wanted Levert on the project.

“Levert reflects his passion for change and believes every word he sings,” Baber says.

“I’ve Been Saved” includes 12 original songs and three covers. Artists who participated include Najee, vocalist Mary Griffith, Zacardi Cortez, Hope Lester (featured on the Bobby Jones Gospel Hour) Oliver Scott (formerly of the Gap Band), and percussionist Charles Brown.