When we reflect on R&B reunions from 1997, the first group that often comes to mind is New Edition. However, during the spring of that year, the R&B trio LeVert reunited to release their final album, “The Whole Scenario,” which is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.
Gerald LeVert was already enjoying a successful solo career, having released two albums and a duet album with his father. His brother Sean had also released a solo project, while Marc Gordon found success as a producer. As R&B was beginning to shift, the trio decided to focus more on the Hip-Hop side of things.
The lead single, “True Dat”, found LeVert making a play for classic soul and battling the onset of hip-hop soul. The up-tempo song has a thick, percussive production. It plays close to a New Jack Swing feel, but let’s LeVert’s harmonies shine above the heavy, click-track beat. The song features a guest rap from Yo-Yo and Queen Pen. Despite the quality of the music, the song failed to achieve commercial success.
“Like Water” returned to its roots. This mid-tempo song reminded listeners of why they loved LeVert ballads in the first place. It is a musical love song, complete with Gerald’s slick production, adult R&B arrangement, and some very grown-up lyrics. Gerald’s lead vocal drips with romantic agony. LeVert’s harmony work is splendid. Gerald’s lead never fails to get at the heart of a song, and he again steals the show with his warm lead vocal.
The third and final single was the beautiful, soulful “Sorry Is”. The song is a low-key, apologetic jam that recalls some of LeVert’s best work. The vibe is laid-back and realistic, and the apology song is no exception; once again, Gerald steals the show with his lead. The rest of the album is a mix of slow jams and up-tempo numbers common to nineties R&B.
Upon revisiting the project, I can’t help but wonder why the label didn’t push “Keys To My House” as a single, since Missy Elliott was on the verge of blowing and this song would have catered to a younger demographic.
While not as successful as their earlier releases, “The Whole Scenario” is a perfect and listenable project.
The songs may be a little simple, but the chemistry and maturity of the group shine through. The music is solid, and LeVert always sounds soulful. Although we didn’t receive a proper tour, “The Whole Scenario” serves as an intense coda for the group.
Final Grade: B
“The Whole Scenario” is available on all streaming platforms.
My introduction to Nate Dogg goes back to Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut, The Chronic, and the song “Deeez Nuuuts.” Even then, something about Nate’s voice set him apart from everybody else. He wasn’t just singing on rap records. He was bringing soul, gospel, street knowledge, and West Coast cool into the same space. He set the standard for hook singers in hip-hop, and dare I say, he’s still vastly underrated.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give Stevie Wonder his due as he prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece, “Songs in the Key of Life,” on tour. While the easy choice could have been “Knocks Me Off My Feet”—a classic that still resonates fifty years later—I chose “From the Bottom of My Heart,” the second single from his twenty-third studio album, “A Time to Love,” released in 2005.
It’s hard to believe that an iconic singing competition like American Idol has produced only two Black male winners in its more than two-and-a-half-decade history. Jamal Roberts made history last year when he won the show, following Ruben Studdard’s well-deserved victory in Season Two.