Nice but Incomplete Sampler! ..Rest In Peace 'G'
chakasworld | Atlanta, GA United States | 10/21/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Gerald Levert has been releasing solo CDs since 1991, and instead of releasing a proper 'Best Of' collection, we get this compilation of duets. Nice try Rhino, but you missed the mark by not including some of Gerald's superior duets like:
1. I'll Be Your Shoulder (ft.Miki Howard)
2. Just One Of Them Thangs (ft.Keith Sweat)
3. Smile (ft.Cindy Mizelle)
4. (They Long To Be) Close To You (ft.Tamia)
5. Giving You The Best That I Got (ft.Eddie Levert) - from the 'NBA at 50' (1996) CD!!!
Personally, I think these 5 songs are more essential than the 2 tracks with Men at Large & The Rude Boys, where Gerald is used in the background as opposed to a true duet partner. Once again, I had to do my own thing, and add the better songs to my own CD. The new tracks featuring Sherena Wynn, Vanessa Williams, and Levert are very good, and hold up well next to the older material. All in all, 'Voices' by Gerald Levert is a nice CD for new fans, who don't own his previous projects, but if you go way back, I urge you legally download the 3 new songs & make a better CD for yourself.
**UPDATE** Gerald Levert passed away on November 10, 2006! It is a shock to lose such a great talent, and hopefully his legacy will be appreciated by the legions of REAL music lovers. Gerald Levert was more than a premier vocalist..he also a stellar composer & producer. This CD is merely a 'sampler' of his 20+ year career in music. Rest In Peace 'G'!"
Not only a retrospective, it's a legacy
Steffen Hueper | 01/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i was shocked about the news that gerald levert passed away only reaching his 40's birthday. looking at his oeuvre - i was blessed to accompany his whole great career starting with the superb, minimalistic "casanova" in 1987, i watched the breakup of the group and listened to his solo steps from far away germany. he was a cancer like me and only one year older, so i understood his very intense access to soul feelings and always enjoed these transformation into sophisticated mucic. his very impressive work will leave a gap. he always gave 100 percent, sometimes even more in his songs, he was absolutely gifted with a universal instinct and inspired to record some fine tunes with very different artists on this album. so sad that it's his legacy..."
Here is a man with a voice smooth and full of passion....
PinkFloyd4Ever | Broken Arrow, OK | 10/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I personally will tell you this much... from the moment I heard Casanova I fell in love with Gerald Levert. I love this cd because it is a combination of some of most passionate songs. He is follow the footsteps of his father, another one of my favorite artist."