Father and Son

Full performer name: Gerald Levert/Eddie Levert, Sr.
Personnel: Gerald Levert (vocals, keyboards, drums, programming); Eddie Levert, Sr., Eric Grant, Melvin Sephus, Sherena Wynn (vocals); Perry "P Funk" Gibson, Dave Spencer (rap vocals); Randy Bowland, Larry Tyus (guitar); Dave Anderson (electric guitar); Jack Faith (flute); Gerald Albright, Ronald Kerber, Julian Presley, Harry Midema, Bill Zaccagni (saxophone); Robert Shuster, Alan Rochlin, Rick Kerber (trumpet); Richard Schwartz, Glenn Estrin, Paul Rosenfeld (French horn); Jay Malloy, Robert Gale, Salvatore Scarpa, Philip McClelland (trombone); "Doctor" Dennis Williams (piano); Edwin "Tony" Nicholas (keyboards, bass, drums, programming); Edward "Buddy" Banks, Dwain Mitchell (keyboards, drums, programming); Doug Grisby (bass); Joe Nero (percussion).
Producers: Gerald Levert, Edwin "Tony" Nicholas, Eddie Levert, Sr., Dwain Mitchell.
Photographer: Dan Borris.
Father and Son is the first full-length collaboration between Gerald and Eddie LeVert, two singers who have sustained their popularity throughout the changing climate of soul and R&B for over two decades. Appropriately, the album falls into the middle ground between the heart-stopping, smooth soul of Eddie's group, the O'Jays, and the slicker, funkier LeVert, which featured Gerald. Largely produced by Gerald and his longtime associate Edwin "Tony" Nicholas -- with Eddie and Dwain Mitchell handling some of the funkiest numbers -- Father and Son showcases both of the vocalists to fine effect. Half of the album is devoted to sweeping ballads, like the single "Already Missing You" and "Don't Make Me Beg." The other half is full of funk workouts, including a smouldering cover of the O'Jays' "You Got Your Hooks in Me" featuring Walter Williams, the singer of the original, on lead. What holds Father and Son together the most is the love and respect between Gerald and Eddie LeVert, which is evident by the way the two singers play off of each other. Most duos compete for the spotlight. Here, each vocalist lets the other shine. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine