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Under the creative genius of singer, songwriter, saxophonist, keyboards and producer Jimmy Levine the stage has been set for one of the most awesome collaboration of musical artists to emerge in the past 10 years. The new Jimmy Levine (Share My Love) project rediscovers good music. Blending the old school recording techniques on classic R&B hits with a young, contemporary hip-hop flavor, he has succeeded in bringing a new sound to todays music menu, a new genre of music has arrived - Smooth R&B "Good luck, Jimmy"- L.A. Magazine.
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The experience while working on this project was unbelievable. This was
an exciting time for Jimmy Levine as Co Producer but most of all as a player.
The best of the best was involved with this project. On a daily basis,
one legend after another strolled into that studio and shared their love
and talent. With none other than Jimmy Levine at the helm.To name a few
Ray Parker, Phil Perry, Howard Hewett, Maysa Leak, Lori Perry, Phil Perry,
Philip Ingram, Kenda Hathaway, "Wah Wah" Watson, the list goes
on. This record was recorded live with real time players making music the
old fashioned real way.
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Jimmy started playing music at a very early age. His mother and grandmother had the most influences on him. At age 4, Jimmy started playing piano in the young children's choir at his grandfather's church, Greater St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond Calif. Jimmy picked up the saxophone at age 13 and never looked back. He was first chair in his high school jazz band. Jimmy played with three different bands as a young and up coming musician, JGD and the New Breed, Black Paint and Company and Merging Traffic.
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Jimmy was most influenced by Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder,
Ray Charles, Grover Washington, Isaac Hayes, Barry White (for whom he wrote
2 hits), George Benson, Berry Gordy and Anna Gaye. Jimmy had the opportunity
to work with all of the artists to have influence on him except one (Donny
Hathaway) who passed before Jimmy got the opportunity to work with him.
However, Jimmy did record 2 of Donny's songs and Donny's youngest daughter
Kenya Hathaway is singing the duet hit "You are my heaven" along
wth Phillip Ingram. You will have to check out the Share My Love CD by
Jimmy to hear all the great musicians and talent that joined Jimmy in putting
Share my Love together.
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This CD was 3 years in the making and came to fruition with the help of long time friend and producer Michael White. Mike and Jimmy brought together legends like Melvin"Wah Wah"Watson Howard Hewett, Phil Perry, Ray Parker, Jr. , Maysa Leak, Everette Harp, Phillip Ingram, Lori Perry, William Bryant, Kevin Dorsey, Michelle Parto, Joe Thompson, Jicole G, Caston G, Jasmyne G., Chris K., Curtis Washington, Carl Wheeler, Jubu, Niki Harris, Greg Moore , Greg Williams, Kevin Agunas and a host of others. Just check out this"Share My Love" joint you won't be disappointed. |
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| Interview with Jimmy Levine |
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- I'd like to ask you a little bit about your background first. When were
you born?
I was born in San Francisco California USA in 1954.
- Could you briefly tell us how did you start playing the saxophone?
My older brother played Tenor Sax in a band when I was 10 years old. I
liked the way the sax sound and ask my brother if he would teach me how
to play it. I was the piano player in my grandfathers church for the youth
choir at that time. Once I started learning from my brother I took music
the next year in school Ifve played sax and piano every since.
- When (and why) did your interest in music go to R&B?
In the 60's the only music my mom and dad listen to was R&B. The Motown
sound was very big in America. If played in a band you learned the Motown
songs. And then there were groups like Sly Stone, Earth Wind and Fire,
The Ohio Players, Donny Hathaway, Grover Washington, how was my idol growing
up. I also love smooth jazz and play in as well.
- When did you start as a professional?
In 1972 I was playing in a club in Oakland California when a gentlemen
name Wally Cox asked me if I would like to play in concert behind Marvin
Gaye. Man I was floored! That was the start of it all. I played on the
show and was invited to Los Angeles where I met other Motown artist, writers
and producers. I met Anna Gaye Marvin's first wife, Berry Gordy's sister
and she asked me to join Outpost Productions and got me a writers contract
with Jobet Publishing Co. owned by Motown. The rest is history.
- Let's talk about BLT. How did you hook up with Jesse Boyce and Richard
Tufo ?
I left Motown for a short time in 1978 and moved to Chicago. I was working
with a guy name Lowrell Simon one of the best writer I've every worked
with. We wrote song for Barry White, Gene Chandler, The Dells and Jerry
Butler. I was introduced to Rich Tufo while in Paul Serano recoding studio.
Rich told me Curtom Record company was making changes the new company would
be called Gold Cost/Capitol Records and if I would be interested in joining
the writing and production team. I said yes a few weeks later he brought
in Jessis Boyce. We were called(BLT)for Jessie Boyce, Jimmy Levine and
Rich Tufo. While at BLT wrote and produce for TTF,Linda Clifford,Ava Cherry
and our in house group Spunk. My stay at Gold Cost was cut short when Anna
Gaye and Robert Gordy ask me to come back if they would offer me a writers/producers
contract and run Anna's company Outpost Production and I did. Jessie went
back home and Rich I think went back to doing jingles.
- How did you release "Tighten It Up" album in 1981 on Gold Coast Records out of Florida?
"Tighten It Up" a project BLT was asked to do by Marv Stewart the CEO/Owner of Gold Cost Records. After we wrote and produced the TTF album we recorded the SPUNK project. Man we have big fun creating the music for SPUNK. Jessie and wrote all the songs for the album. It was released and went to #1 in the UK in 1982.
- Could you tell us a little bit about TTF.
TTF was group of kids from Florida Marv Stewart signed to Gold Cost a year
before Jessie and I joined the company. There first album didn't do so
well so Marv asked Rich Tufo if BLT could come up with a few songs for
TTF. Jessie and I started writing songs for TTF in a different direction
from the first album. They did ok but the group brook up shortly after
the TTF (Surprise Surprise)album was released. I thought we did a great
job writing and producing TTF. They just couldn't see what the future had
in store for them. |
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- Please tell us about your Share My Love CD, the concept behind the idea and your impressions.
Well I came up with the idea for this project back in 1984. Back then I
started recording songs for my self titled cd Jimmy Levine and Friends.
I brought in people like Patrice Russian, Don Boyett, Mike Paulo, and a
few others but I never got the chance to finish the project. In 2002 my
daughter ask me, dad why don't try to get music back to good old R&B/Soul
Music. So I thought about it and deiced to record songs I thought everyone
would enjoy. I wanted to combine old school with new school but keep the
music real and I think we did that. After about 8 months being in the studio
the title came to me and thatfs Share My Love was created.
- How did you select the artists involved with this album?
My co-producer Michael White and I new we had to get people with great voices to sing on the songs I selected. Mike begin calling on friends we both worked with through the years and everyone was so excited for me they just came into the studio and laid us out. People like Phil Perry, Howard Hewitt, Lori Perry, Maysa Leak, Phillip Ingram, Kenya Hathaway, Ray Parker Jr. Ray Fuller, Wah Wah Watson and a host of others joined in to share there love.
- Are there artists or producers you would like to collaborate with?
Yes! I would love to work with Whitney Houston, I think I could put her
back on track. I would also like to work with Jimmy Jam I think he and
I would create some great productions.
- Have you ever had a memory in career that you can't forget?
Yes! When I first met the Jackson 5 in 1974. I was on the same concert
in Oakland California. That was truly an experience I will never forget.
- What really drives you or motivates you to continue to play music?
Music is my life. I feel music could change the world if people would just
listen to some of the messages in music. I yearn to bring together all
people through my music. The one thing all people do throught out there
life and that is sing, dance and listen to music. Music is only thing that
cross all cultures around the world.
-What is music for you?
My life, my food may to express what I feel. My way of giving back. The
best thing in my life out side of my family in MUSIC.
- Would you like to say something to your fans?
Yes! I would like to thank everyone around the world for supporting my
cd "Share My Love" People all over the world is showing me love.
I hope I can continue to Share My Love with mine fans all over the would.
If you don't mind I would like to thank a few special people. Dave Cee,
Di-Lee, SoulsSonic Joreg, Mick O'Donnell, Tony Camillo, Michelle Parto
and all of the DJ's that play my cd. Michael White and all the staff at
Universal UK IMS and you for showing me love just by doing this interview.
Thank you all Jimmy Levine |
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| Discography - albums |
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| as a solo |
| Share My Love - Jimmy Levine (US-CD, Thump Records, 2006) |
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| 1. |
All I Want To Do (Is Be With You) |
| 2. |
There'll Never Be |
| 3. |
You Are My Heaven |
| 4. |
Reunited |
| 5. |
I Wnat You |
| 6. |
Miss You |
| 7. |
Where Is The Love |
| 8. |
Wonderful |
| 9. |
All In Love Is Fair |
| 10. |
Love Ship |
| 11. |
Share My Love |
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Featured Vocalists: Howard Hewett (#2), Phill Perry (#7 and B/A All songs), Phillip Ingram of Switch (#8, 3,7), Kenya Hathaway (#3), Michele Parto (#4), Joe T. Thompson (#4), Niki Haris (#8), Curtis Washington (#1), Razkalz Cru (#5), Caston (The Councilman) Grigsby (#10), Lorry Perry (#6, 7)
Musicians: Michael White (Drums and Percussions), Alex Al (Bass Guitar), Larry Kimpel (Bass Guitar), John (Jubu) Smith (Guitar), Greg Moore (Guitar), Melvin "Wah-Wah" Watson (Guitar), Ray Fuller (The Grand Weeper) (Guitar), Ray Parker Jr. (Guitar), Carl Wheeler (Keyboards), William Bryant (Keyboards and Acoustic Piano Solo), Donald Hayes (Alto and Soprano Sax), Everett Harp (Tenor Sax)
Produced by Jimmy Levine and Michael White
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| as a group |
| Tightn It Up - Spunk (US-LP, Gold Cost, 1981) |
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| Side A |
| 1. |
Get What You Wand |
| 2. |
Hot Flashes |
| 3. |
Love Look Good On You |
| 4. |
Crazy Me |
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| Side B |
| 1. |
Tighten It Up |
| 2. |
A Friend Ain't A Friend |
| 3. |
Expose Yourself |
| 4. |
La Bimini |
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Musicians & Vocalists: Jesse Boyce (Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, and Lead & Vocals Voclas), Jimmy Levine (Keyboards, Raps & Background Vocals), Rich Tufo (Keyboards), Michael White (Drums & Percussion), Theodis Rodgers (Prophet), Paul Howard, Hank Ford, Bill McFarland (Horns), Cinnamon & Peaches, Randy Guidry (Background Vocals), All Arabgements by BLT, Engineer : Roger Anfinsen, Mixing Consultant : Frankie Knuckles
Produced by Jesse Boyce, Jimmy Levine, Rich Tufo (BLT),
Executive Producer : Marv Stuart
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March 20, 2007 |
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