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BIO
TIMELESS!
This says it all. The O’Jays are living legends…American
Treasures. The term "living legend" is often overused and
abused, but with The O’Jays, well, there’s little argument that the
honorable tag truly applies. Now this storied trio adds yet another
cornerstone to their impressive track record with IMAGINATION…
their new album being released on Music World Music/Sanctuary Urban
Records Group.
With
their place in modern music history secure, The O’Jays have a
body of work that includes over 60 albums, 24 Top Ten smashes and 59
total charted songs. They continue to perform incredibly energetic and
dynamic live shows with their Olympian vocals
and
continue their social and political impact on generations and nations.
Doing
things slowly is not Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and Eric
Grant’s modus operandi. After 40+ years making such international
hits as "Back Stabbers," "For The Love Of Money,"
"Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby," "Love Train," "I
Love Music," "Use Ta Be My Girl"and "Have You Had
Your Love Today," The O’Jays are light years away from easing up
on the gas. Their new album demonstrates that, like fine wine, The O’Jays
just improve with time.
IMAGINATION
is a work of art,
with a classic O’Jays sound resounding on each track. The title
tune Imagination, written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry
Lewis, is the next great "steppers" anthem. Levert and
Williams wrote and produced 3 songs -- "Make-Up" a slow
mellow tune for lovers; "Chauvinistic", an uptempo beat
that will make you clap your hands and stomp your feet, and the reggae
flavored "Busy Tonight." Levert and Williams also
collaborated with Troy Taylor on "Made It Back," a tune
with a great gospel beat and the heart felt "Separate
Ways." The album also features writing and production from Rob
Fusari, Gordon Chambers and Gerald Levert.
There
have been "four faces" of the O’Jays. This vocal group from
Canton, Ohio originated with Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr.,
William Powell, Bobby Massey and Billy Isles. Their name was coined from
the last name of Cleveland DJ Eddie O’Jay by chance. Isles left the
group in 1965. Massey left to become a record Producer in 1971 and
Levert, Williams and Powell continued as a trio. Powell retired from
touring due to illness in late 1975, passing at the age of 35 in 1977.
Powell was replaced by Sammy Strain, formerly with Little Anthony &
The Imperials. Strain returned to his former group in 1993 and was
replaced by Nathaniel Best.
After the
departure in 1995 of Best, Eric Nolan Grant joined the group. Levert
says "Eric was the ideal person for the O’Jays, because he was
used to working within a group, which Walter Williams managed. He was
really a shoe-in, and he fit perfectly". Further he states
"With his addition, we have been able to keep our performances at a
level that we’re used to having-stage-wise and in the studio."
Eddie and
Walter’s lifelong relationship began when Walter met Eddie when he was
6 and Eddie was 7. Their cohesive and long lasting relationship is what
they patterned their career after and is just an example of their long
commitment to The O’Jays, their commitment to excellence and to their
fans. "We have three generations at our concerts…the kids, the
moms and dads, and the grandmas and granddads", says Williams.
"This popularity among generations is rare in music today, an
exception rather than the rule and that is why The O’Jays are a
phenomenon", says the Management Team of Rosalind R. Ray, Esquire
and Andy Gibson, CPA. Ray and Gibson add "The O’Jays are more
than legends. They are the architects of music that have proven timeless
and priceless".
"IMAGINATION…
is a CD that we believe everyone, especially longtime O’Jays fans,
will enjoy," says Music World/Santuary Urban Records Group
president Mathew Knowles.
Eddie
Levert summarizes the album: "The message on IMAGINATION…
is love; love in a relationship, jealousy love, long-distance love,
trying to find love." Walter concurs: "We are pretty much
known as the messengers of love. We try to continue to exude love
throughout our songs, while asking our audience to use their IMAGINATION.
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