The Whole Scenario
| The Whole Scenario | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1997 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Label | Atlantic[1] | |||
| Producer | Gerald Levert, Marc Gordon, Edwin "Tony" Nicholas | |||
| LeVert chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Whole Scenario is the final studio album by the American R&B group LeVert, released in 1997.[2][3]
The album peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard 200.[4]
Production[edit]
Yo-Yo and Queen Pen appear on the song "Tru Dat", the album's first single; Missy Elliot contributed to "Keys to My House".[5] The album was produced by Gerald Levert, Marc Gordon, and Edwin "Tony" Nicholas.[6] Gerald Levert blamed the album's relatively poor chart performance on its troubled production and his disagreements with Gordon.[7] Mad Lion raps on "You Keep Me Comin'".[8]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| The Commercial Appeal | [10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [11] |
| MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide |  [12] |
| The State | [8] |
The Austin American-Statesman thought that "the old LeVert who attracted so many romance-starved women has now been replaced by three men who are trying a little too hard to keep up with the new R&B artists."[13] The Miami Herald wrote that, "while the trio smoothly harmonizes when the tempo calls for it, the music is too slick, too processed and lacks distinction."[14] The Akron Beacon Journal opined that "the entire album is worth a listen, but quickly skip to the lush, practically perfect 'Like Water' ... the beautiful song uses violins, violas, a harp, an English horn, a flute, and other instruments not usually found on Levert's productions."[15]
AllMusic wrote that "although the album has some clear contemporary hip-hop influences, it works because LeVert hasn't lost sight of their primary strengths as a soulful vocal group."[9]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Whole Scenario" | |
| 2. | "Do It Right Here" | |
| 3. | "You Keep Me Comin'" | |
| 4. | "True Dat" | |
| 5. | "Sorry Is" | |
| 6. | "Swing My Way" | |
| 7. | "Like Water" | |
| 8. | "Keys to My House" | |
| 9. | "Playground" | |
| 10. | "I'll Get It Done" | |
| 11. | "Ain't No Thang" | |
| 12. | "Mama's House" | |
| 13. | "True Dat (Hip Hop Remix)" |
References[edit]
- ^ Coveney, Janine (Nov 8, 1997). "EastWest Set Unites 3 R&B Powerhouses". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 45. p. 15.
- ^ "LeVert Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "Sounding Off". Ebony. Vol. 52, no. 8. Jun 1997. p. 18.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research. p. 454.
- ^ Frazier, C. D. (10 May 1997). "Levert: 'The Whole Scenario' blend of pop, hip-hip and R&B". New York Amsterdam News. p. 21:4.
- ^ "Levert is Back on the Block with 'The Whole Scenario'". Los Angeles Sentinel. 23 Apr 1997. p. B7.
- ^ Hodges, Neal (July 16, 1998). "Levert Continues Success with LSG". The Plain Dealer. p. 7B.
- ^ a b McCormick, Jerry (25 Apr 1997). "Romance Masters". Weekend. The State. p. 13.
- ^ a b "The Whole Scenario". AllMusic.
- ^ Ellis, Bill (April 26, 1997). "Recordings". The Commercial Appeal. p. C2.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 194.
- ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 351.
- ^ "LeVert lets ladies down". Austin American-Statesman. 3 May 1997. p. C1.
- ^ Cohen, Howard (March 14, 1997). "Levert The Whole Scenario Atlantic". Miami Herald. p. 23G.
- ^ Johnson, Kevin C. (April 10, 1997). "Cleveland R&B Singer on Charts with Trio, Also Sings Second Record Deal". Akron Beacon Journal. p. F2.
