The Onyx Album-Gospel Blues

Fight Me with Scripture

I see the fire in your frozen gaze
Iceland skies, girl, you set the blaze
No time to sleep, no time to play
It’s time to speak about you and me today

No time to chill, I’m feeling the heat
You walk in the room, 
my heart skips a beat
Snow in your hair, but your soul’s on fire
Got me chasing dreams, climbing higher
You’re the calm in my storm, 
the ice in my flame

Every word you say, 
I’m calling your name
From Reykjavík nights 
to the break of dawn
You’re the rhythm in my verse, 
the muse in my song

I never knew love could feel this cold
Wrapped in warmth from a heart so bold
You melt my fears with a single glance
Girl, with you, 
I don’t need a second chance

Northern flame, you light my way
Even in the dark, you make me stay
No time for sleep, no time for play
It’s time to speak about you and me today

Northern flame, you burn so bright
In your arms, I found my light
No time to run, no need to hide
With you, girl, I’m alive inside

You got that glacier glow, 
that midnight spark
Your love’s a compass 
when the world gets dark

I’d cross oceans just to feel your touch
Iceland queen, you mean that much
We vibin’ like auroras in the sky
Colors dancing, you and I

No filter needed, you’re picture-perfect
Every moment with you feels worth it

I never knew love could feel this cold
Wrapped in warmth from a heart so bold
You melt my fears with a single glance
Girl, with you, 
I don’t need a second chance

Northern flame, you light my way
Even in the dark, you make me stay
No time for sleep, no time for play
It’s time to speak about you and me today

Northern flame, you burn so bright
In your arms, I found my light
No time to run, no need to hide
With you, girl, I’m alive inside

Let the ice fall, let the past fade
You’re the only truth I ever crave
From the fjords to the stars above
You’re my melody, my only love

Northern flame, you light my way
 (yeah, yeah)
Even in the dark, you make me stay
 (you make me stay)
No time for sleep, no time for play
It’s time to speak about you and me today

Northern flame, you burn so bright
In your arms, I found my light
No time to run, no need to hide
With you, girl, I’m alive inside

Iceland skies, you and me
Northern flame, eternally

Northern Flame

The Best of Gerald Levert

Thinkin' Bout It

As the son of O’Jays frontman Eddie Levert, Gerald Levert was born into American soul royalty. He formed the R&B trio LeVert in 1984 while he was still attending high school in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The group – which also comprised his younger brother Sean and friend Marc Gordon – was among Atlantic Records’ top urban acts of the ‘80s and ‘90s, unleashing a succession of hits, among them the pop smash “Casanova.” Levert made his solo debut with 1991’s EastWest release, Private Line, featuring two R&B #1 hits in the title track and “Baby Hold On To Me,” a duet with his famous father. In 1994, he joined the Elektra family when Sylvia Rhone, who had been running Atlantic’s Atco/EastWest division, moved over to become head of the Elektra Entertainment Group – the first African-American woman to become chairman of a major label. Rhone brought with her many of the artists she had been nurturing at EastWest, including Levert.
In 1997, Levert co-founded LSG, an urban R&B supergroup also comprising Johnny Gill and Elektra labelmate Keith Sweat. Fueled by the #1 R&B/Hip-Hop hit, “My Body,” the trio’s Elektra/EastWest debut album, Levert. Sweat. Gill, made a top 5 Billboard 200 debut on its way to RIAA platinum certification.

Levert’s first Elektra release came with 1999’s G, an ambitious collection that included the R&B hit, “Mr. Too Damn Good.” Levert’s next three albums, including 2001’s Gerald’s World, 2002’s The G Spot, and 2003’s Stroke of Genius, made top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 upon their respective releases, with the third set also hitting #1 on the R&B album chart.

With Elektra entering dormancy, Gerald returned to Atlantic in 2004 with Do I Speak For The World. On November 10, 2006, he passed away from acute intoxication caused by the accidental combination of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs; he was 40 years old.

In 2007, Levert’s final solo album, In My Songs, debuted atop Billboard’s “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” chart while also entering the overall Billboard 200 at #2. The acclaimed album’s title track later earned Levert his first-ever Grammy for “Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance,” an award memorably accepted on his behalf by younger brother, Sean. Sadly, Sean Levert died shortly thereafter from complications related to sarcoidosis; he was 39.