Twenty years after the sibling gospel trio Levy’s Heritage was formed the members say they are grateful for the strides that they have made locally and regionally.
The multi-award-winning act, which comprises Oshin, Ovando, and Oneil, are the children of veteran and respected gospel artiste Lubert Levy.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday, Oshin spoke about their plans to commemorate the milestone anniversary and new music.
“The journey has been a testament of the goodness of God in our lives. We are grateful for all the strides we’ve made and the supporters that we have gained along the way — from singing as children/teens to becoming a respected group in Jamaica; we are truly grateful,” she told the Observer.
Oshin started out as a soloist, while her brothers performed as a gospel duo calling themselves the Levy Brothers. It was in 2005 that their father suggested that they combine their talents and form a group.
Said she: “Our dad had the vision of how well we’d blend together, and so we formed the group,” adding that the values instilled in them have been the glue that has kept the trio together over the years.
“Just by loving God and caring for others are qualities that have been instilled in us since we were young. So, we are focused on serving God and valuing each other. We also understand that each member brings something different to the table, which presents an opportunity for us to lean on each other’s strengths to make things work. We also simply love each other and enjoy each other’s company, which makes working together easier,” Oshin shared.
The trio entered the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Song competition in 2012 with the song One Touch and emerged victorious.
To date, Levy’s Heritage has released two full-length studio albums, 2013’s One Touch and 2019’s Summoned: Submitting to the Call, which featured the favourites Na Ramp, Purify Me, and Ever Be.
The group is slated to release a single in July, while a full-length album is set to follow on November 1.
“Let us first start by saying thanks to everyone who has recognised our efforts over the years. We are blessed to have won four Sterling Gospel Awards in the category of Group of the Year, plus we have received recent nominations in international award shows such as Marlin Gospel Awards for our collaborative effort with Jodi-Ann Myers ‘Sweet Suh’ and the Jamaica International Music Awards. If we should go back to our early beginnings then we definitely have to mention us being awarded as Junior Gospel Stars in the Canadian-based Maja Awards in 2006, earning two awards from the Love Gospel Station in New York for Group of the Year and, most definitely, winning the JCDC Gospel Festival in 2012 during Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence,” said Oshin.
Speaking to the work being put into new music, she said: “We will be sharing new music with our supporters in celebration of our 20 years. So, our supporters can look out for our album launch on November 1, plus a song release on July 10, which is the day that we will officially celebrate our 20th anniversary. Folks can expect a spirit-filled and vibrant track, a genre that they’ve loved us for since we released our début album.”
For the forthcoming single, the trio served executive producers with the support of producers, musicians and engineers, including Brinton Haughton, Earl Smith Jr, Sandrae Crosdale, Levoy Paul, Everol “Stingwray” Wray, and Tafane Buchsaecab.
It remains untitled.
The group’s next assignments include the event called His Glory Unveiled on July 12 in Spanish Town and Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza on August 3 in Clarendon.