Martin selected his most gifted protégés (fronted by stellar lead vocalists Chavonne Morris and Alethea Mills) – to form the Levite Camp, a fiercely dedicated group named for one of the twelve tribes of Israel—the musician priests who were allowed to dwell in the temple.  They’ve backed up Browne, Ray Charles and the Neville Brothers, among others, on concert stages, Grammy performances and studio recordings including performing at a MusiCares tribute to Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson.

Now, in collaboration with Jackson Browne, Fred Martin & The Levite Camp have released their stunning debut album, Some Bridges.  Six of the album’s 10 tracks were written by Browne, who also provided lead vocals on two cuts and co-produced with Martin. 

True to its title, the album is a bridge between gospel and secular pop, blues, jazz, soul and rock.  Spiritual and deeply humane, its songs are rooted in faith, compassion and dignity.  Embracing issues both domestic and foreign (such as on Browne’s “World In Motion,” and “Lives in the Balance” to which Martin has added a powerful and soul-searching last verse), celebrating the power of truth and dedication to social change (“About My Imagination”) and hearing your own conscience (“The Next Voice You Hear”), Some Bridges is a fiery testimonial to raising the voice and the consciousness.

Guests on the album include legendary trumpeter Hugh Masakela on “The Next Voice You Hear”; esteemed bluesman Keb’ Mo’, who joins a daring fusion of Robert Johnson’s definitive blues “Crossroads” with the gospel standard “Until I Found the Lord”; and L.A.’s Grammy-winning, genre-blending alternative groove collective, Ozomatli, who lend their funky chops an activist stature to “Lives in the Balance.” 

In addition to vocals, Browne contributed guitar on several tracks; Martin played piano and organ. Also among the album’s gifted roster of players are percussionist Luis Conte, bassists Kevin McCormick and Alex Al, John Bilezikjian on the Oud, Neil Seigle on the Ney and guitarist Mark Goldenberg.   Sheven Morris, twin brother to Chavonne Morris, plays drums on the entire CD.

Martin and Browne have been friends for years, since Martin’s high school choir backed up Browne at benefit performances in the early ’90s.  The singer-songwriter offhandedly

floated the idea of an album two years ago, and Martin threw himself into developing the project.  Indeed, he’d secured the interest of Concord Records before the album was finished being recorded.

These achievements are part of Martin’s relentless determination.  The Compton native, one of nine siblings, grew up in the ’70s; keenly aware of the escalating violence and drugs in his community, he sought another path.  He learned music on his own, devouring books on composition and theory and becoming a church organist.  Martin cites his parents for raising him in church, giving him his foundation and a strong faith in God which ultimately saved his life.  He also credits after-school programs sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation with keeping him off the streets and showing him a better way.