"Levitate" is the tenth studio album by Bruce Hornsby, marking his third release with his touring band, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, and his first with Verve Records.
The album represents a departure from Hornsby's previous work as it does not feature piano solos. Instead, many of the tracks incorporate lyrical themes related to science and nature. Some songs were co-written with Chip DeMatteo for a stage musical titled SCKBSTD.
The title track of Levitate was used in Spike Lee's documentary Kobe Doin' Work, and "Invisible" was featured in the Bobcat Goldthwait movie World's Greatest Dad, where Hornsby also made a cameo appearance as himself.
Similar to his 2004 album Halcyon Days, Levitate includes contributions from guest artists and people close to Hornsby. Notable collaborators include Eric Clapton, Hornsby’s twin sons Russell and Keith, Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, and Hornsby’s nephew R.S. Hornsby. The latter recorded a memorable guitar solo on "Continents Drift" before tragically passing away in a car accident less than a week after recording. The album is dedicated to his memory.
