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The Isley Brothers Album - Eternal - Featuring Ronald Isley AKA Mr. Biggs
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Release Date:2001-08-01
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Type:Promotional
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Genre:R&B, Funk, Classic Soul
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Label:DreamWorks
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Explicit Lyrics:No
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Review - AMG :
Within seconds of listening to "Move Your Body," the opener to Eternal, the latest by the Isley Brothers, audiences will easily agree -- the forefathers of boudoir faire still have it. Forty years in the business have not chiseled away at the talented brothers: Ronald Isley's falsetto is unwavering and remains inimitable in 2001, when the R&B market is saturated. Ernie Isley soars on guitar -- "Ernie's Jam" showcases the brother playing soulful and tasty solos, ā la Jimi Hendrix -- adding further sexiness to this already sensual disc. Cheaters are blatantly busted on the slithering "Contagious," where the rogue-lover is caught in the act. The words coming from the jilted are so vivid and painful. Ronald specifically describes walking toward the bedroom, hearing his lover crying out someone else's name. Ouch. While it's all about sex and pleasing a lover on the arousing "Just Like This," the disc is not just skin on skin. The album poignantly explores commitment on such romantic slow jams as "You're All I Need," "Settle Down," and the title track. An impressive roster of collaborators -- writers, performers, and producers -- grace Eternal and they span old-school and modern R&B players such as R. Kelly, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Jill Scott. There is nothing groundbreaking on this recording, however, the longtime R&B legends prove they're still very much worth their salt and can keep up very well with the Joneses. Indeed, the Isley Brothers are eternal. ~ Liana Jonas, All Music GuideReview - Yahoo! Music - Steven Benaquist :
The Isleys are out to show that they are up to date on Eternal, from the credit "featuring Ronald Isley" (which seems a little egotistical, considering there are only two brothers), to the lyrics on the albums many smoove slowjams. Essentially, though, the Isleys continue to pitch woo and croon stories of love--whether unattainable, gone, or right now between
the sheets, girl.
The production is very much in line with current R&B, evoking Carl Thomas or Faith Evans, and occasionally the '90s ballads of Prince, but with the distinct vocals of Mr. Biggs. The album is easy listening, in a positive sense. For fans of the slowjam subgenre of R&B, the pleasant harmonies of "Settle Down" and the plaintive lyrics of "You Deserve Better" are enjoyable. The Isleys do not advance their style on this album, but ably perform in their well-established groove.
Ernie Isley, the one who's not featured, adds a touch that gives this album a somewhat different feel from their contemporaries: his guitar. His subtle phrasing and laid-back style show his long experience and an ability to solo that is absent from most modern R&B. He even gets to cut loose a little here and there, notably on "Ernie's Jam".
You may feel a little nostalgia for the Isley's first two decades, when their tempo picked up for "Twist And Shout" and "Fight The Power", but they have become balladeers, and this album is where they're at now.
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