Customer Reviews

Masterpiece

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recorded shortly before the untimely death of founding member O'Kelly Isley, "Masterpiece" is an album that attempts to present the rhythm & blues/funk group in a different light. It almost succeeds with this collection of mostly ballads. I feel that the group and their label at the time were trying for crossover success but didn't quite make it.

That withstanding, the album is noteworthy for the following tunes: "May I?" "My Best Was Good Enough," "If Leaving Me is Easy," "Colder Are My Nights," and a cover of the Charlie Rich hit "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World."

Although the production relies a little too heavily on the strings (Hey! It is called "Masterpiece!"), the "soul" of the group comes forth with the superb vocal work of lead Ronald Isley.

Of all the Isley Brothers recordings "Masterpiece" is one of their best, and least appreciated, works ever created. Only penning one song, "May I?", they selected some of the finest works of music at that time such as the Phil Collins tune "If Leaving Me Is Easy". Other "timeless classics" include "Colder Are My Nights" and "Come To Me". Unfortunately after almost two decades as the famed "3+3", this would be the original trio's last recording as the eldest O'Kelly would pass away a year later from occlusive coronary artery disease.

THIS ALBUM IS BY FAR THE BEST COLLECTION OF LOVE BALLADS THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD. IT TOUCHED MY SOUL WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT MANY YEARS AGO. RON ISLEY'S WORK IS REMARKABLE AND WILL BE HEARD FOR ANOTHER DECADE TO COME. THE TRACK "MY BEST WAS GOOD ENOUGH" IS WONDERFUL. THE WHOLE ALBUM IS AN EXPRESSION OF ULTIMATE LOVE.

This silky isley brothers album is a true MASTERPIECE!!.It is the very essence,the heart and soul of the isley brothers.All the songs express true emotions. A perfect album from start to finish,from "May I" my personal favourite here, similar to "between the sheets". "If leaving me is easy" is so good, so different, "colder are my nights" a real standout song, I love it!!. "Come to me" another favourite, "release your love" to "the most beautiful girl",so pleading. With nine songs total, it is an amazing listening experience, a perfect collection of fine ballards. One of my very loved isley discs!!.I strongly recomend this album to anyone who is a fan of the isleys, you would become easily very attached to it,as I have!!.who needs gold and diamonds?.MASTERPIECE is my prised possession!!!!.

This album is the greatest of all the works they have done. Ron Isley is a remarkable artist along with the others in the group. This album expresses the ultimate sound of love. When you listen to the songs you can feel the love. It is very sensuous and very intimate. A MASTERPIECE of all times. Their album entitled LOVE BALLADS only comes close to this master work. When I first heard this album several years ago I immediatley fell head first for it. It is ashame that this MASTERPIECE is no longer available on the market.