Smooth Sailin

The Isley Brothers, Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley A.k.a.mr.biggs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 3, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino Flashback
• ASIN: B001O54NI0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,634 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT, THE MOST UNDERRATED OF ALL THE ALBUMS!, November 17, 1999

By 

Bradley Kelso (Vista, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Smooth Sailin' (Audio CD)

Considering this 1987 release was at the time O'Kelly Isley passed proves that the Isley Brothers can make incredible music even at times of adversity. The title track is a TRUE classic which needs no introduction. It also includes "Come my Way", a re-make of a Rene & Angela classic hit in 1981. "Somebody I Used To Know" is another underrated classic. In short, this CD is truly for the REAL Isley Brothers' fans. Note than this was the first release that Ronald Isley's wife Angela Winbush(formerly of Rene & Angela)had taken a prime role in production of the Isley Brothers' sound. It sounds so good that you'd think she had been with the group all along.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Great Comeback, January 10, 2003

By 

David W. Coleman "Sportside Books" (Buckeye, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Smooth Sailin' (Audio CD)

The Isley Brothers (O'Kelly, Rudolph & Ronald) had finally bounced back from the departure of the younger members of their band (Isley, Jasper, Isley). They signed with Warner Bros. and released a workmanlike (but unspectacular) album, Masterpiece, in 1986. The group's foundation was then rocked by the sudden death of oldest brother O'Kelly from a massive heart attack. But with each ending comes a new beginning. Angela Winbush (formerly of Rene and Angela) had seen her professional relationship with Rene Moore go by the wayside. She had some tracks left over that she felt would work well on The Isleys and, upon meeting Ronald, began a relationship that would culminate in marriage. Her vast skill as a songwriter and producer on this album brought The Isleys (carrying on as a duo) all the way back. The set kicks off with three uptempo numbers. "Everything Is Alright" was a perfect song for the occasion. Kelly wouldn't have wanted his death to be the end of the act that was his life's passion, and his brothers intended to carry on into a fourth decade of epic performances. Ronald gives a great performance on "Send A Message," a tribute to his late brother. Angela crafted the song perfectly to the Isley style. It fits Ronald like silk pajamas! The title cut, "Smooth Sailing Tonight," puts the brothers in familiar territory: the bedroom. And they stay there for the rest of the album. "Somebody I Used To Know" and "I Wish" are a couple of really nice ballads. "Come My Way" is a remake of a Rene and Angela song, that I think beats the original. Rene Moore wound up suing Angela Winbush, claiming co-authorship of songs on this album (I don't know how that one turned out). The last time I saw the Isleys in concert (around the time of "Mission To Please"), only Ronald and Ernie appeared. Rudolph had retired and Marvin had ceased performing due to his bout with diabetes. Angela Winbush made a cameo appearance as one of the background singers, and sang a verse from "Angel," her #1 R&B hit as a solo act.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but they've done a little better, October 22, 2006

By 

Glen Zimmerman "RealMenDriveFords" (Lindenwold, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Smooth Sailin' (Audio CD)

It's not the greatest album they ever made, but this one still manages to meet the basic standards necessary to craft a listenable Isleys album, not to mention the pressure that they were probably under following the death of O'Kelly Isley after the release of their last album to that point. The silky-smooth voice of Ronald Isley beautifies the sensuous title track, and the funky "Everything Is Alright" was one of the best uptempo numbers they'd had in years.