NEW ISLEY BROS. CD DUE ON MAY 6: R. Kelly contributes to 11 of album's 12 tracks as writer, arranger & producer.
Snoop Dogg featured on "I Like" and 'Lil Kim on "Body Kiss."


Isley Brothers
(Apr. 3, 2003) Los Angeles -- Set for May 6 release on DreamWorks Records, The Isley Brothers' 'Body Kiss' shows these legendary performers haven't lost a thing after a remarkable 50 years in music. With radio play for the first single, "What Would You Do?" heating up, the hit-filled album is poised to be one of the biggest successes of the group's long career, surpassing even their Platinum-selling 2001 release, 'Eternal.' Featuring Ronald Isley's distinctively soulful voice and cadence and Ernie Isley's funky guitar licks, the record's 12 tracks are in step with both the Isleys' 1960s and 70s classics and 2003's hottest urban music, highlighting just how much contemporary R&B is imbued with the Isleys' influence.

"What Would You Do?," the seductive first single written, produced and arranged by R. Kelly, is already climbing the Urban charts, debuting as the #1 most added song on Urban AC during the week of March 3. The song's video was directed by Bille Woodruff (Ashanti, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys) and filmed in front of a live audience at Chicago's Congress Theatre. Ronald Isley appears in the playful "Mr. Biggs" alter ego first devised for an R. Kelly video in 1996, a guise appropriate to the provocative pick-up lines of "What Would You Do?". R. Kelly continues the ongoing relationship, making a guest appearance in the Isleys' new video.

In addition to R. Kelly's contribution to 11 of the album's 12 songs, the record features guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Lil' Kim, songwriters/producers Tim and Bob (Sisqo's "Thong Song") and JS, an up-and-coming female vocal duo managed by Ronald Isley.

These guests help the Isleys create the infectious Urban beats pulsing at the heart of the record, while Ronald's voice evokes decades of history-making R&B. Snoop Dogg joins Ronald and Ernie on "I Like," a club-ready salute to the high-roller lifestyle. On "Superstar," the Isleys give the smooth melody and wah-wah guitar of their 1973 hit "That Lady (Part I)" a gritty, streetwise update that manages to retain all the soulful magic of the original.

"That Lady (Part 1)" is just one in a long line of hits penned and/or performed by the Isley Brothers since Ronald Isley became the group's lead singer in 1955. In addition to releasing more than two dozen Gold, Platinum and Multiplatinum records of their own, the Isleys have influenced or jump started the careers of countless other artists. Their music has been sampled by hip hop stars including The Notorious B.I.G., Ice Cube, Public Enemy and more. Their touring bands have introduced the world to Jimi Hendrix and Elton John, and Ronald Isley has long been an sought-after creative partner, tapped as a collaborator by a broad range of artists including Quincy Jones and Nas.

The Isleys' prodigious influence on the R&B world was evidenced by the 2001 DreamWorks release of 'Eternal,' featuring collaborations with Jill Scott, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Raphael Saadiq and more. The New York Times said of the album, "Eternal is that rare thing: an album that renders generational divides irrelevant," a statement equally applicable to 'Body Kiss' and the Isleys' entire body of work.

The Isley Brothers first tasted success with 1959's million-selling "Shout," followed three years later by the Top 20 hit "Twist and Shout," both iconic songs in the annals of American pop music. "It's Your Thing" cemented their fame in 1969, topping the R&B charts and ascending to #2 on the Top 40. The incredible streak continued through the 1970s, including the 1976 album 'Harvest for the World,' which sold 500,000 copies in three days, an historic feat by 1976 standards.

->damn I know that this is gonna be slammin... To bad he does not still have Angela Wimbush on his arms...

Let's hope he didn't include anything about underage girls meant for his own personal use

I mentioned this Coming out on the Best of R.Kelly Thread.JS is the Girl Group that Ronald Isley is Behind&He is also Messing with one of the Girls.also R.Kelly has already done there Album as well.don't know when there Album will drop though.

Can't wait, bound to be amazing material when it's such a definite artistic statement for both The Isleys and R. You have to imagine the the one non-R. Kelly track is tight as hell too if they're going to break the almost total uniformity in the structure for it...

Essence said:

From a Cool Source the Albums are Tight!! the Word is on the Street that R.Kelly under Pressure truly Brought the Goods.

I think its going 2 bomb, remember when Angela Winbush used to produce/arrange/compose WHOLE LPs 4 them?? They were HOT but criticaly?? They bombed!

I hope not tho!

Harlepolis said:

"What would U Do" is already blowing up.off to a Solid Start.

Me no likey. I am truly scurred. I could tolerate Arruh on a few tracks on an Isley album. But a whole LP?!?! I guess it was bound to happen, but I truly ain't looking forward to it.

mistermaxxx said:

No baby I meant that it may FLOP like the Angela Winbush-produced LPs did.

chickengrease said:

Da King of Modern R&B is Handling it&it's gonna be tight.R.Kelly&The Isley Brothers are a Match Made IMHO.

Harlepolis said:

if you have Followed R.Kelly's track record like myself then you have Noticed Bro Man doesn't Flop much in whatever He does.the Cat is Prolific&Productive.Very Successful Cat.

I wish that Kelly would just leave these groove masters alone!!! They didn't need him to become the legends that they are; he practically "borrows" from their catalogue at will, anyway.! I also don't like this character/image Kelly's got for them with this Mr. Big shit! It seems like that's the reason why they're selling anything because of selling the dumbass pimp image to the kids these days! Such a shame, too. They don't need that shit now; never did. Damn! I could stand to hear "Tears" right about now!!

Now, before y'all start claiming I'm R Kelly bashing, DON'T!!! I'm not. Just tired of this new image coming from some overrated (though still quite talented) thug who isn't, and may never be, on the same level as the legendary Isleys!!!

alexnvrmnd said:

You Need to Shake the R.Kelly Flakes out of your Head! R.Kelly Brought them back period.I mean lets be real: 10 years ago Ronald Isley was Upset with Boss Sampling there Stuff&talking Mess.they weren't getting any Play.give it up for R.Kelly for taking the Heads Up to bring them back.who doesn't take from others??if you aren't a Fan than Why bash R.Kelly? FYI Ronald Isley thinks quite Highly of R.Kelly.if the Music Relationship wasn't working they wouldn't come to Him but they did.also I know how Ronald Isley Operates&He didn't bound with many of the Current Writers&Producers.it takes two to tangle&R.Kelly is DA KING OF MODERN DAY R&B&Don't Forget.HATERS SHAKE THE FLAKES!!!

"R.KELLY is the king of modern-day R&B"

That's about as absurd as Whitney calling her loser-husband the King of R&B...lol...

alexnvrmnd said:

"Mr Biggs" thing aside name another name of the golden era of 70s soul who is still around to achieve any modern day success? The Isleys would be on the nostalgia circuit with a cheap four piece band in little working mens clubs right now if it wasn't for the injection R gave, I'm sure they're eternally thankful...

I should as well reserve judgement on this album until I actually hear it..

I am getting tired, though, of R. "18 & UNDER" Kelly putting his pawprints all over the Isley Brothers' (what's left of them) music.

I'm sorry-
did the Isleys NOT have a career before R."17 will get you 20" Kelly bumped & grinded his way onto the scene???

Don't misunderstand me-
I too thought the "Mr. Biggs/young R.Kelly playa character" drama was cool, even funny..
I thought this the FIRST 100 TIMES THEY DID IT..
after that, however, it started to.. GRATE on (what's left of) my nerves..


I thought Ronald Isley was married to ANGELA "your smile" WINBUSH..
NOT R "you remind me of my jeep because you've only been around about 12 years & I can tell your young, naive, starstruck ass anything & not only will you let me ride but you'll let me make a video of it too" Kelly..

oh, WAIT.
Kelly CAN'T be married to Ronald!
Not only is he obviously the wrong gender for Kelly..
"Mr. Biggs" is about SIXTY YEARS TOO OLD.


BUT, I digress..

I did like about half of "Eternal", the last "Isley Brothers" joint..
I ESPECIALLY liked "Move Your Body".. in large part because it was the ONLY "UP-TEMPO" song on the cd!!!
HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN?
WAS THIS R."well, I do get more 'just-ripening booty' from slow jams" KELLY'S IDEA???
in fact, the songs I like most from this album are the ones that Raphael Saadiq (sp) is involved with..

mltijchr said:

Ronald is divorced from Angela now so if he and R do want to get married it's possible now.

R only had one song on Eternal, the megahit classic "Contagious" so he shouldn't be mentioned as regards of any of the rest of the album.

The Isleys will always have their classic golden era, but R has made it possible for them to have a fresh career, nobody says fans of the past stuff have to come along for the ride. Things change...

LOL I knew there was something wrong when Angela Winbush didn't write a song 4 "Eternal" I know she produced/played/sang back-up in "Warm Summer Night" but I longed 2 hear her NEW sound in the Eternal LP.

I tell ya,,that was disapointing when she didn't show up in the damn thang!

RONALD & ANGELA ARE DIVORCED???

WHEN THE HELL did THIS happen???


Further:

HOW the hell did this happen?

Angela is a FINE piece of woman, & she's like, what

TWENTY YEARS YOUNGER

than "Mista Biggs"???

WHAT THE HELL WAS "RONNIE" thinking to let her go???

or did SHE dump him???


Either way, "Mr. Biggs" would do
WELL
to pick up R.Kelly's.. um..
"underage tendencies"...

mltijchr said:

"Mr Biggs" is too pimpish to be married and Maxxx says he's rolling with a girl from a new girlgroup he's put together now. So while Angela was twenty years younger, this new girl is probably forty years younger...

mltijchr said:

Baby you should've said alot mo' about Mr.Biggs

Alot of things happend between and after that messy divorce. Its been rumored alot that she has been physicaly abused by him just like what happend between her and Rene, she's now writing a book about what will women face if they got linked 2 a high profile figure and the MOST IMPORTANT thang is she's in the making of her comeback LP. I can't WAAIIIT!

Damn!


Thanks for the info, Harlepolis..

I'm sorry to hear that it was like that, with all the violence & craziness & whatever..

I shouldn't even try to connect this supposed Biggs-to-Winbush violence to R."nothing could be finer than to be with a minor" Kelly..
but I can't help but wonder..

if I even hear of Ronald getting with some 18 year old..

THAT will definitely be as a result of hangin' with "BumpNGrind"..

mltijchr said:

You're welcome

It happend early last year, I tell ya that was a shocking thang 4 real, its a damn shame cuz them couples used 2 look very good 2ghether and 15 years ain't exactly a short time 4 a high profile married couple.

Such a damn shame!

DavidEye said:

if Bobby wasn't such a Crack-Head hadn't allowed His Brother To Run his Career&Stayed Clean She wouldn't be that far off.Hell when you think about R.Kelly,Sisqo,Usher,Ginuwine,&Other Cats you can't tell me that Bobby Brown didn't have any Impact? Bobby was Badd for a Minute but He allowed other things mess His Groove up.He was the Cat that Brought R&B Song&Dance Soul with His Brand of Slow-Jams back in 88 IMHO. R.Kelly is a bad Cat Period Musically no matter what you think He has the Musical Goods Period.
[This message was edited Fri Apr 4 13:28:15 PST 2003 by mistermaxxx]

chickengrease said:

same here, man...same here.


arrah

Essence said:

Thank You.it's not bad to Be Touring but if you want to Have Hits&a Modern Day Career how many Younger Acts are reaching back&truly bringing Yesteryear's Artist that Spotlight? you gotta tip your hat to R.Kelly.

Harlepolis said:

He got Angela on the Rebound&Ran with it.but from what I Heard in even more detail Ronald Isley has let the "Mr Biggs" Personna go straight to His Head.I think the Isley Brothers are Great&with a Cat like R.Kelly Unstoppable still.if you watch the B2k Video for "Girlfriend" where Ronald is throwing His Weight around I Heard that Art is truly Imitating Life.

mistermaxxx said:

I love the ol' man but if he kept acting like a pimp Joe he will lose respect 4 alot of his fans. Aren't you old enough to be acting like some superfly?? Goddamn old man, just settle already, you have grand kids 4 god's sake

Harlepolis said:

if you know the Hustle Pimps Never stop Pimping&you are never to old to Be out there Pimping.Clive Davis still Pimps&He is in His 70's now same with Hugh Hefner&don't thank they ain't Pimped Slapped Folks.still Pimping!

mistermaxxx said:

Those are REAL PIMPS they just don't put the pimp act. Ron wouldn't put this pimp act if Robert didn't back him up lol tell you the truth? I have this feeling that it was all made up by R himself.Anyway,,,!

Off topic, how old is Miss Winbush and did she have any kids from him?