Masterpiece is the 23rd album released by the Isley Brothers on Warner Bros. Records on April 29, 1985. For the first time since 1973, the Isley Brothers were a trio composed of the original members O'Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald Isley. It was the last album with O'Kelly Isley; he died a year after the album's release from a heart attack.A Touch of Classic Soul 2: The Late 1970s Marc Taylor - 2001 - Page 173
They got off to a good start with "Colder Are My Nights" reaching number 12 on the R&B charts. The brothers followed with "May I?", a pleading love song that was mildly successful in the spring of 1986. However, any joy from the album was negated when Kelly Isley died of a heart attack on March 31, 1986 at age 48. The album is dedicated to their late brother Vernon Isley and their parents Sally & O'Kelly Isley Sr. The album liner notes were written by Elaine Isley.
Track listing
Personnel
The Isley Brothers Ronald Isley – lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm arrangements O'Kelly Isley, Jr. – harmony and backing vocals, lead vocals (3), rhythm arrangements Rudolph Isley – harmony and backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
Musicians Robbie Buchanan – keyboards Randy Kerber – acoustic piano Dann Huff – guitars Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars David T. Walker – guitars Neil Stubenhaus – bass Freddie Washington – bass Ed Greene – drums John Robinson – drums Paulinho da Costa – percussion Ernie Watts – saxophone, sax interlude (9) Bill Green – horns (saxophones, woodwinds) Gary Herbig – horns (saxophones, woodwinds) Plas Johnson – horns (saxophones, woodwinds) George Bohanon – horns (trombone) Dick Hyde – horns (trombone) Chuck Findley – horns (trumpet, flugelhorn) Gary Grant – horns (trumpet, flugelhorn) Jerry Hey – horns (trumpet, flugelhorn), horn arrangements (6) Gene Page – arrangements and conductor Harry Bluestone – concertmaster
Production The Isley Brothers – executive producers, producers, mixing Michael Mancini – engineer Russell Schmidt – additional engineer Bill Spungin – additional engineer Dean Burt – assistant engineer Joe Travers – assistant engineer Brian Gardner – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California) Elaine Jasper Isley – project coordinator, liner notes Jeri McManus – art direction Mary Ann Dibs – design George Holz – photography
Chart performance The album charted at #140 in the US Billboard 200 while only charting at #19 on the R&B album chart. "Colder Are My Nights" peaked at #12 on the R&B charts, while "May I?" charted at #42 in 1986.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1985) Peak position
Year-end charts Chart (1986) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 43
References
External links The Isley Brothers - Masterpiece (1985) album releases & credits at Discogs The Isley Brothers - Masterpiece (1985) album credits & user reviews