Smooth Sailin' is an album by the American musical group the Isley Brothers, released in 1987 on Warner Bros. Records. It was the first album that the group released as a duo of Rudolph and Ronald after the untimely death of eldest brother O'Kelly, who died in 1986 due to occlusive coronary artery disease. Hooking up with R&B singer-songwriter Angela Winbush, the Isleys scored with the top 10 R&B title track and "I Wish", also an R&B top 40 hit.
Critical reception
The Los Angeles Times wrote that the album is close "to the old Isley style-slow, sensuous R&B."
Track listing
Personnel The Isley Brothers Ronald Isley – lead & background vocals Rudolph Isley – lead & background vocals
with Tony Maiden – guitar (tracks 1–6) Angela Winbush – keyboards (tracks 2–8), Moog synthesizer (track 7); bass synthesizer (tracks 1, 2), drum machine (track 5), additional background vocals (tracks 2, 3, 7) Jeff Lorber – additional synthesizers (tracks 1, 3–6) Raymond Reeder – synthesizer (tracks 7); string line guitar synthesizer & drum machine (track 8) Nathan East – bass (tracks 1, 3–6) Louis Johnson – bass (track 2) Gregory Phillinganes – bass synthesizer (track 2) Rayford Griffin – drums (tracks 1, 2, 6) Andre Fischer – drums (tracks 4, 7) Paulinho da Costa – percussion (tracks 1–3, 5)
Technical personnel & arrangements Produced by Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley & Angela Winbush Recorded & mixed by Steve Sykes Additional engineer (Conway Studios): Czaba Petocz Assistant engineer (Ocean Way Recording): Bob Loftus, Joe Schiff, Mike Ross Assistant engineer (Westlake Studios): Debbie Johnson Mastered by Brian Gardner Art direction & design by Janet Levinson Photography by Jeff Katz
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1987) Peak position
Year-end charts Chart (1987) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 39
References
External links The Isley Brothers - Smooth Sailin' (1987) album releases & credits at Discogs