The Isley Brothers will delve a bit deeper into
Hip-Hop music and have enlisted some of the stars of the genre to help produce
a remix album of 10 of their classic songs.
Mos Def, will.i.am, Ahmir "?uest Love"
Thompson, De La Soul Raphael Saadiq and others contribute to the disc, titled
The Isley Brothers – Taken To The Next Phase (Reconstructions).
The album pays homage to the Isley’s appeal to
several generations of music lovers Such classic songs as "Harvest for
the World," "Summer Breeze," "That Lady (Part 1 & 2)"
and seven other popular songs get the remix treatment.
The Isley Brothers started their magnificent
career in 1956, when they released "The Angels Cried" b/w "The
Cow Jumped Over The Moon," on Teenage Records, owned by another doo-wop
singer, Bill Gordon.
The group recorded a string of lukewarm singles
for various labels owned by legendary figure George Goldner, until 1961’s massive
hit "Shout," which was recorded for RCA.
The Isley’s would step into pop music history
when they recorded "Twist and Shout," which has been covered by numerous
acts, including The Beatles.
As entrepreneurs, they launched their T-Neck record
label in 1964 and recorded "Testify Part 1 & 2" that featured
a young, yet-to-be famous Jimi Hendrix on guitar.
After a switch to Berry Gordy’s Tamla Record
label, they enjoyed several massive hits that are still played today, including
"I Guess I’ll Always Love You" and "This Old Heart Of Mine."
In 1999, the brothers inked a deal with The Pullman
Group and sold future royalty earnings for an eight figure check, while still
retaining ownership of their music.
Ronald Isley re-introduced himself to a new audience,
via his collaborations with R. Kelly where he took the moniker "Mr. Biggs."
The Isley Brothers – Taken To The Next Phase
(Reconstructions) hits stores next month.
