What can you say about Ronald Isley that has not been said? In a career spanning over 60 years, he has done it all. Three years after his last album Mr. I, Mr. Biggs is back with This Song Is For You, a sensual collection that could serve as the prelude to any steamy evening. Lead by the sophisticated single "Dinner And A Movie," this album bounces and sways all over your ears. I appreciate that at this point in his lengthy career, Mr. Isley's music has evolved to make him come across as the rainmaker in the club instead of someone's old-head uncle.
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On title track "This Song Is For You" the lothario dedicates a song to a lover who wants to push aside stress, step on the dance floor and raise a glass. Mr. Isley recruits KEM for "My Favorite Thing" in a collaboration that needed to happen. Their hushed voices describe how their lady's love is their favorite thing with KEM spitting an unexpected rap that takes the song to the next level. I would say that this should happen more often, but I would be afraid that would only encourage others less worthy of breathing the same studio air as Isley. On songs like "The Boss" and "He Won't Ever Love You" we see the character of Mr. Biggs, the swaggering, wealthy savior of women from unhappy homes reemerge. Mr. Isley then presents a slightly different side of himself on the sultry lullaby "Bed Time." You know it's a Ronald Isley song when he starts the song by singing ad-libs like "Yeaaah" and "well, well well" or his unmistakeable "Hello, hello" and "la da da da" as he does on the track "Let's Be Alone."
The standout track is "Another Night" built around a sample of the Isley Brothers' classic "Between The Sheets." Many have tried to remake the standard, but the production on this joint invokes nostalgia and also brings the song into 2013. In his solo material, Ronald Isley doesn't collaborate often, but when he does, it's either with legends like Aretha Franklin and Burt Bacharach or with new generation class acts like R. Kelly and now Trey Songz. In a welcomed interlude, we hear a conversation between Trey and Ronald speaking about the music industry where Ron claims to have heard that Trey is "doing your thang out there." The following duet "Lay You Down," written by Songz himself, sees the two singers bridging the age gap while singing about taking their boos to bed.
The last track, "Make Love To Your Soul," features the most underutilized instrument in R&B -- the electric guitar. The Isley Brothers' consistent use of the sensual electric guitar (see "Voyage To Atlantis") set their music apart from the rest of their contemporaries and it's a welcome addition here to bring this project full circle.
This Song Is For You sees Ronald Isley making great music for his core audience and driving smoothly along in his lover man lane. He has a better grip on what his fans want to hear than most artists. Let's hope that he keeps making more music and solid albums like this for years to come.
Ronald Isley This Song Is For You [Amazon][iTunes]
