Smooth, soulful grown-folks' music... this is they thang!

With all the exposure the Isleys are gettin' for their sub-par music nowadays, I've almost forgotten how good this little gem from them was a few years back. This was really they last really excellent album; like excellent enough to be compared to their '70s classics. Here they tapped some modern producers to help them get the material vibin' well enough for the '90s, such as R. Kelly an' Keith Sweat, but didn't let the influence of these younger singers rub THEMSELVES in a different direction. Stickin' to what they do best, they gave us some smooth, soulful, smoldering seduction on this disc. From the opener 'Floatin' On Your Love' to the cool n' breezy 'Whenever You're Ready', this is jus' some pure, uninhibited good ol' fashioned romance. The R. Kelly-produced 'Let's Lay Together' is one'a the highlights of the album, as R. laid them down a nice, sensual backbeat an' backing vocals, an' then jus' sat back an' let the Isleys' do they thang. This song an' the eternally smooth 'Make Your Body Sing' as well as the relaxed groove of the half-sung, half-spoken word 'Let's Get Intimate' an' the Keith Sweat-produced closer 'Slow is the Way' are some'a the best pure R&B slow jams out there. An' thas' the God's honest truth.

But, the best track on the album to me comes in 'Tears'. This is one'a Ron's most heartfelt an' moving vocal an' lyrical performances, the kinda thing I'd like to hear him doin' more of. I'm tellin' y'all this is jus' a beautiful number an' is one'a those songs to listen to when you're down on love an' need sumpin' to help you smile through your own tears. They also do an almost definitive version of 'Holding Back the Years' an' they jus' straight man-handle the slinky n' seductive title track, another one that'll keep you an' your lover sinkin' into each other's arms long after the fireplace has gone out an' all the wine is gone.

This was when the Isleys was a real R&B group, not an institution headed by a cartoon character named Mr. Biggs; is' when they still had real music to give us. This is their best album from the latter part of their career, an' is a hundred times better than their two latest releases, 'Eternal' an' 'Body Kiss'; you can't even compare them really. If you are a fan'a their older classics, then you can't go wrong with 'Mission to Please'; trust me when I tell you that is' what you're lookin' for.

The Isleys Strike Back

It's no coincidence that 'Mission To Please' brought the Isleys back to prominence. Ronald was rejoined by Marvin and Ernie and with Angela Winbush contributing her voice and production talents to the album it couldn't fail (went platinum). The first 7 songs are pure soul. 'Let's Lay Together' is the killer slow jam on this cd while 'Floatin' On Your Love' is a duet by Ronald and Angela Winbush with Ernie firin' up the guitar. Also, the cover of 'Holding Back The Years' was surprisingly good. The last 3 songs I can do without. Ronald please drop the Mr. Biggs crap, don't let R.Kelly produce more than 3 songs an album, and Chris, Rudolph, and Marvin, come on back to the group.

This was Love At Its Best

For all the hits that the Isley's enjoyed over the years this was the most complete album I've ever heard from these Superstars. Just when you thought the sun had set on their careers Ronald was never better as this was the ultimate set it and forget it cd. From the smooth I'm Ready to Slow Is The Way,which sould have been made a single, the message was clear let's Get Intimate. The title track Mission To Please is a lover's National Anthem and Make Your Body Shake was just smooth listening. Sorry no dance track.....didn't need it.....Not special Guest.....didn't need it.....This was Ronald and Earnie at their best....nuff said.