Love Songs in Bloomington, MN

It's hard to believe that
Ronnie Isley
collaborated with
Dr. Dre
and the departed
Tupac Shakur
on some of the late 20th century's most hardcore hip-hop music.
Isley
, of the renowned group
the Isley Brothers
, has his roots firmly placed in '70s R&B and soul music.
D'Angelo
,
Maxwell
, and
R. Kelly
, among other bedroom music artists, all owe a bit of thanks to
, the original slow jam crooners. The trio's sexiest and most sensual moments have been captured on
Love Songs
, an ongoing series of CD collections of the same name on
Columbia Legacy
and
Epic Legacy Records
. (Other
sets for 2001 include recordings from
Frank Sinatra
Patti LaBelle
Aretha Franklin
Duke Ellington
.) And as far as thematic compilations go, this one is a winner. The 13 selected tracks on
don't skip a beat, and the sexy boudoir fare remains consistent throughout the album's 70-plus minutes. There is a certain sensitivity inherent to
's falsetto voice that sets him apart from other singers in this category of music. It's a vulnerability and tenderness that
Barry White
, and others of the like, do not have. Such
Isley Brothers
greats as
"For the Love of You,"
"Voyage to Atlantis,"
"Sensuality,"
"Between the Sheets"
are included on
. The CD is a treasured example of the original bedroom music, and arguably more potent than its contemporary counterparts. No amount of pheromones, love potions, or "spells" can come close to the romantic rendezvous that is
'
. Play this album at your own risk -- and expect to call in "sick" to the office the next day. [
Sbme Special Mkts
reissued the album in 2008 with three bonus tracks.] ~ Liana Jonas