Mission To Please

Talk about staying power. The Isley Brothers have been at it since the early \'50s -and are still going strong. And they\'ve always found ways to stay vital, even score a few hits. On this 1996 album, the Isleys recruited a trio of young bucks they inspired-Babyface, Keith Sweat, and R. Kelly-to lend them a hand in the studio. The result is an ace combination of the Isleys\' old school sweetness and new-jack balladry, a fusion that raises the temperature in the room and lets fly a few sparks too. Key tracks: \"Let\'s Lay Together,\" \"Mission to Please You\"

On their second album of the '90s, the Isley Brothers capitalize on the smooth love ballads epitomized by crooners like Babyface, Keith Sweat, and R. Kelly. Since all three of those artists were influenced by the Isleys' classic '70s records, they were willing to come on board to produce and co-write Mission to Please. The new blood reinvigorates the Isleys, and the album is one of their strongest efforts of the latter part of their career. Mission to Please is devoted to the group's sensual side -- it's all ballads, no funk. And that's not a bad thing at all. Ronald still has a smoldering, seductive voice and Ernie is such a gifted, sympathetic guitarist that he can pull magic out of pedestrian material. Thankfully, he doesn't need to prove the truth in that statement on Mission to Please. The majority of the songs on the album are first-rate '90s contemporary R&B, and those that aren't quite as strong make for pleasing filler.