Archive for the ‘smooth sailin’’ Category


By 1987,  The Isley Brothers were now a Duo, Comprising of  Ronald and Rudolph Isley,  following the Death of  O’Kelly Isley the Previous Year!

The two younger Brothers and a Cousin had formed Isley Jasper Isley, 3 years previous! 

The Album Release on Warners was called “Smooth Sailin’ and it was Co-Produced by Ronald and his new collaborator/Friend Angela Winbush, one Half of the Rene and Angela  Duo. These had made their last Album Together about 2 Years Previous, called “Street Called Desire” but a couple of Singles were released in 1986.

Ronald Isley went on to Manage Angela Winbush and Helped Her in  the same Year to Release her own Album Called “Sharp”, Depending where you read, I have also Read that She Managed him, so perhaps it was a Mutual Thing, whatever it was, by 1993 they were Married, He was 13 Years Her Senior!  
The Album reached Numbers 64 and 5 in US Pop and US R&B Charts!

It also contained 3 Single Releases, (R&B Chart Placings in Brackets)
Come My Way (71)
I Wish (74)

The Album Featured some Great Musicians including:
Percussion…Paulinho Da Costa
Keyboards.. Angela Winbush
Guitar.. Tony Maiden

1989 saw the Release of “Spend The Night” also on Warners Record Label.

This was the Last Album to Feature Rudolph and Ronald Together Officially, Rudolph only Worked on 2 of the Tracks, and was not even on the Album Cover, it was Basically Recognised by the Music Business as a Solo Ronald Isley Album!

By this Time Angela Winbush was Ronalds Girlfriend and She Played a Big Part in this Album, she Wrote Arranged and Composed all of the Tracks on the Album, although it was Produced by Both of Them!

The Album also Featured “Kool Moe Dee” Rapping on the Track “Come Together”

Charts Positions were as follows: US Pop Number 89 and US R&B Number 4.

It also contained 3 High US R&B Chart Placings for the following Singles: