Two legendary musical forces are teaming up this summer to celebrate the eternal Power of Peace during the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. On August 4, The Isley Brothers and Santana will join forces for their first full-length collaboration. Power of Peace arrives on that date from Legacy Recordings, featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley joined by Carlos and Cindy Blackman Santana tackling a number of classic rock and R&B standards which have inspired them over the years.
This all-new studio album features Ronald Isley on lead vocals, Ernie Isley on rhythm guitar, Carlos Santana (who also produced) on lead and rhythm guitars, percussion, and background vocals, and Cindy Blackman Santana on drums. Keeping it in the family, they're joined by Ron's wife Kandy Johnson Isley and Ernie's wife Tracy Isley on background vocals. This soulful group has tackled such familiar classics as Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" (produced and arranged by Cindy), Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "What the World Needs Now," The Chambers Brothers' "Are You Ready" and "Love, Peace, Happiness," Curtis Mayfield's "Gypsy Woman," Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child," Marvin Gaye's "Mercy, Mercy, Me," and more. One new song - Cindy's "I Remember" - also premieres on the album.
Commenting in the press release, Carlos Santana says, "I feel a deep sense of gratitude, appreciation, and thankfulness. There is a spirit of creativity that came knocking and presented itself as a golden opportunity to do something with and for a supreme musician, who I consider to be the best in the world. Brother Ronnie Isley has been in the center of collective unity and harmony on the radio around the world since 1962 with 'Twist and Shout,' the song that the Beatles chose to invade America with. Like Michael Jackson, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, he's an iconic supreme of the highest order. Cindy and I feel very blessed to offer him this gift. From God, through us to you, for the world...Mr. Ronnie Isley." Ron Isley adds, ""It was an absolute joy working on this album with Carlos. I hope this record carries the spirit of hope, love, and peace to the world that it brought to me, my brother and Carlos," while Ernie notes, "Doing this project with Carlos Santana was fun and illuminating. I hope all music lovers enjoy what we have done."
Power of Peace arrives on CD, LP, and digital platforms from Legacy Recordings on August 4. It can be pre-ordered at the links below! Don't forget that The Isley Brothers' Groove with You...Live!, featuring Ron and Ernie Isley, is still available on CD from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music!
The Isley Brothers and Santana, Power of Peace (Legacy, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
- Are You Ready
- Total Destruction to Your Mind
- Higher Ground
- God Bless the Child
- I Remember
- Body Talk
- Gypsy Woman
- I Just Want to Make Love to You
- Love, Peace, Happiness
- What the World Needs Now is Love
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
- Let the Rain Fall on Me
- Let There Be Peace on Earth
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