The Isley Brothers are starting the Spring season with a new song just after an epic appearance Easter Sunday during their Verzuz battle with Earth, Wind & Fire. “Family And Friends” features Ron Isley and Snoop Dogg and the video has a bunch of cameos from Lisa Raye McCoy, Sherri Shepherd, Kym Whitley and Slyeena Johnson. The R&B legends have been creating summer vibes for six decades and now they have a current anthem for 2021. Ron Isley had several online admirers commenting on his new bearded look during the four-hour mini-concert for Verzuz. There is no official announcement for a new album but he was photographed in the studio with Marsha Ambrosius and Dr. Dre. 

Ernie Isley wrote “Fight The Power (Part 1 and 2)” in response to what he was seeing on the news. In 1975 America was dealing with the Watergate scandal and the ending of the Vietnam war. The message and strong funk grooves won over their fans and became one of The Isley Brothers’ many classic hits. The influence of Jimi Hendrix, who use to play with the band, was also at work. Ron Isley’s vocals were unusual for the time because of his use of the word “bullshit” to describe how people were feeling about the political situation in the country. “Fight The Power” did well commercially speaking and was one of the reasons The Heat Is On became their first number one album. Their 13th studio recording was one of the biggest albums of the year  and their career.  [youtube id=”8QZvoOqUkqw”]

[youtube id=”M-uqxiE_qYc”]The Isley Brothers were in their second decade when the Showdown album was released in 1978. They had moved away from their gospel and doo-wop-influenced style of the ’60s and invented their brand of smoothed out funk.  “Groove With You” was a Quiet Storm radio essential and contributed to them landing another platinum certification and the no.1 spot on the Soul Albums chart. Ron Isley’s vocal charisma was already an institution by the time of Showdown and “Groove With You” expanded on the snug connection to their audience. In the 41 years since its release rappers have sampled “Groove With You” three dozen times and endless couples have identified it as the backdrop to important moments in their relationships. The band had another hit song among their lengthy discography. The Isley Brothers released their 31st studio album, Power Of Peace, which was a collaboration with Santana, in 2017. 

Television viewers are receiving a history lesson right now with BET’s American Soul series about Don Cornelius’ Soul Train music and dance program that ran from 1971 to 2008. One day after the series premiered on BET, the lineup for the 2020 Soul Train Cruise is announced.  A list of soul stars who have appeared on Soul Train through the decades will entertain the attendees. The Jacksons, The Isley Brothers, Johnny Gill, War, Peabo Bryson, Cameo, Regina Belle, host Tony Cornelius and the original Soul Train dancers will take part in the moves, fashion and music that has influenced pop culture for decades. 

The Soul Train Cruise will have over 50 live performances and more than 25 celebrity interactive events. There will also be live interviews, dance classes with the original Soul Train dancers, cocktail receptions, a Gospel hour, costume parties, Q&A sessions, wine-tasting and more. 

The cruise will take place on luxurious Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam ship and the cabin prices start at $1,900 per person. Tickets and more details about the cruise can be found at SoulTrainCruise.com.