''Tracks of Life'' is an album by the American musical group

the Isley Brothers The Isley Brothers ( ) are an American soul group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that began as a vocal trio consisting of the brothers O'Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley in the 1950s. With a career spanning over seven decades, ...

, released in 1992. The group was made up of

Ernie Isley Ernest Isley (born March 7, 1952) is an American musician best known as a member of the musical ensemble The Isley Brothers, and also the splinter group Isley-Jasper-Isley. Biography Ernie was born in Cincinnati, where his older brothers formed ...

and

Marvin Isley Marvin Isley (August 18, 1953 – June 6, 2010)
– accessed June 2010 was an American musician best known as the young ...

backing up brother

Ronald Ronald is a masculine given name derived from the Old Norse ''Rögnvaldr'',#H2, Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 234; #H1, Hanks; Hodges (2003) § Ronald. or possibly from Old English ''Regenweald''. In some cases ''Ronald'' is an Anglicised ...

. The album peaked at No. 140 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and No. 19 on the

Top R&B Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a music chart published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks R&B and hip-hop albums based on sales in the United States and is compiled by Luminate. The chart debuted as Hot R&B LPs in the issue dated January 30, ...

chart. "Sensitive Lover" was released as a single.

Production

The album was produced by

Angela Winbush Angela Lisa Winbush (born January 18, 1955) is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter, musician and record producer who rose to fame first in the 1980s R&B duo René & Angela, also scoring hits as a solo artist. To date, Winbush has sold over ...

and

Ronald Isley Ronald Isley ( ; born May 21, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Isley is the lead singer and founding member of the family music group The Isley Brothers. Early life Born in 1941 to Sallye Bernice (née Bell) and O ...

. The pair used synthesizers and keyboard bass on many tracks.

Critical reception

The Indianapolis Star } ''The Indianapolis Star'' (also known as ''IndyStar'') is a morning daily newspaper that began publishing on June 6, 1903, in Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It has been the only major daily paper in the city since 1999, whe ...

'' wrote that "the accent is on ballads, with 'Morning Love' and the dreamy 'Sensitive Lover' among the best." ''

USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...

'' noted that "Ernie's fret work is as sensual as Ronald's purring falsetto." The ''

Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is an American daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1847, it was formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper", a slogan from which its once integrated WGN (AM), WGN radio and ...

'' determined that some of the tracks "are as achingly beautiful as anything the band recorded during its heyday in the late '70s." The ''

Boston Herald The ''Boston Herald'' is an American conservative daily newspaper whose primary market is Boston, Massachusetts, and its surrounding area. It was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States. It has been awarde ...

'' deemed the album "seldom more than a seductive display of professionalism."

Track listing

All tracks composed by

and Ronald Isley; except where indicated #"Get My Licks In" (Angela Winbush, Ernie Isley, Ronald Isley) – 4:17 #"No Axe to Grind" (Angela Winbush, Ernie Isley, Ronald Isley) – 5:13 #"Searching for a Miracle" – 4:57 #"Sensitive Lover" – 6:01 #"Bedroom Eyes" (Angela Winbush,

Leon Ware Leon Ware (February 16, 1940 – February 23, 2017) was an American songwriter, producer, composer, and singer. Besides a solo career as a performer, Ware was best known for producing hits for other artists including Michael Jackson, Quincy ...

, Ronald Isley) – 5:36 #"Lost In Your Love" (

Gene McFadden Gene McFadden (January 28, 1949 – January 27, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was one of the key members of the Philadelphia International record label, and was one-half of the successful team of McFadden & Wh ...

, James McKinney, Ronald Isley) – 6:29 #"Whatever Turns You On" – 5:14 #"Morning Love" – 5:26 #"Dedicate This Song" – 5:26 #"Red Hot" – 6:24 #"Koolin' Out" (Roman Johnson, Sekou Bunch) – 4:39 #"Brazilian Wedding Song (Setembro)" (Angela Winbush, Gilson Peranzzetta,

Ivan Lins Ivan Guimarães Lins (born 16 June 1945) is a Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian musician. He has been an active performer and songwriter of Brazilian popular music (MPB) and jazz for over fifty years. His first hit, "Madalena", was recorded by ...

) – 3:48 #"I'll Be There 4 U" (Angela Winbush, Ernie Isley, Ronald Isley) – 5:19 #"Turn on the Demon" (Angela Winbush, Ernie Isley, Ronald Isley) – 5:31

Personnel

- Lead and background vocals *

- Guitars, drum and synth programming, percussion and background vocals *

Marvin Isley Marvin Isley (August 18, 1953 – June 6, 2010)
– accessed June 2010 was an American musician best known as the young ...

- Bass guitars and background vocals *

- Keyboards, synthesizer/synth programming and background vocals *Eugene Stashuk, Roman Johnson - bass synths *Sekou Bunch - bass guitar

References

{{Authority control The Isley Brothers albums 1992 albums Warner Records albums Albums produced by Angela Winbush