Music review: The Isley Brothers and Santana – 鈥楶ower of Peace鈥�
You know something magical is about to happen when two music icons join forces to give the world more of what it really needs during these times of confusion, aggression and manipulation.
鈥淧ower of Peace鈥� delivers 13 tracks of universal love and togetherness wrapped in a smooth flavoring of soul, funk and R&B.
Ronald Isley and Carlos Santana continue their collaboration heard on Santana鈥檚 2016 release that featured Isley on two of the 16 arrangements and reunited the original Santana lineup from the band鈥檚 third album.
Driven by Santana鈥檚 impassioned guitar work and Isley鈥檚 soulful vocals, the new release features impeccable reinterpretations of classic songs that continue to move and inspire.
The album opens as a pulsating tribal beat ushers in an infectious vibe with the assistance of fiery guitar licks flaming the passion of the Chambers Brothers鈥� 鈥淎re You Ready.鈥�
Swamp Dogg鈥檚 鈥淭otal Destruction to Your Mind鈥� follows in rousing fashion as the band heats up on this version that would fit perfectly at a church revival by declaring love is what it is all about.
Blues and rock collide to produce a spirited cover of Willie Dixon鈥檚 鈥淚 Just Want to Make Love to You.鈥� This 1954 blues classic has been covered by legends Muddy Waters and Etta James, but classic rock fans my age will certainly remember the song from Foghat鈥檚 1972 self-titled debut. But I digress.
For me, the standout track has to be Isley鈥檚 rendition of Marvin Gaye鈥檚 鈥淢ercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).鈥� Originally appearing on Gaye鈥檚 1971 album 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Going On,鈥� the song鈥檚 message seems even more poignant today than ever.
Other highlights include a muscular version of Stevie Wonder鈥檚 鈥淗igher Ground,鈥� the Burt Bacharach and Hal David tender piano ballad 鈥淲hat the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love鈥� and a gorgeous offering of Billie Holiday鈥檚 鈥淕od Bless the Child.鈥�
鈥淚 Remember鈥� is the only original track and features Cindy Blackman Santana on lead vocals with Isley adding his glorious R&B touch to the dreamy love ballad.
The set comes to a memorable close with 鈥淟et There Be Peace on Earth.鈥�
The moving number serves as a gentle reminder that each of us has a responsibility to spread messages of peace and love in order to make the world a better place for all of us.