Masterpiece (Isley Brothers album)

Masterpiece is the 23rd album released by The Isley Brothers on Warner Bros. Records on April 29, 1985. For the first time since 1973, the Isley Brothers were a trio composed of the original members O'Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald Isley. It was the last album with O'Kelly Isley; he died a year after the album's release from a heart attack. The fall of 1985 also saw the elder Isleys release Masterpiece. The album is dedicated to their late brother Vernon Isley and their parents Sally & O'Kelly Isley Sr. The album liner notes were written by Elaine Isley.

Personnel

 * The Isley Brothers
 * Ronald Isley – lead vocals; harmony vocals on "If Leaving Me Is Easy"
 * O'Kelly Isley, Jr. – harmony and background vocals; lead vocals on "If Leaving Me Is Easy"
 * Rudolph Isley – harmony and background vocals


 * with
 * Paul Jackson Jr., Dann Huff, David T. Walker – guitar
 * Robbie Buchanan – keyboards
 * Randy Kerber – acoustic piano
 * Ernie Watts, Gary Herbig – saxophone
 * Neil Stubenhaus, Freddie Washington – bass guitar
 * John Robinson, Ed Greene – drums
 * Paulinho da Costa – percussion
 * Bill Green, Gary Herbig – flute
 * Plas Johnson – tenor saxophone
 * Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Bill Green – trumpet
 * George Bohanon, Slyde Hyde – trombone
 * Jerry Hey – horn


 * Technical personnel & arrangements
 * Produced by The Isley Brothers (Ronald, Rudolph and O'Kelly Isley)
 * Arranger, conductor: Gene Page
 * Concertmaster: Harry Bluestone
 * Engineer: Michael Mancini
 * Additional engineers: Bill Spungin, Russell Schmidt
 * Assistant engineers: Dean Burt, Joe Travers
 * Mixed by The Isley Brothers
 * Mastered by Brian Gardner
 * Art direction by Jeri McManus
 * Photography by George Holz
 * Design by Mary Ann Dibs

Chart performance
The album charted at #140 in the US Billboard 200 while only charting at #19 on the R&B album chart. "Colder Are My Nights" peaked at #12 on the R&B charts, while "May I?" charted at #42 in 1986.