Soul Fixin'

a taste of chicago.
I guess I'm a day late and a dollar short when it comes to the music of BJ The Chicago Kid. I came across his videos on Vimeo and I'm quite impressed with the young cat from Chi-Town. According to his Vimeo page, he has worked with artists such as Mary Mary, Musiq Soulchild, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Usher, Mario, Mary J. Blige, and Jamie Foxx. An impressive array of artist, to say the least. Thanks to Google, I came across one of his mixtapes, A Taste Of Chicago. Click here to download A Taste of Chicago. In the meantime, check the videos below as BJ takes on classics from the likes of The Isley Brothers & Marvin Gaye.

Video Soul

"we've been kickin' it for quite some time
lots of private parties, where we're wined and dined
tonight I'm in a different mood, just wanna get close to you"

Soul Tracks

The Isley Brothers are responsible for crafting the sexiest and most seductive songs of the R&B era. The music of the Isley Brothers can convert any and every female into a sex goddess. Many of us were conceived while songs such as 'Make Me Say It Again Girl,' 'Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love),' 'Between The Sheets'--to name a few, played in the background. If you were born in '73, 'Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight' may have slid through the speakers and set the mood. 'Don't Let Me Lonely Tonight', written and originally recorded by singer/songwriter James Taylor, was recorded for the 1973 release 3+3. The album marked a turning point for the group, the Isleys became a sextet as cousin Chris Jasper and brothers Ernie and Marvin joined the group. As a testament to interpretative genius of the Isley Brothers, the group transformed 'Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight' into a captivating and sensual soul masterpiece.

Under The Covers

A verse within the song " For The Love Of You Pts. 1 & 2" describes the soulful ballad perfectly, "smoother than a gentle breeze/flowin' through my mind with ease/soft as can be..." The smooth sensual vocals of Ronald Isley make it a bedroom classic. "Day will make a way for night/All we'll need is candlelight/And a song/ Soft and long..." What better song to have than "For The Love Of You"? The song, originally a poem, was written by Rudolph Isley for his wife Elaine. Rudolph gave the song to his brothers who re-wrote the entire song. The original recording of the song was accidentally erased forcing Ronald Isley to record a second version. A Top Ten R&B hit, the song was included on the 1975 release The Heat Is On, the group's first No. 1 pop album. Joss Stone's debut album The Soul Sessions, a bevy of cover versions of 60's and 70's soul songs, included an amazing reading of "For The Love Of You.." Produced by soul legend Betty Wright, The Soul Sessions included soul musicians Benny Lattimore, Timmy Thomas, Little Beaver and The Roots. Stone transforms "For The Love Of You..." into a slow burning 7 minute epic, reminiscent of Isaac Hayes' take on "Walk On By."

Video Soul

Ronald Isley sings the Curtis Mayfield classic "The Makings of You" for Aretha Franklin.

Unfortunately, Ronald Isley is currently serving time in prison. His projected release date is 4/13/2010. Feel free to drop him a line:

RONALD ISLEY 31215-112
FCI TERRE HAUTE
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 33TERRE HAUTE, IN 47808

Soul Fixin'

Mr. Biggs Is Really Locked Up!!!!

I was well aware that Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs was convicted of tax evasion but I had no idea he was locked up!!! I assumed that he would be able to avoid jail time, but I guess I was wrong.He is serving a 37 month sentence at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution in Indiana and is scheduled to be released on April 13, 2010. Why didn't he hire R. Kelly's legal team?? Earlier this month his appeal was denied. The 66 year old legend argued that his sentence was unjust because of his age, poor health,and lack of adequate health care in federal prison. In its ruling, the appellate court said the trial judge was correct in sentencing and "best balanced the need to sanction Mr. Isley's `pathological' tax evasion against the need to accommodate Mr. Isley's poor health."

Here is his address, send him a letter and some magazines.
RONALD ISLEY 31215-112

FCI TERRE HAUTE

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

P.O. BOX 33
TERRE HAUTE, IN 47808