Santana (Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana) and The Isley Brothers (Ronald and Ernie) announce the release of joint album Power Of Peace, a new studio album coming Friday, August 4th on Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
Recorded in 2016, Power of Peace sees Santana and The Isleys collabing on covers of timeless soul, funk, blues, rock, jazz and pop classics such as the Chambers Brothers’ “Are You Ready,” “Love, Peace, Happiness,” Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child,” Eddie Kendricks’ “Body Talk,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Gypsy Woman,” Muddy Waters/Willie Dixon (“I Just Want to Make Love to You”, Dionne Warwick/Jackie DeShannon’s “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love,” Marvin Gaye “Mercy Mercy Me – The Ecology,” and more.
The set even features a new song titled “I Remember,” written and sung by Cindy Blackman Santana. Cindy, who plays drums on the album, produced and arranged “Higher Ground” (along with her husband, Carlos). A family affair, Power of Peace features two Santanas–Carlos (guitar) and Cindy (drums)–and four Isleys: Ronald (vocals) and Ernie (rhythm guitar) and their respective spouses, Kandy Johnson Isley (Ron’s wife, she sings background on “God Bless the Child,” “Body Talk” and “Gypsy Woman”) and Tracy Isley (Ernie’s wife, she also sings background vocals on “God Bless the Child”).
About the album, Carlos Santana explains, “I feel a deep sense of gratitude, appreciation, and thankfulness. There is a spirit of creativity that came knocking and presented itself as a golden opportunity to do something with and for a supreme musician, who I consider to be the best in the world. Brother Ronnie Isley has been in the center of collective unity and harmony on the radio around the world since 1962 with ‘Twist and Shout,’ the song that the Beatles chose to invade America with. Like Michael Jackson, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, he’s an iconic supreme of the highest order. Cindy and I feel very blessed to offer him this gift. From God, through us to you, for the world…Mr. Ronnie Isley.”
“It was an absolute joy working on this album with Carlos!,” exclaims Ronald Isley. “I hope this record carries the spirit of hope , love, and peace to the world that it brought to me, my brother and Carlos!” Ernie adds, “Doing this project with Carlos Santana was fun and illuminating. I hope all music lovers enjoy what we have done.”
The Isley Brothers & Santana Power of Peace will be available in CD, 12″ vinyl, and digital formats. Pre-order available HERE.
Check out the tracklist below:
- Are You Ready
- Total Destruction To Your Mind
- Higher Ground
- God Bless The Child
- I Remember
- Body Talk
- Gypsy Woman
- I Just Want To Make Love To You
- Love, Peace, Happiness
- What The World Needs Now is Love Sweet love
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
- Let The Rain Fall On Me
- Let There Be Peace On Earth
