Eternal

Released in 2001, Eternal served as a massive commercial comeback for The Isley Brothers, debuting at the top of the R&B charts. The album is most notable for its collaboration with R. Kelly, who wrote and produced the hit single 'Contagious,' a track that revitalized the 'Mr. Biggs' character and introduced the Isleys to a younger generation. Sonically, the album is a blend of contemporary R&B production and the brothers' signature soul-rock fusion. While Ronald Isley's falsetto remains the focal point, Ernie Isley's guitar contributions on tracks like 'Ernie's Jam' provide a psychedelic edge rarely found in mainstream 2000s R&B. The album is expansive, featuring 14 tracks that lean heavily into the 'slow jam' territory, cementing the Isleys' status as the elder statesmen of seductive soul. It represents a pivotal moment where classic soul craftsmanship met the high-gloss production standards of the turn of the century.