Funk Brothers Music

This 2006 HIP-O SELECT CD remaster replicates exactly in card form the album "1990" by The Temptations originally issued December 1973 in the USA on Tamla Motown's Gordy 966 (Tamla Motown STMA 016 in the UK).

All 7 tracks (37:36 minutes) were written and produced by NORMAN WHITFIELD and are in the same vein as the "Masterpiece" and "All Directions" albums that preceded it featuring songs similar to "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and "Law Of The Land" - great funky soul meets emerging social conscience. Personally it's a period of The Temptations catalogue that I dig so much more than the Sixties stuff.

The attention to detail in the repro of the US album cover is superb. The hard card sleeve itself is slightly oversized which gives it a chunky and substantial feel. The back of the album cover originally had a lip where you could see the titled "Temptations" inner sleeve - this has been done too. Inside the reproduced inner sleeve is a sepia tinted rice paper sleeve with the HIP-O SELECT details - but it also acts as a protective slip for the CD - something the Japanese MINI LP sleeves do so well. The CD label reflects the original purple Gordy label of the album, and even the barcode is on the outer shrink-wrap rather than being on the card sleeve itself thereby not marking it unnecessarily - all very nice touches - but the really great news is the SOUND...

HIP-O SELECT use several superlative tape engineers, ERICK LABSON, GAVIN LURSSEN and SUHA GUR among them. You see their names turn up across reviews. The fourth is ELLEN FITTON whose truly fantastic remastering here rivals the extraordinary work she put in on "The Supremes: This Is The Story...The Jean Terrell Years" 3CD Book Set (see separate review). If you wanted to hear how good "1990" sounds, you can get an idea from iTunes where this is one of only a handful of HIP-O SELECT albums available for download. Try the ballad "Heavenly" or the funky single taken off the album "You've Got My Soul On Fire" - you'll get the idea - wonderfully soulful tunes - and now with the production muscle the songs have always deserved.

Side 2 of the original album had only 2 tracks, "1990" and the near 14-minute "Zoom". "1990" begins with some slightly dated dialogue stuff, but it's still a powerful song - especially lyrically. "How can you spend another dollar on the space race, with families at home starving right in your face..." painfully true some 35 years after the event. After about 2 minutes of band dialogue, "Zoom" gets in its groove like "Papa..." and is fantastic. This is where the remaster really shines - great stuff.

If I was to point out a downside, it's that their repro issues stick too slavishly to the exact album - as you can see from the pitiful playing time above, there was ample room to put the single edits on - "Zoom" (Gordy 7135) - mono mixes from promo singles - outtakes - stuff like that, but no show... But this is still a recommended purchase - and one that has revelatory sound. Hopefully HIP-O SELECT will extend this kind of re-issue to the very hard to find TEMPTATIONS album "Solid Rock" from 1972 too. Or perhaps a Norman Whitfield box set...

I grew up listening to The Temptations, and I bought his album when it was initially released. I was never a fan of the radio hits "You've Got My Soul On Fire" and "Let Your Hair Down." They aren't bad songs, but for me they just didn't live up to their previous hits, or some of the hits that followed on the album "A Song For You." But the rest of the tracks on "1990" more than make up for the shortcomings of those two tracks. "Heavenly" is a smooth a love ballad as you'd ever want to hear, and is equaled by "I Need You." "There Ain't No Justice" is an excellent social commentary. "Zoom" and "1990" both could have been hit singles, in my opinion. Overall, "1990" is a disc worth having, and it's about time this one was released on CD.

This album was slammin' from beginning to end. "Heavenly" was definitely without a doubt the jam on here. This album also had a political message as well. Norman Whitfield was the man far as producing went on this project. I'm glad i was finally able to track it down on cd.

Having collected every LP and CD by the Temptations this is very close to their best work. As with all Norman Whitfield tracks the production is excellant. Every track is outstanding, but prefering their faster tracks I feel the best track on the CD is Let Your Hair Down.

This is a tremendous album. I have been a long time fan of Edwards and Damon, who I always felt gave Ruffin and Kendricks a run for their money, and this album demonstrates their superior vocal skills. Now, for my money, "All Directions" (feat. 'Papa was a Rolling Stone') and "A Song for You" (feat 'A Song for You', 'Memories') were better overall albums track for track, but that's like saying I prefer Lexus to Mercedes. Where I actually prefer this album to any Temps album is the tenor of the messages in the lyrics, artfully reflected in great vocals with a music score that is intelligent, and not overblown (sometimes I feel that current artists don't understand that, often, less is more). I was pleasantly surprised, and encouraged, by what I see as an effort by some record labels to finally begin to fill some of the disgraceful gaps in album reissues in the R&B genre. "Greatest Hits" compilations can never, NEVER do justice to reflecting the concepts that are instilled in true album releases. Good for you, Guys. Keep it up!!!!

I AM NOT A LOVER OF THE NEVILLE BROTHERS MUSIC OR THEIR INTERPETATION; HOWEVER,THE SONG MISS ROSA, SINGING THE PRASIES OF MRS. ROSA PARKS I LIKE.

Unfortunately the CD case was pretty banged up by the time I received this item, and I had purchased it as a Christmas gift for someone. I don't know if that was due to it getting crushed in transit or if it was insufficiently packaged in the first place.

All of the hits and then some, if you are a chld of the '70's, this one is for you!

Sorry to the hip/hop generation. Yall just don't know what real music is like. Yall can sample this music, you just don't know how to make it!! Strawberry Letter, I'll be good to you, and many more from this set is the stuff from real playing musicians, George and Louis Johnson, protege's of Quincy Jones. I lived this music in the 70's!!!

nothing like good ole' fashion funk!!! with thunder thumbs and lighting licks

As a collector, there are 3 things that I consider most important when I'm looking for CDs: 1) Are all the top 10 songs present? 2) Are they the original recordings? 3) How much am I going to have to shell out for this CD? This CD passed the test with flying colors!

Another title in the long list of Millenium Collection titles from Universal is this set from the Brothers Johnson. You might be asking why another greatest hits package from the Brothers Johnson? A couple of things that make this compilation enticing are two tracks that are finally making their debut on CD, including "Welcome To The Club" which was originally released on their long out-of-print original greatest hits album "Blast" back in 1982. Also the song that the George and Louis made their debut on, "Is It Love That We're Missin'" from Quincy Jones' "Mellow Madness" album(also unavailable on CD)is included. The hits included here are the full length album versions. The package has cool photos and has been nicely annotated by journalist Steven Ivory. The remastering(done by Universal's man on the west coast Erick Labson) sounds crisper and punchier than even the album reissues from '96. Though more for the casual fan than the hardcore fanatics, this is one of the stronger titles in the millenium collection series and is one I can definitely recommmend.

Although they had played on thousands of records for Motown, until the documentary film Standing In The Shadows Of Motown in 2002 few had heard of the Funk Brothers by name, and even fewer knew the names of the master musicians who did so much to create the identity of Motown from the snake pit at the Hitsville Studio in Detroit throughout the sixties. Until Marvin Gaye insisted on having them credited on his album What's Going On in 1970, their names had apparently never even appeared on a Motown sleeve.

Names like bandleader and keyboard player Earl Van Dyke, bassist James Jamerson, guitarists Robert White, Joe Messina and Eddie Willis, and drummers Benny Benjamin, Pistol Allen and Uriel Jones, to mention a few, are gradually seeping into our consciousness as we backtrack through the mighty ever-expanding Motown archives.

Occasionally the band were let loose and allowed to add lead instruments over the backing tracks originally recorded for the various Motown singers, and in 1965 an album appeared by Earl Van Dyke and the Soul Brothers (Berry Gordy didn't approve the name Funk Brothers because of what he considered its improper connotations) called That Motown Sound.

The tracks were mostly led by Earl Van Dyke's Hammond organ, with extra guitar fills by Robert White or Joe Messina, and six of them are included on this Best Of, including All For You and I Can't Help Myself, which came out as singles in the UK and America respectively, with B-sides Too Many Fish In The Sea and How Sweet It Is. Given the 38 minute playing time, it is a shame space could not have been found for the rest of the album. Also, as the first five tracks come from the stereo version of the album, it is a pity that the single mono mix of I Can't Help Myself has been used.

Three other Earl Van Dyke singles are included in mono: Soul Stomp (1964), Six By Six (on which the Funk Brothers are joined by the six-piece Motown Brass)(1966) and Runaway Child, Running Wild (1969). Soul Stomp was a cover of a Contours song which wasn't released.

The Stingray is a funky workout taken from a 1970 Earl Van Dyke live album called The Earl Of Funk. Marvin Gaye's single What's Going On featured the instrumental backing track (with backing vocals) on the flip side, with Eli Fountain's memorable opening sax line, but sounds slightly incomplete, though it is a welcome inclusion as it is a first-time stereo mix. The final track is similarly the (mostly) instrumental B-side of the mighty Tempts' track Papa Was A Rolling Stone. This is the most recent recording on the record, having been made on 28 June 1972, though it remains sadly in mono, so for the full effect you need to turn to the near twelve minute version on their album Psychedelic Shack/All Directions or All Directions.

There are no new unreleased tracks here (two can be found on the A Cellarful of Motown! compilations) and the playing time is skimpy, but it's what's in the grooves that counts and this is a testament to the creators of some of the finest grooves to be found.

The background music for some great tunes is okay, but the lack of vocals is a disappointment. We expected a collection of classic hits and were let down by a CD of only instrumentals.

This allows the listener to hear the amazing music behind the vocals of many a great tune. Just about any vocalist would sound good over these tracks (no offense to the great motown vocalists). The feel is all there!! Highly recommended!!!

Arguably one of the most unsung heroes in the Motown catalogue, The Funk Brothers were (along with "Booker T & The M.G.'s), one of the most talented, and rhythmically accomplished instrumental acts in the evolution of the R&B/Funk Motown sound. Providing the backing instrumentation of some of the Greatest Motown tracks ever produced ("Marvin Gaye's - I Heard it Through the Grapevine", Stevie Wonder's - I Was Made to Love her"), only confirmed that, had they been pushed more as more of a Studio band in their own right, rather than providing the jaw-dropping instrumentals for Motown singers, that they would have been a far better know group in their own right.

Legend goes, that the saying "Once The Funk Brothers had recorded the instrumental part of a song, it didn't matter who sang over it". Certainly rings true, when you hear their music. Moving easily between Southern R&B, Memphis Soul, R&B & Funk, they were masters at taking a rhythm or Groove, and building exceptionally well-composed arrangements around it. And this release brings together a handful of tracks (in this case "12 Tracks"), as a quick and easy reference point for the band. Although fairly slim in terms of the number of tracks included, there's no doubt that this is the sound of the group that were at the top of their game, and the release is something of a truly perfect entry point for first time listeners of The Funk Brothers, or merely Causal listeners that are familiar with their sound. But such is the brilliance of The Funk Brothers work and stellar performances that a one Disk overview, does fall painfully short of highlighting the considerable overall brilliance of this group. And they are a group that are simply crying out for a boxset of some description!! (such a boxset, does not exist). But to mark down this compilation purely because it couldn't possibly contain all their essential material is pointless, as this is intended as a beautifully compiled introduction to the group (which it is). And I have no hesitation in giving this budget priced compilation a 5 Star recommendation.

But for those of you that either (A) have sampled this release and would like to hear more of their work. (B) Would rather have something with substantially more tracks to wade through, or (C) Are familiar with their work and would like to jump straight in.....then I'd have to steer you in the direction of the finest available summary of the Funk Brothers work, the seminal: "Standing in the Shadows of Motown: (Deluxe Edition)", which is the greatest overview of one of Motown greatest bands. As this would be the ulitmate addition, for those keen to hear more of this Phenomenal bands work.

Their music was the backbone of "THE MOTOWN SOUND" , later known as "THE SOUND OF YOUNG AMERICA". Although most of their main members are gone , but not forgotten. They were : James Jamerson, William "Benny" Benjamin, Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Earl Van Dyke, Robert White, Richard "Pistol" Allen, and Johnny Griffith. Their hits will live on forever ! All R.I.P. !!

All of the hits and then some, if you are a chld of the '70's, this one is for you!

Sorry to the hip/hop generation. Yall just don't know what real music is like. Yall can sample this music, you just don't know how to make it!! Strawberry Letter, I'll be good to you, and many more from this set is the stuff from real playing musicians, George and Louis Johnson, protege's of Quincy Jones. I lived this music in the 70's!!!

nothing like good ole' fashion funk!!! with thunder thumbs and lighting licks

As a collector, there are 3 things that I consider most important when I'm looking for CDs: 1) Are all the top 10 songs present? 2) Are they the original recordings? 3) How much am I going to have to shell out for this CD? This CD passed the test with flying colors!

Another title in the long list of Millenium Collection titles from Universal is this set from the Brothers Johnson. You might be asking why another greatest hits package from the Brothers Johnson? A couple of things that make this compilation enticing are two tracks that are finally making their debut on CD, including "Welcome To The Club" which was originally released on their long out-of-print original greatest hits album "Blast" back in 1982. Also the song that the George and Louis made their debut on, "Is It Love That We're Missin'" from Quincy Jones' "Mellow Madness" album(also unavailable on CD)is included. The hits included here are the full length album versions. The package has cool photos and has been nicely annotated by journalist Steven Ivory. The remastering(done by Universal's man on the west coast Erick Labson) sounds crisper and punchier than even the album reissues from '96. Though more for the casual fan than the hardcore fanatics, this is one of the stronger titles in the millenium collection series and is one I can definitely recommmend.

This is the very cool quadraphonic mix of this classic album. It is a shame this format is going to die like quadraphonic sound did. If you can play sacds, you should add this to your library.

The musical content is five star material. But the audio quality is not what I expect from the SACD format. Multi-channel sounds nice but it doesn't blow me away. If you're looking for a great SACD along the same venue, try Earth Wind and Fire's SACD "Gratitude".

The Isley Brothers album 3+3 is already a classic album with hits like "That Lady" and the Seals and Crofts remake of "Summer Breeze." I own the cd and I listen to it on a regular occassion. Then I purchased this SACD of the album, and listening to the SACD makes me want to dispose of my CD of this album. The SACD of this album is quite simply, masterful. Listening to "That Lady" in Multi-channel surround is awesome. The guitar riffs and bass sounds so distinct, crisp, and the voices are not drained out by them. I heard instruments so clean that I wasn't aware of them on the CD, but are so vibrant on the SACD. The track "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" is one of my favorites and is wonderfully remastered on SACD. The guitar sounds better on SACD then on CD. Ron Isley's voice comes alive and each Isley brother that plays an instrument can be heard clearly. This album is already great. When it is on SACD, this album is superior. This album alone should be reason enough to get SACD and makes me wish more Isley Brothers albums will be released on Multi-channel. This album is that good.

The Isley Brothers 3+3 has some very tight rhythms. The drums are kickin' and the grooves are slammin'. I noticed that in the other reviews, no one mentioned the very last song, "Highways of Life". That song, along with "Summer Breeze" are beautifully arranged. Brother-in-law Chris Jasper demonstrates his classical background, especially on these pieces, while Ernie displays his Hendrix influence. Play this album, Live It Up, and The Heat Is On back to back and you'll see the progression of their talent.

do you really love music? can you visualize the momentum in culture by the music of that time? it's seminal to the rock and soul melting pot. we're not talking about electrifying the blues like the british groups. this isn't a group becoming a family, they're a family with an evolving identity enthusiastically obliterating the definitions of rock and soul. you could call it raw like the first three Prince albums [it's better], but there's no doubt that there's an equal love of music is there. the joy in life and truth is there. open your mind, hefe.

Every song on this CD is a winner. From sultry ballads like Summer Breeze, to full-throttle funk on Who's That Lady, everything The Isleys do just rocks! What makes this group so stellar is not only the wonderful song-writing, but the legendary guitar-work, and the inimitable vocals. I can listen to this CD over and over in succession, and never tire of it. If you look at the CD jacket, particularly the inside, it is again evident that these guys are FUN-KAY. I mean, look at how they dress! Only a true funkster could wear a cotton poncho with panache!

That Lady is the most known song on this track. However, one must not forget about summer breeze, don't let me be lonely, highways of life, what it comes down to, and listen to the music.

In the 60's the Isley Brothers reinvented soul with the
funky "It's your Thing" in 1969 and after that formula went a
bit stale they added two younger brothers and a cousin,keyboardist Chris Jasper and released "3+3",whitch is actually a close extention of the previous album in 1972
"Brother,Brother,Brother",all except three standouts.There is of
course "That Lady" a hard funk/rock classic that stands as a
milestone of 70's music in general and two covers that blow the

originals out the door-an "It's Your Thing"-like remake of
the Doobie's "Listen To The Music",the sensual "Summer Breeze"
and the deeply funky "(Sunshine Go) Away Today".And even with some slightly vapid material (not that much though) "3+3"
is the honest first effort of what turned out to be a whole new Isley Brothers and a whole new funk!

This is the album that transformed The Isley Brothers from a respected but somewhat sporadic hit-making trio into a powerhouse that had 10 gold or platinum albums over the next decade. More specifically, younger brothers Marvin and Ernie Isley and brother-in-law Chris Jasper infused a rock-and-soul formula to the venerable vocals of Ronald, Rudolph and O'Kelly Isley.

Enough accolades cannot be given to "That Lady," one of the great songs of the '70s that crystalizes the incredible merger of the two generations. From Ronald Isley's whimsical coolness to Ernie Isley's blistering guitar solo, it's still a mesmerizing classic. Moreover, "3+3" has plenty of other gems, starting with their stunning cover of Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze" that stands toe-to-toe with "That Lady." Other treasures include "What It Comes Down To (the follow-up to 'That Lady')," "Sunshine (Go Away Today)" and the sincere earnest of "The Highways of My Life."

Even though The Isleys were moving toward a more rock-oriented sound prior to the younger members joining, the newer members' incredible musicianship and songwriting gave the older members the consistently high quality material they rarely had. "3+3" is essentially for anyone who not only is an Isley Brothers fan, but a '70s soul fan.

This is the record that started my relationship with the Isleys.
Simply put the record on and groove with a classic.

After having several successful singles from the early 60's to late 60's The Isley Brothers had a solid chart run, but NO "Hit" albums to boost. In the early 70's they added 3 more menbers (2 younger Brothers & Their Brother-In-Law), changed their known Soul-R&B sound, added the powerful guitar of younger Brother Ernie (Who played just as good as Jimi Hendrix), and went straight up Funk-R&B with just a taste of Rock....The
Isley Brothers not only had Back-To-Back Hits Singles (Several going #1 and/or Top Ten), But a long string of Gold & Platinuim sellers starting with the "3 + 3" project! It included the #1 Smash "That Lady" which was a remake of one of their Non Charting singles from the Mid 60's. Shortly after the album was released come the Top Ten Smash "Summer Breeze" which showcase how the Isleys could turn a remake of a Pop Smash into 6:00 of
Soul 'n' Funk. Another single released from the album "What It Comes Down To" was a Top 20 Hit. Their "Hit" streak continued for about 7 or 8 years, but it all started with this one!

Formed as a Gospel group in 1954 with Brothers O' Kelly, Rudy, Ronnie and Veron Isley. But disaster stroke and Vernon was killed after his bicycle was hit by a car. He was 13. The band quite performing and could have ended up as a fotnote in a local newspaper. But in 1957 they decided to reform and start perform again, they did Doo-Wop at first, However they shortly switched to a mix between Rock N Roll and gritty R&B and they mostly did covers or profesionally penned songs without much personality. In 1964 they became the first ever R&B band to start they own record label, called T-Neck they also recruited the young guitarist Jimi Hendrix who made his first recording on the band's "Testify". Unfortunately it failed and they signed for Motown shortly after and under Berry Gordy and the songwriting team Dozier/Holland/Dozier they made a name of themselves. Their biggest hit was "This Old Heart Of Mine" which was a typical Motown song, catchy, happy and commercial and as good as it was, it wasn't the right thing for them in the long run. In 1969 they emancipated themseselves and re-built the T-Neck label under Buddah. "It's Out Thing" was funky James Brown inspired R&B and the band had once again changed their appearence. The band had now also shortly started to write their own material, but they were still in massive change. On Their next album "The Brothers: Isley" they wrote all of the songs by themselves and standouts were, "I Turned You On", "Was It Good To You" and "The Blacker The Berry" (about the love for dark skinned women). The music was simular to their previous album with alot ofd Funk but they had now founded their trademark sexy/romantic lyricism. On "Brother, Brother, Brother" they once again merged Rock with R&B and with younger brothers Ernie, Marvin and relative Chris Jasper as sidemen they shortly started to look like a rockband simular to Funkadelic and Sly & The Family Stone with both charismatic singers, skilled instrumentalists and genuine songwriters. The few times they made covers, they made them their own. But the birth of the new Isley Brothers is truly when the 3 newbies become permanent members on "3+3" in 1973. Marvin as a funky R&B bassist, Ernie as a profilic Guitarist that loved long blistering solos and Chris Jasper highly influentual with the Keyboards. They Isley brothers was now an all black Rock Band, that loved playing Rock as much as they loved singing R&B.

"3+3", their first album for Epic was a major success. They mixed self-penned material like "Who's That Lady" with Ernie's beautiful distorted guitar solo, closely resembling Hendrix. The amazing melodicism and the memorable hook. Blending diffrent genres successfully thanks to skilled muscians and Ronald singing in his unique sensual voice is what The Isley Brothers are most famous for. Other memorable originals were "If You Were There" which was more pop oriented, and ballad "The Highways Of My Life", but this album also featured several interesting covers. "Summer Breeze" a personal take of Seal & Crofts Folk song which infact is much better then the original with it's unique percussion, guitar riffs and tender vocals. This song also ends with a fantastic guitar solo. The brassy Doobie Brothers cover "Listen To The Music" and the unrecognizable Jonathan Edwards cover "Sunshine". Needless to say, This album stands as the bluprint for alot of their latter music and is one of the finest and most important R&B albums of the 70's.

Overall, After 3+3 The Isley Brother became a band to count on and they continued making good music throughout the 70's and early 80's. Memorable hits like "Fight The Power", "For The Love Of You", "Voyage To Atlantic" are part of their legacy. They flirted with Disco and became one of the pioneers for Quiet Storm with immortal slow jams like "Footsteps In The Dark", "Between The Sheets" and "Chosey lover", aswell as playing a keyrole in Hip Hop as one of the most sampled bands of all time. Ronald Isley also appeared on R. Kelly's 1996 hit "Down Low" and eventhough the brothers are only two these days (Roanld and Ernie) after O'Kelly passed away in 1986 and the other 3 did others things they are still going strong, Their last album to date came in 2006 and was called "Baby Makin' Music (Feat. Ronald Isley AKA Mr. Biggs). Simply put, One of the greatest R&B groups of all time.

I dig the Isley Brothers back in the day&also in the Modern Era.this Album showcases there tight Self-Contained Rhythm Section&also they Wrote,arranged,Produced&Performed&also had the Record released on there own T-Neck Records.there blend of R&B,Pop&Rock just was a strong winning Formula."Summer Breeze"&that Lady" were my cuts.they are Tied as My Favorite All-Time Band with Earth,Wind&fire.

The Isley Brothers 3+3 has some very tight rhythms. The drums are kickin' and the grooves are slammin'. I noticed that in the other reviews, no one mentioned the very last song, "Highways of Life". That song, along with "Summer Breeze" are beautifully arranged. Brother-in-law Chris Jasper demonstrates his classical background, especially on these pieces, while Ernie displays his Hendrix influence. Play this album, Live It Up, and The Heat Is On back to back and you'll see the progression of their talent.

do you really love music? can you visualize the momentum in culture by the music of that time? it's seminal to the rock and soul melting pot. we're not talking about electrifying the blues like the british groups. this isn't a group becoming a family, they're a family with an evolving identity enthusiastically obliterating the definitions of rock and soul. you could call it raw like the first three Prince albums [it's better], but there's no doubt that there's an equal love of music is there. the joy in life and truth is there. open your mind, hefe.

Every song on this CD is a winner. From sultry ballads like Summer Breeze, to full-throttle funk on Who's That Lady, everything The Isleys do just rocks! What makes this group so stellar is not only the wonderful song-writing, but the legendary guitar-work, and the inimitable vocals. I can listen to this CD over and over in succession, and never tire of it. If you look at the CD jacket, particularly the inside, it is again evident that these guys are FUN-KAY. I mean, look at how they dress! Only a true funkster could wear a cotton poncho with panache!

That Lady is the most known song on this track. However, one must not forget about summer breeze, don't let me be lonely, highways of life, what it comes down to, and listen to the music.

In the 60's the Isley Brothers reinvented soul with the
funky "It's your Thing" in 1969 and after that formula went a
bit stale they added two younger brothers and a cousin,keyboardist Chris Jasper and released "3+3",whitch is actually a close extention of the previous album in 1972
"Brother,Brother,Brother",all except three standouts.There is of
course "That Lady" a hard funk/rock classic that stands as a
milestone of 70's music in general and two covers that blow the

originals out the door-an "It's Your Thing"-like remake of
the Doobie's "Listen To The Music",the sensual "Summer Breeze"
and the deeply funky "(Sunshine Go) Away Today".And even with some slightly vapid material (not that much though) "3+3"
is the honest first effort of what turned out to be a whole new Isley Brothers and a whole new funk!

This is the album that transformed The Isley Brothers from a respected but somewhat sporadic hit-making trio into a powerhouse that had 10 gold or platinum albums over the next decade. More specifically, younger brothers Marvin and Ernie Isley and brother-in-law Chris Jasper infused a rock-and-soul formula to the venerable vocals of Ronald, Rudolph and O'Kelly Isley.

Enough accolades cannot be given to "That Lady," one of the great songs of the '70s that crystalizes the incredible merger of the two generations. From Ronald Isley's whimsical coolness to Ernie Isley's blistering guitar solo, it's still a mesmerizing classic. Moreover, "3+3" has plenty of other gems, starting with their stunning cover of Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze" that stands toe-to-toe with "That Lady." Other treasures include "What It Comes Down To (the follow-up to 'That Lady')," "Sunshine (Go Away Today)" and the sincere earnest of "The Highways of My Life."

Even though The Isleys were moving toward a more rock-oriented sound prior to the younger members joining, the newer members' incredible musicianship and songwriting gave the older members the consistently high quality material they rarely had. "3+3" is essentially for anyone who not only is an Isley Brothers fan, but a '70s soul fan.

This is the record that started my relationship with the Isleys.
Simply put the record on and groove with a classic.

After having several successful singles from the early 60's to late 60's The Isley Brothers had a solid chart run, but NO "Hit" albums to boost. In the early 70's they added 3 more menbers (2 younger Brothers & Their Brother-In-Law), changed their known Soul-R&B sound, added the powerful guitar of younger Brother Ernie (Who played just as good as Jimi Hendrix), and went straight up Funk-R&B with just a taste of Rock....The
Isley Brothers not only had Back-To-Back Hits Singles (Several going #1 and/or Top Ten), But a long string of Gold & Platinuim sellers starting with the "3 + 3" project! It included the #1 Smash "That Lady" which was a remake of one of their Non Charting singles from the Mid 60's. Shortly after the album was released come the Top Ten Smash "Summer Breeze" which showcase how the Isleys could turn a remake of a Pop Smash into 6:00 of
Soul 'n' Funk. Another single released from the album "What It Comes Down To" was a Top 20 Hit. Their "Hit" streak continued for about 7 or 8 years, but it all started with this one!

Formed as a Gospel group in 1954 with Brothers O' Kelly, Rudy, Ronnie and Veron Isley. But disaster stroke and Vernon was killed after his bicycle was hit by a car. He was 13. The band quite performing and could have ended up as a fotnote in a local newspaper. But in 1957 they decided to reform and start perform again, they did Doo-Wop at first, However they shortly switched to a mix between Rock N Roll and gritty R&B and they mostly did covers or profesionally penned songs without much personality. In 1964 they became the first ever R&B band to start they own record label, called T-Neck they also recruited the young guitarist Jimi Hendrix who made his first recording on the band's "Testify". Unfortunately it failed and they signed for Motown shortly after and under Berry Gordy and the songwriting team Dozier/Holland/Dozier they made a name of themselves. Their biggest hit was "This Old Heart Of Mine" which was a typical Motown song, catchy, happy and commercial and as good as it was, it wasn't the right thing for them in the long run. In 1969 they emancipated themseselves and re-built the T-Neck label under Buddah. "It's Out Thing" was funky James Brown inspired R&B and the band had once again changed their appearence. The band had now also shortly started to write their own material, but they were still in massive change. On Their next album "The Brothers: Isley" they wrote all of the songs by themselves and standouts were, "I Turned You On", "Was It Good To You" and "The Blacker The Berry" (about the love for dark skinned women). The music was simular to their previous album with alot ofd Funk but they had now founded their trademark sexy/romantic lyricism. On "Brother, Brother, Brother" they once again merged Rock with R&B and with younger brothers Ernie, Marvin and relative Chris Jasper as sidemen they shortly started to look like a rockband simular to Funkadelic and Sly & The Family Stone with both charismatic singers, skilled instrumentalists and genuine songwriters. The few times they made covers, they made them their own. But the birth of the new Isley Brothers is truly when the 3 newbies become permanent members on "3+3" in 1973. Marvin as a funky R&B bassist, Ernie as a profilic Guitarist that loved long blistering solos and Chris Jasper highly influentual with the Keyboards. They Isley brothers was now an all black Rock Band, that loved playing Rock as much as they loved singing R&B.

"3+3", their first album for Epic was a major success. They mixed self-penned material like "Who's That Lady" with Ernie's beautiful distorted guitar solo, closely resembling Hendrix. The amazing melodicism and the memorable hook. Blending diffrent genres successfully thanks to skilled muscians and Ronald singing in his unique sensual voice is what The Isley Brothers are most famous for. Other memorable originals were "If You Were There" which was more pop oriented, and ballad "The Highways Of My Life", but this album also featured several interesting covers. "Summer Breeze" a personal take of Seal & Crofts Folk song which infact is much better then the original with it's unique percussion, guitar riffs and tender vocals. This song also ends with a fantastic guitar solo. The brassy Doobie Brothers cover "Listen To The Music" and the unrecognizable Jonathan Edwards cover "Sunshine". Needless to say, This album stands as the bluprint for alot of their latter music and is one of the finest and most important R&B albums of the 70's.

Overall, After 3+3 The Isley Brother became a band to count on and they continued making good music throughout the 70's and early 80's. Memorable hits like "Fight The Power", "For The Love Of You", "Voyage To Atlantic" are part of their legacy. They flirted with Disco and became one of the pioneers for Quiet Storm with immortal slow jams like "Footsteps In The Dark", "Between The Sheets" and "Chosey lover", aswell as playing a keyrole in Hip Hop as one of the most sampled bands of all time. Ronald Isley also appeared on R. Kelly's 1996 hit "Down Low" and eventhough the brothers are only two these days (Roanld and Ernie) after O'Kelly passed away in 1986 and the other 3 did others things they are still going strong, Their last album to date came in 2006 and was called "Baby Makin' Music (Feat. Ronald Isley AKA Mr. Biggs). Simply put, One of the greatest R&B groups of all time.

I dig the Isley Brothers back in the day&also in the Modern Era.this Album showcases there tight Self-Contained Rhythm Section&also they Wrote,arranged,Produced&Performed&also had the Record released on there own T-Neck Records.there blend of R&B,Pop&Rock just was a strong winning Formula."Summer Breeze"&that Lady" were my cuts.they are Tied as My Favorite All-Time Band with Earth,Wind&fire.