Funk Brothers Music

I have enjoyed listening to this cd, first off it was hard to find until someone told me about amazon. I had no trouble locating the product and there was a quick delivery once the order was placed. I am very satisfied. I kind of enjoy ordering items off of amazon, no trouble finding it or receiving it.

I always waver between this album and "Go for Your Guns" as the best album of the 3+3 era Isley Brothers. The lead single, the anthemic "Fight the Power," alone is worth the price of admission, but the group didn't stop there by any means. The title track is another example of simmering funk and "Hope You Feel Better Love" is another stunning uptempo song featuring Ernie Isley going wild on the guitar solo.

But as brilliant as the uptempo songs were, the ballads are nothing short of incredible. The follow-up single "For the Love of You" has been a ballad staple for more than 30 years and Ronald Isley's vocals sound so effortlessly powerful. "Sensuality" is just short of heavenly and "Make Me Say It Again" is another gorgeous ballad.

It's hard to imagine a more perfect Isleys album, because not only has the songwriting developed but the group's overall sound seems more focused. The strength of ballads are equal to the rocking jams.

This is a great record. I don't know why I don't already have it. I loved the Isley Brothers. Very Funky.

I should be ashamed of myself for just now taking the time to write a review on this timeless classic, The Heat is On. Oh man, I cannot tell you how many times I purchased this album back in the 70's, only to have it stolen by a "friend". Well, I have had the CD for years now, and I cannot say it enough, this is an all time classic. Every tune is cold-blooded. Not to mention the memories it brings back of that unforgettable era. I have every album the Brothers ever recorded, and this one is truly the best. Young folk here a sample of one of their cuts on a rap tune but they just don't know!

Equally divided between funk-rock and ballads, and the funk-rock is tops: "Fight the Power" is a gritty protest; the title track has some fine heavy guitar; "Hope You Feel Better Love" mixes that guitar with funk rhythms. The ballads are a bit more problematic. Other than "For the Love of You". Anyone who thinks that song is problematic should be arrested or something, because it's just so lovely and so melodic and so sensual. Unlike "Sensuality", which trudges along for seven minutes. Not much of a song at all. And while I do like the first half of "Make Me Say It Again Girl", I don't see why the band was so eager to stretch it out to eight minutes: I love the popular radio edit, of course, but it ends up as an unimaginative repetition of the refrain. Quite tedious. Thankfully, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Or whatever.

Imagine this: a white Southern cracker who bought this when he was 18 because he liked the album cover. Well, that was me. Vinyl was still around then and album covers had become an art form. My wall was full of album covers while the vinyl discs themselves went into non-scratching, non-shrinking, static proof jackets.

But enough of that.

This is about the music.

I had been a fan for years of black band music from the 1950s and early 1960s but could only get those recordings from K-TEL once I could afford to purchase my music. There was something about the cheezy commercialism of K-TEL that helped my refusal to make the buy.

Hence, the only "black" music I owned were from individual artists such as B.B. King, Bo Didley, Muddy Waters, Miles Davis, et al.

But getting this album opened a whole new world of music to me: Earth, Wind, and Fire; War (arguably not a "black" band); and others.

Give it a try.

Yep. Definitive.

As varied as the Isleys have been over the years, I still stand on my idea that this album is closer to being definitive than any of their others (which are mostly great in their own ways) during their massive string of nearly essential hits and albums.

I feel that way mainly because this is the most efficient Isley record that I own.

6 songs.

Three uptempo songs include their definitive protest jam (Fight the Power), an underrated funk jam (The Heat is On), and a perfect transition jam (Hope You Feel Better Love).

Three ballads. Three of their best ballads. That is saying something. For The Love of You is an essential winner in every way. Sensuality is subtle soul with Ron's heavy love panderings lulling the listeners into some lovemaking. And the nearly-epic Make Me Say it Again, Girl makes for one hell of a closer.

Don't think that having heard these songs on random compilations that you own means that you have heard this album.

Something about these songs being together in this order adds to their quality.

In a music world where folks get caught up over songs/hits/singles, The Heat is On deserves full credit as one hell of an album.

IMO, it is the best Isley work among a collection of greatness.

AP

Fight the power is the theme song of protest in the 1970's. For the Love of you is one of the best love songs of the 1970's. Make me say it again, girl and sensuality are good ballad songs.

The Isley Brothers have gone through many different styles. From the early rock 'n' soul of songs like "Twist & Shout" * "Shout" to the Motown years of "This Old Heart Of Mine" to the funk of the mid 70's, they have constantly & consistently produced great and influential music. The Heat Is On was the band's only number one album and is well deserving of the ranking. From the opening sounds of the fiery "Fight The Power", the album moves into funk, rock and smooth soul. Hip Hop fans may not know their names, but they know the beats as the Isleys are among the most sampled bands. The Isleys always made interesting and well produced albums and The Heat Is On may top the list as their best album.

I was six years old when this album came out so it wasn't until later years when I really got into The Isley Brothers. Of course, growing up we all remember hearing certain songs on the radio and thinking, "WOW!". Such is the feeling I got when I first heard "For the Love of You", which is my favorite song of all time to this day. As years went on I grew to know and love the music of the Isleys and have been expanding my collection of their work ever since.

The Heat is On features the smash hit, "Fight the Power" and "Hope You Feel Better Love" as well as the title track, "The Heat is On". All are hot dance tracks with all the elements of pure seventies funk; bass, acoustic guitar, electric piano, arp and moog synthesizers, slamming drums and ernie's famous 6&12 string.

The mood is mellowed out with the ultimate slow jams, "Make Me Say It Again Girl," "Sensuality", & "For the Love of You".

I love the photography as it captures them live on stage. The dry ice is going and there's the individual name-slash astrological sign-slash birthday center photos, with each member getting his "pose" on.

This is a must have for your collection of REAL music from a REAL band during a time when what you saw on stage was what you heard on the record.

Peace. CLB.

Purchased this as a gift for my husband and he LOVES the Isley Brothers. He woke me up at 6am playing "Lay,Lady,Lay" so I think he loves it. A great selection for Isley Brother fans :)

this Compilation of the Isley's is Pretty Good but this pre-dated the 3+3 Era where they truly exploded&found there Own Groove&Idenity fully.how I wish they had a Live Album from anywhere between 76-79 showcasing there Growth when Compared to when this Album dropped? don't get me wrong this is a pretty Good set,but what came after this Set with there way of Producing,Arranging&balancing Slow&Funky Jams totally flipped there Script.The Isley Brothers are truly the Greatest Band in America Ever.then Comes Earth,wind&Fire.

I can't agree with any rating less than a 5 star!

The Isley Bros took 5 awesome tunes from other bands and made them all so much better! "Too Late" from Carly Simon is dreamily long, and you'll even want it to keep going (over 12 minutes long). Their rendition of "Love The One You're With" by CSN&Y is less country than the original. This one is lively and energetic. "Lay Lady Lay" from Bob Dylan is a beautiful improvement, better voice, better delivered, alive (and over 7 minutes long). "Ohio" by Neil Young is blended with the jagged "Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix, and is 12.5 minutes long! I listen to this blazing and passionate one over and over! They even decided to change the direct references to "Nixon" who was "running" for President again at about that time. (hmmm, surely not the first black Republicans???)

Hey, if you don't like longer-live rock, don't buy a live album. If you like live albums because the songs get extended and livened up, this one is awesome!

I'd have given it a 6 star if it had their Seals & Crofts blastin' remake of "Summer Breeze" and their own "That Lady" live and even longer than their long studio version!

Recorded at New York's infamous Bottom Line in 1972, THE ISLEYS LIVE serves as the last album released before the official announcement of the 3+3 lineup. The material is derived from the albums "Givin' It Back" (1971) and "Brother Brother Brother" (1972), and of course a hornless "It's Your Thing" is included (a version with horns appears as one the bonus cuts recorded live at Yankee Stadium in 1969). On this album, Ernie, Marvin and Chris display their ample talents although Ernie comes off as too loud and show-offy on the draggy "It's Too Late" and funeral-like "Ohio/Machine Gun". The recording quality is thin but adequate, and the lounge lizard techniques (i.e. Ronald impersonating Ray Charles and The Supremes At The Copa-like spoken intoduction to "Love The One You're With")wear a little thin. Overall, an imperfect but good document of the Isleys in concert before the gold and platinum album avalance that occured during the rest of the 1970s.

I'm a child of the seventies and I must say, there's no other group that comes close to the super bad Isley's brothers, except the The Temps of course.....me personally give the the Brothers a Five star review....because they are that gooooood thanks

I have always Been a Big Fan of the Isley Brothers&will always be.this Set highlights many of there Slow Cuts like "Foot steps in the dark",Between the Sheets"&then they turn up the heat on "Fight the Power"&showcse there Versatile side on "that Lady".these brothers could do whatever they wanted to do Musically&they always Brought the Slow Cuts&the Funk.this is a Great Introduction to the Music of the Isley Brothers.They are tied with Earth,Wind&Fire&Sly&the Family Stone as my Favorite Bands Ever.

WE'VE BEEN LOOKING TO REPLACE OUR ISLEY'S GREATEST HITS, VOL.1-1984-FOR YEARS. WANT TO PURCHASE A NEW COPY OF THIS CD. PLEASE E-MAIL us as soon as it becomes available. ROCKWITME

The Isley Brothers are one of those groups that should be in everyone's collections. The smooth voice of Ron Isley (aka Mr. Biggs) leads the group. I love the slow tracks, 1-5. The last three tracks are more up beat. Ron Isley has also worked with R. Kelley.

Bought this on tape about 15 years ago and while most of their late 60's-early 70's hits are here it isn't really enough. When will there be a Greatest Hits Volume 2? If you are a true Isley Bros. fan and have most of their albums then no need to bother with this collection.

This album can only be understood by people who play instruments(Musicians). Bass players, Guitar players and keyboard players can enjoy and appreciate the mastery of this album. Its a great album to play to!!

It's the Isley during a time when they were just on fire.
If you are a fan you have to have this one too.

"Winner Takes All" was somewhat of a creative setback for The Isley Brothers. The band was making a transition from its rock-and-soul sound to one more suited for the dancefloor/disco scene of the late '70s. Unfortunately, some of the songs are filler and for the first time the classic sound shows some wear and tear.

It seems like Ernie and Marvin Isley wanted more of the slapping guitar-and-bass sound popularized by The Brothers Johnson. It works on the lead single "I Wanna Be with You" and the title track, arguably the best uptempo songs. However, it was getting a little repetitive by the time you heard "It's a Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop)" and "Liquid Love" sounds like the group was struggling to merge its classic rock style with the newer style.

Fortunately, The Isley Brothers didn't abandon their penchant for ballads. In fact, because "Winner" is a double album it gave them the leeway to put more ballads than usual on an album. The ballad "Let's Fall in Love" seems to pick up where "Groove with You" left off and two-fer "You're the Key to My Heart" and "You're beside Me" are two great songs married together by Ernie Isley's guitar playing. Add the yearning of "Love Comes and Goes" and the slow drags, while not as brilliant as some of their earlier ballads, are the true gems.

In the pantheon of the 3+3 era, I would rank this as The Isley Brothers' ninth best album. It's an above-average set and even good in certain spots, but it pales compared to their first six albums and IMO ranks behind "Go All the Way" and "Between the Sheets."

Back in 1979, when the Mothership was the only place I wanted to be and only the deepest funk jams would satisfy, a friend loaned me this 2LP set. It blew me away and God knows why I didn't buy it then.

In the last two weeks I was playing my copy of an Isleys compilation featuring the title track (blown away all over again)and as the price of Winner Take All has dropped sinfully low, I dived right in. Wow - all the things said here about an underrated album are 100% true. Since the first time I heard "That Lady" in 1973, this band have enthralled me and this blissful mix of silky vocals, blistering intrumental work, hard funk and lovely ballads means the fascination will continue...

Isleys, I love you, love you, LOVE YOU!

This album is underrated, plain and simple. Back in the day people must have been turned off because it was a double album and it was the height of disco. Well even the tracks that have some disco nuances are still funky. The first 3 songs, 'I Wanna Be With You', 'Liquid Love' and 'Winner Takes All' are pure funk while 'Life In The City' clocks in at 8 minutes and has an extended breakdown with some serious guitar riffs from Ernie. The album slows down with the mid-tempo groove of '(Can't You See) What You Do To Me?' and slows down even further with 'Let's Fall In Love' one of their best slow jams. This isn't one of their more well-remembered albums but it's just as good as '3+3' or 'Go For Your Guns'.

when these Compilations come together it's always important I feel to combine folks that could hang with each other.&the Brothers Johnson&The Dazz Band can do that&More.Jams that come at you&don't let up.you get Raw Funk from Both.a Great Price as well.I have stuff on Both Acts& I enjoy each Group.Strong Showing here.some of the Baddest R&B here over the last 20 years.

Beautiful Ballads is one of those cds that you will find in almost every guy's music collection. I didn't understand this little fact until I actually heard the album , and now it is in my collection. The thing about a guy that's actually a music head, he will know all the right things to have in his collection and trust and believe this album will sit in there with the best of them.

Make It Say It Again
Choosey Lover

And my favortite Voyage To Atlantis....Back then, who could even conceive a title to a incredible track.....

No matter how many times I listen to BB, I feel the same way all over
again...Thanks to those music heads and their quirks..

...And damn am I mad at the Amazon Fishbowl header on this page, 'cause I already had the title in mind! I just pulled this CD out of the racks after many years, for the purpose of uploading it onto my girlfriend's iPod. Man oh man, the memories! I'm not that old, but I remember when I bought this CD back in the early 90's. It was my first Isley Brothers CD. Let me just say that while I've since purchased many more I.B. CDs, there's just nothing like the first time. Don't get me wrong, there are other great compilations out there, 'Funky Family' comes to mind (although, as the title suggests, it covers the funkier dimensions of The Brothers' illustrious career); 'Ultimate Isley Brothers' is good if you're on a budget; you could probably even cop a decently priced copy of 'It's Your Thing: The Story of the Isley Brothers' at this point. But pound for pound, you just can't beat this CD. I think it has something to do with the sequencing - it seems as though whomever decided on the tracks to be included as well as the order in which they should be played spent a lot of time making out to the Isley Brothers! I mean sure, there are some glaring omissions ("Groove With You"? "Between the Sheets"? I could go on and on), but as the music progresses you couldn't care less. Starting its seductive journey with the beautiful testimonies to the early stages of love "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Hello It's Me", you're reeled in. Then you move into Stage 2 with "Let's Fall in Love (Parts 1 & 2 {isn't it amazing how R&B artists were so prolific back in the 70's that their genius needed TWO PARTS to encapsulate one song? Let's see Ne-Yo or Usher do that!}). By track 11 ("Voyage To Atlantis"), you've already gone from sweet courtship to a full declaration of love to a delicate plea for consumation of this union andletnoothermaneverputusasunder, thanks in no small part to this devilishly hypnotic music coming from your speakers in the background.

And this is why I feel the need to post a warning here: in the wrong hands, this music is potentially DANGEROUS. I hate the term "grown folks' music" but I do believe the title may apply here. If you're inexperienced with this sort of thing I'd advise listening alone a few times first before trying to unleash this on your mate (kiddies, stick with your Justin Timberlake records in the meantime). Don't slip this on as mere background music while you're trying to get your groove on if you're not really serious about the person you're with - there are far too many single unwed mothers out there already! But if you're with that special someone (or someone you're hoping might be that special someone), this is the music to 'seal the deal' with.

The only arguement I might make is with Track #7 - what the hell is "Caravan of Love" doing in this booty-call mixtape? It screws up the whole vibe right in the middle of the CD. If anything I'd recommend programming the tracks in advance and leaving that one out, or at least making it the last track. If you use the CD correctly, by then you should laying back smoking a cigarette or eating jellybeans or whatever you call afterplay. ;-)

These ballads can indeed be considered beautiful. The Isley Brothers definitely have talent as artists in general and musicians in particular. The lyrics of these songs as conveyed by the Isleys tug at the heart. That being said, it is still not to my taste.

This is definitely from the R&B/Soul part of the spectrum. My tastes run more towards artists like Sinatra and Humperdinck. I bought this album because of the title and it was no what I expected. Still, the quality of this album is such that I have no regrets.

LOVE THE ISLEYS! THEIR MUSIC STANDS THE TEST OF TIME AND IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE CDS THAT THEY ARE MAKING TODAY! THE EXCEPTIONS ARE MISSION TO PLEASE AND ETERNAL! BODY KISS DID'NT DO IT FOR ME OR BABY MAKIN MUSIC! IF YOU WANT CLASSIC ISLEYS, BUY THIS! IF YOU WANT MR. BIGGS, BUY THE LATTER CDS! CLASSIC ISLEYS ARE THE BEST !

I really enjoy listening to this cd. Like the Love Songs, most of the songs on the cd are great!

The only 2 songs I don't like on here is "You're beside me (Parts 1 & 2)," and "I once had your love (And I can't let go)". The great tracks on here are:

-Brown Eyed Girl

-Hello It's Me

-Let's Fall In Love

-Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

-Make Me Say It Again Girl (Parts 1 & 2)

-Choosey Lover

-Lay Lady Lay

-Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love) (Parts 1 & 2)

According to the sticker on the front cover, it says that this cd has 14 of the most romantic songs ever waxed! Therefore, you should get this cd!