Funk Brothers Music

The Isley Brothers makes a very strong comeback on "Between The Sheets" after putting out rather lackluster albums in the early 80's. Sadly, this album is the swan song to the 3+3 run of albums by the Isley's with the group splitting into due to creative differences. "Choosey Lover" puts you in the mind of previous love ballads from the 70's, while the title track brings the Isley's into a different, yet Isley Brothers trademark sound. Had these guys not split, there might have been another solid 4 or 5 more albums by this group.

"Between the Sheets" was a fitting comeback for the 3+3 model of The Isley Brothers after three rather lackluster albums ("Grand Slam," "Inside You" and "The Real Deal"). Unfortunately, it was also the last album of the legendary, two-generation group; Ernie and Marvin Isley plus Chris Jasper would leave by the end of 1983 and form their own group, Isley/Jasper/Isley.

IMO, this was a tremendous half of an album -- the ballads. Generally a group that typically had two ballads per album, The Isley Brothers realized its uptempo stuff had become an anachorism. Apparently inspired by the sounds of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" (which was released months before this album), the guys came back with several killer ballads ("Between the Sheets," "Choosey Lover," "Touch Me" and "I Need Your Body") and the bouncy mid-tempo "Let's Make Love Tonight."

For the first time in several years, The Isley Brothers sound inspired. Ronald Isley's vocals are vibrant and the songwriting is particularly strong on the aforementioned tracks. Moreover, the music production is lush and elaborate without sounding as forced as it was on the "Inside You" album. Ernie Isley's work as a drummer and percussionist are more of the forefront than his guitar playing (save for "Choosey Lover").

Unlike some others, I never got into the other more uptempo tracks, such as "Ballad of the Fallen Soldier" and "Slow Down Children" that showed how dated their other sound had gotten. The success of "Between the Sheets" paved the way for the act's reputation as bedroom balladeers for the next 25 years.

The Isley Brothers hae been putting out quality, classic material for several decades, and this album, which came out in 1983 is still on hit today! Of course, there is the silky smooth R&B classic, "Between The Sheets" that rapper/producers like Jermaine Dupri sampled on Da Brat's "FunkDaFied," and like Sean "Puffy" Combs did on Biggie's "Big Poppa." But this album is more than just the title cut. There is a nice mixture of styles, like the fast paced party funk tracks like "Way Out Love" and "Rock You Good" make you want to dance or lowride with the top down. There are other silky tracks here as well, like the slow tempo "Choosy Lover" and "Touch Me." The Isley's vocals are among the best of R&B past and present, and they showcast them extremely well through the album! The mid-tempo track "I Need Your Body," is smooth and fun to just chill to! Overall, the album is just pure acoustic and lyrical fun (feel good music!). This music is also a good romantic mood setter to play when on a date!

After releasing some lackluster albums in the early 80's (The Real Deal, Inside You and Grand Slam) the Isleys came back with this, their last #1 R&B Album for 18 years. The best thing about this album is that everyone in the group is front and center. Rudolph's and O'Kelly's backing vocals are the best they've ever been. Too often in the previous albums they would be drowned out by the burning funk cooked up by the younger 3. This is a nice change as the Isleys once again sounded like a vocal group while still being a band. The first side is all love songs. "Choosey Lover" and "I Need Your Body" are the best of the bunch, the latter just being just short of perfection as Ronald provides stellar lead vocals, Chris goes into Barry White mode as he does a little "rap" at the end, Ernie's guitar and the backing vocals convey the urgency of the song and Marvin's bass keeps rumbling along as usual. But the second side is filled with killer funk and protest songs. "Slow Down Children" and "Ballad For The Fallen Soldier" burn with as much anger as "Fight The Power", "The Pride" and "Livin' In The Life". They cap things off with the rockin' instrumental "Rock You Good".

This album was the most cohesive the Isleys put out in their 3+3 era. It seemed they had finally recaptured their sound and updated it for the 80's. Too bad this was to be their swan song as the younger 3 bolted to form Isely Jasper Isley. This album only makes you wonder what could have been.

This album is a true classic. I don't even know where to start. I was turned on to this LP after hearing Notorious BIG's "Big Poppa", which sampled the title track "Between the Sheets". Since "Between the Sheets" was great I decided to get the whole album. I was amazed.

Between the Sheets is the perfect title for this music because it's most convinient when you're in the mood to get "Between the Sheets". Though every track on this album is great, my favorites have to be "Choosey Lover", "I Need Your Body", and "Ballad For the Fallen Soldier". Those are the ones I play most often. Great production along with great vocals by lead vocalist Ron Isley make this album a masterpiece. If you're a hip-hop fan like myself then you'll find that many artists have used samples from this album. Nas used "Choosey Lover" for his "Street Dreams Remix", Jay-Z & Too Short used "Ballad For the Fallen Soldier" for "A Week Ago", and of course BIG used "Between the Sheets" for "Big Poppa". The latter of those was more along the lines of copying/biting rather than actual sampling. I blame that on Puffy.

I recommend you purchase this album as soon as possible. $9.98 is an excellent price for an album this good. It's easily worth 5 times that much. This, in my opinion is the Isley Brothers greatest work. You'll enjoy this much more than one of their collection albums.

This isn't a critique of the CD. The CD rates 5 stars to start with. This typing is about how I got my copy! Read on...

As of this writing (09/10/2008), copies of Blam! are starting to become available in Japan. I scored mine for $20/US via ebay ($17/US + $3/US for shipping). The seller had a few copies available. This was clearly the best price I've seen for this outstanding effor by the Brothers Johnson. Go to EBAY and maybe you'll get lucky. If not, spend a few more dollars and let Amazon do the work for you!

Again, five stars for the music! For once, thank you EBAY!

This is the Brother's Johnson at their best, no if, ands or buts about it. The entire CD is off the richter scale. Fortunately, I found a copy of the CD at discount warehouse for $6 bucks and snapped it up because the CD has appreciated beyond belief and for good reason.

If you want to enjoy these bad brothers, there's plenty more of their material to be had, but if you want to get them raw and without the billboard chart influence, this CD is it!

I recently found a perfectly clean copy of BLAM!! on vinyl for $4 and couldn't believe my good fortune! This is a perfect middle ground for lovers of both commercial soul/R&B and hardcore funk. From start to finish this plays almost like a concept album with "Ride O Rocket" serving as the centerpiece. A Classic that should be released on CD again at a REASONABLE price. If you see it anywhere in any format, GRAB IT!

What a MASTERPIECE!
Louis' thumpin' bass was (and still is) unique. I don't think I'll hurt any other bass player's feelings when I say that Louis completely changed what people thought they knew about electric bass playing. The loops, the pops, but also the finesse for the ballads, wooow!
But this album is much more than "just" Louis. True Magic, that's what it is. If it doesn't make you dance and/or sing out, I don't know what will.
Like Look Out for #1 and Right On Time before and Light Up The Night after, this album was produced by Quincy Jones. Why did I pick this one to review? To me it's the most varied, the best of the lot. The production leaves the musicians all the space they need to get the fun into the groove. It never sounds over-produced nor raw.
A few of the world's best musicians? Here they are: Louis on bass and vocals. His brother George on guitar and lead vocals. Alex Weir, David Foster, Richard Tee, Wayne Vaughn, Harvey Mason, Steve Shaffer, Steve Khan, Steve Porcaro, Steve Foreman, Eddie Bongo Brown, Larry Carlton, Jerry Hey, Lawrence Williams, Kim Hutchcroft, Gary Grant, William Reichenbach, Michael Brecker.
I love the entire album, but my favorites are Ain't We Funkin' Now? a throbbin' piece that makes you shout along after a second.
Mista Cool - needs no explanation, just C.O.O.L.
It's You Girl, one of the best examples of Quincy's amazing talent as a producer. The Brothers stay the Brothers, creating their own terrific funkin' sound, yet at the same time it's pure Quincy. Incredible!!!
Streetwave, the last song, is an instrumental, but what a sound, so exciting, so beautiful.
Forget about all the Best Of's. Get this one as it came out. I have a Japanese cd. Maybe there is a chance of getting it through amazon.co.jp or used.
Just get it.

I once owned this album as an LP; it's great from start to finish, no question. I'd love to own it on Compact Disc, but it's too unreasonable to buy at a vendor cost of $99.00 minimum, used. This is capitalism at its worst. However, if a current owner who isn't trying to pay off gambling debts or fund a student's college tuition wishes to sell a good, or new, CD of "Blam," please do let me know.

This CD has a diverse set of music around a common theme. It's great music and thought provoking social commentary at the same time. One of my all time favorites.

There's a lot of references to family on this record. They're not just talking about their own brotherhood, but that of the world. The title is a Biblical reference--and a moral dilemma. Are we our brothers' keepers? Listen to the music to hear this legendary group's answers. The music's heart wrenching and uplifting. Another great job by a legendary family that I'd call brothers of my heart.

As the title suggests, "Brother's Keeper" mixes social awareness and messages of hope and tolerance with the Neville Brothers' usual eclectic collection of grooves. It's music that you can dance and sing to, but it also makes you aware that there's a world out there that isn't always pretty. And it urges the listener to get involved in that world.

The best example of socially aware funk is "Brother Jake," which laments the death of a character claimed by the streets. It rocks powerfully, with a gospel tinge, but there's nothing mindless about it. It's a strong portrait of a tough world that takes lives.

"Sons and Daughters" tiptoes toward rap. Charles Neville's powerful oration warns us not to forsake the young people, our lifeblood, whom he says are "being led to the slaughter." It's an indictment of indifference to the rifts in society that could one day blow it apart. At the end it strays from the spoken word, mixing in a spare, powerful guitar and Charles' voice rising toward song with the words, "You can't stop/running water/You can't hide/the fire that burns inside..."

There's also balladry that gives Aaron Neville a chance to display his unique sense of soul and his wonderful falsetto, in "Fearless." "Jah" delivers a reggae feel, and the title cut blends another testimony by Charles with the biblical admonition to "be my brother's keeper, though he be strong or weaker. I got to lend a helping hand."

For straight-ahead gospel, there's "Steer Me Right," which shows off the band's on-the-money harmonies and straight-from-the-gut emotion.

Listening to a Neville Brothers release is like dropping by on a warm Friday evening to hang out with a great group of friends who are never boring and who have a million ways to deliver a point. This is a neglected release, but it shouldn't be. Pick it up and enjoy a few grooves packed with a message.

I test music purchases in a simple way. You hear 1 good song, think about buying, but too many things just have 1 good cut. 2 good songs, OK, maybe a good bet, worth a shot. 3 good songs, drop down your hard earned money. Any more than that, you better not wait it might go out of print. With Brother Blood, Sons & Daughters My Brothers Keeper, and the absolutely great Fearless, this is a must buy.

It's the Saturday of the week of Hurricane Katrina. I was listening to the community radio station in Boulder/Denver last night, KGNU.org. And I heard the most stunning song, that I came to learn was "Sons and Daughters" from "Brother's Keeper."
I came to this site, and appreciated what the reviewer Tyler from Denver said about the song, how it's an "indictment of indifference to the rifts in society that could one day blow it apart."
It appears that day has arrived.
Thankfully we have artists like the Neville Brothers to help us through.
I'm looking forward to hearing this entire CD.

Every old school collector needs to have this one in their collection. Not to collect dust but to share with the world.

All of the Isleys early work without the younger Isleys is just as good with them. But these early workouts are more raw-stripped down and pop-oriented. Ron Isley has a way of making country, and rock remakes sound like they were never before recorded. Not too many black artists can do that. To get a taste of the "Real Isleys" before the "Mr. Biggs" persona, get this with "Get into something", and "Givin' it back"

This album was a change of pace from all of the other soul albums of that day (heavier emphasis on lead guitar, covers of songs made famous by pop and country artists). It is awesome, especially their remake of "It's Too Late." A must for any true Isleys fan!

A completely good listen from beginning to end. The remakes of "Put a Little love in You Heart" and the title cut are pleasantly moving, as well as "Lay Away" and the better known "Work To Do" (this original version beats the Vanessa Williams remake by a mile)! An unknown classic is the haunting conclusion "Love Put Me on The Corner" which I defy anyone to listen to just once!

BROTHER BROTHER BROTHER is an album in which the Isleys soon-to-be platinum 3+3 formula really gels. Ernie, Marvin & Chris made appearances on previous T-Neck albums, but their talents were used to recycle way too many "It's Your Thing" riffs. This album blends the right amount of covers (the title track, "Sweet Season") and great original material ("Work To Do", "Layaway"). The 10 1/2 minute bluesy take on Carole King's "It's Too Late" is lively due to Ronald's soaring vocals and Ernie's wailing guitar. And the beautiful closer "Love Put Me On The Corner" is perhaps the first great original Isley ballad, and a huge improvement over the insipid ballads on the GET INTO SOMETHING album. BROTHER BROTHER BROTHER gave the Isley Brothers the sound that was used in full effect on their breakthrough album 3+3.

The last reviewer is wrong, this is one of the Nevilles best! They are as funkey as ever, maybe even more so. Check out the fast funky workout of Let My People Go, the drummer is really kicking!

Fly Like An Eagle is a standout as well. the Nevilles have never sounded better, get this one now!

Family Groove will not go down as the best Neville Brothers album, but it could prove quite popular nevertheless. While the Nevilles' distinctive New Orleans voodoo funk, such as on Yellow Moon, is slightly diluted here, there is still much to enjoy.

It is a solid and entertaining effort from start to finish and will disappoint few. Family Groove is probably more instantly accessible than their other albums, and it would make a great introduction for those unfamiliar with the kings of the Big Easy.

Take Me To Heart and I Can See It In Your Eyes are stand-out ballads, while the title track and Fly Like An Eagle are well executed cover versions. The bonus of course is Aaron Neville's peerless voice. Good value.

That being said, this is not my favorite of their CDs--and I do have most of them. This is a good intro to folks who've never heard the group before, though, and an excellent add to any collection.

I will never listen to Steve Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle" the same again. The Nevilles took I song I mostly ignored and turned it into something that really does fly. Aaron's gorgeous as always--and as much as I love him by himself, I like him better with the family around.

My favorites are "Yellow Moon" for the intense Nawlins feel to the music, "Brother's Keeper" for the intense social mission, and "Walking in the Shadow of Life" because it's a balance of both the two I mentioned before.

This is the pinnacle of the Neville Brother's New Orleans style. Own this and "The Wild Tchoupitoulas" and you've got their best-all you'll ever need. I am appalled to see this in the cut-out bins...and so few reviews. I got my most recent CD copy at a Pilot Travel Center for $5.

The Aaron Neville syrup aside, the other tunes on this disc are great. Fiyo On The Bayou is worth the price of admission alone. Hey Pocky Way is a great groove as well. This is the Neviiles album for me as it takes me back to the shows ion the late 80s and early 90s when all these songs were concert staples. Turn it up loud- even your neighbors will like it.

Only one song on this CD is good -- and it's very good! Iko is a favorite to anyone with a dance feever!

there are only 8 songs, mildy mediocre ones at best, the total run time is around 25 minutes...on that basis alone it is not worth the 6 bucks.

I bought this album years ago, I believe at the beginning of the '90's when it had been touted as one of the best albums of the previous decade. To look now and see it selling for $6 with only two amazon reviews is a little disconcerting. I can't imagine that the New Orleans R&B/Funk sound has ever been captured more perfectly in a studio environment. Four of these songs (Hey Pocky Way, Sweet Honey Dripper, Fire on the Bayou and Brother John/Iko Iko) are among the most rollicking and intense performances I've ever heard on record. Run Joe is an infectious midtempo rocker and the cover of Jimmy Cliff's ballad Sitting in Limbo is beautiful.

But wait, aren't there 8 tracks on the album? Unfortunately, yes. Aaron's two syrupy ballad covers are atrocious. Regardless of whether you like the songs in and of themselves (I don't), there can be no doubt that they destroy the momentum and pacing of what could have been a perfect album. In the CD era, I couldn't lunge for my remote fast enough to forward through those tracks. But in the iPod era, no problem: slice 'em, dice 'em and leave them on the cutting room floor. For this price, who cares if you're left w/ less than 30 minutes of music? Edited down, this can't be beat.

Buy it and do other potential buyers a service by not letting this go out of print.

NOBODY OUT TODAY CAN BEAT THE ISLEY BROTHERS STYLE!! ARTISTS TODAY DON'T HAVE THE SAME FIRE LIKE THE OLD CATS. KEEP DOING YOUR THING.

For the song "Coolin Me Out" alone worth having along with other great songs. And speaking of "Coolin Me Out" why haven't Sony release the Showdown album on cd yet. That was a great album back in 1978 and still rocks today. They release all the Isley Brothers 1970's stuff on cd at one time or another (even "Winner Takes All") which was also a great album. But overall this is great compilation of some of their great funk jams which many people tend to forget. Also love the song "Who Loves You Better". Isley's Brothers Forever!!

you better bet i'm feeling good when i write about these wonderful brothers from cincinnati, ohio. this is one of the best comps out there dealing with funk this damn phat! the lead-off track, "showdown" proves this. to me, marvin isley is one of the most underrated bass players of all time. not that there ain't any other bass men out there, but marvin's bass playing has a style of its own. just listen to the bass pops on tracks like "i wanna be with you", "take me to the next phase", "the pride", and "tell me "when you need it again". high, phat, and funky is all it is. and let's not forget ernie isley's scorching solos on his fender strat! damn, this mother can jamm! his solos on "liquid love", "hope you feel better love", "who loves you better", and "climbing up the ladder" just blow the speakers out! in other words, all 14 songs kick major glass, and i'm not talkin' about the plastic kind, either.

When I was seven,"The Heat Is On" was out.People also call that the baby maker LP because of side two.That side overshadowed the first side,the funky and you know it side.Two of the three songs from the funky side are on this collection.You add three songs from the "Go For Your Guns" LP,five of the eight songs on "Showdown" (!),one song from "Harvest For The World" and two from "Winner Takes All" and you have one helluva disc! Pure,uncut funk.Kids think they have an inkling but sadly,this generation dosen't have a clue.

I'm on the case. I bought this anthology about 3 years ago and I still am amazed at how underrated the Isleys upbeat funk is. They are much heavier than the Commodores or the Gap Band and Ron Isley has one of the most distinctive voices in black music history, but it is the ensemble palying that makes this joint the sho shot. Check out the guitars on Climbin up the Ladder, or the lewd and nasty bass and keys on Liquid Love. Everyone always talks about their slow jams and they are spectacular but the fact that this is a basically a rock band probably started to turn many radio DJs away from them towards the end of the 70s. Rediscover one of America's best bands.

Never a weak track, this baby funks all the way. High energy funk throughout with the guitar effects the Isley Brothers were fameous for in the 1970's. You listen to this and say to yourself, why don't I listen to this more often? It doesn't have the Top 40 hit tracks of some of their other CD's but it has the most consistently powerful music all the way throught. You will groove on this.

If your kids come up to you and ask, "Dad, what is funk?" reach for this CD first. No words can explain it, but this music will.