Funk Brothers Music

The long version of "Stomp", the shake-yo-booty title track, Louis Johnson showing off why he's recognized as one of the best bassists of all time...perhaps the Brothers' finest moment in their considerable recording career. "Treasure" is a way underrated love song, "Wiggle" sounds like its title. All around, a really fun time from a sophisticated funk group at the top of their game.

A great disc from the Brothers Johnson. My favorites: Stomp, Treasure and Light up the Night! Oh, yes!! Five stars!!

The cd is great Ive been looking for the cd for about 4yrs I love it thanks so much jeff

If you enjoy Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" and "Thriller", the work of Rod Temperton and Heatwave, GQ, The Sylvers and a number of other Soul/Pop/Disco acts from the mid 70's to early 80's who produced tight, brief albums with 8 or 9 cuts and no filler, covering a wide range of moods, textures and grooves all within the confines of about 30-40 minutes, then this 4th LP by George and Louis Johnson is exactly what you want. Often (and unjustly) chided for the super smooth, polished production of Maestro Quincy Jones the Brothers had a terrific run of singles and LP's in the late 70's and early 80's with this 1980 release being thier last big hit; rightly so with stellar tracks like the title cut, "Stomp!" and "U Make Me Wanna Wiggle" leading things off. There is also a beautiful jazz influence on the ballads heard here with the gorgeous instrumental "Smilin' On Ya'" virtually inventing what is now known as "smooth jazz". Another flawless effort from one of the greatest production/performance teams in music history.

If you've listened to all of Q's productions, not to mention Rod Temperton's compositions and the brothers' other works, you won't be surprised to find that this album is just as perfect. Possibly the best of all their works, this album features smooth, jazzy funk---music you can't stop dancing to.

STOMP - Killer, killer song...makes you want to stomp all night

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT - Smooth, funky song with awesome horns and lovely background vocals

YOU MAKE ME WANNA WIGGLE - Catchy and funky little number

TREASURE - Smooth slow jam, powered by the genius of Rod Temperton and Richard Heath's lead vocals

THIS HAD TO BE - Killer funk epic, with awesome synthesizers...backgrounds and co-writing provided by Michael Jackson

ALL ABOUT THE HEAVEN - Another slow jam with the smooth vocals of George allowing you to drift up into the clouds

SMILIN' ON YA - Nice instrumental with the great Jerry Hey on trumpet; co-written by Mr. Greg Phillinganes, a frequent collaborator with the Jacksons, Lionel Richie, and others

CLOSER TO THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE - Nice and simple song with great guitars powering this mid-tempo groove

CELEBRATIONS - The great Paulinho DaCosta does his thing on this groovy instrumental

This CD is definitely worth the purchase for all BJ fans, Q fans, and fans of general great funk from the good ole days...

Aaron's vocals sounded just like he was singing at a close family members funeral. He felt everything! My husband and I are using this track for our funerals, along with the track right after.

I'm a fan of funk and R&B, and this CD is one of my favorites. The drums and percussion are especially inspiring, and there is a nice mix of slow and fast tunes, both as straight up and ballads.

The Nevilles defy description... they move from r&b to funk to
reggaeto rock without missing a beat....for fans, this is a must have, as it captures their live performances extremely well.....If you have a chance, go see them live....

This is an excellent live album from 1994 that showcases each of the brothers' talents. As well as the other band members. A lot of the songs are over 5 and 6 minutes long which leaves some room for some great jamming. This album is a must for any fan, it will make you wish that you could see them live, if you haven't already. "Her African Eyes" is a great instrumental by Charles which showcases his sax playing....really wonderful.

After 8 years of extraordinary darkness the Obama-nation is gettin' its groove back on and this cd is an essential!
Just HOT folks...get ya some and take a trip back in time that is real similar to what America is feelin' now...;)
G

Great Cd at a great price and delievered very quickly. Who can ask for more?

One of the feel good funky bands of the 70's , this particular album had several great floorshakers, and some really smooth instrumentals, one of the essential CD's to own in the collection ....TIMELESS

I wore out my vinyl recording of this years ago. I can't tell you how many thousand of times I played "Thunder Thumbs and Lightnin' Licks" over and over again. It's still may favorite funk tune of all time. I love the contrast of the laid back groove to the all out funk in your face. Follow that up with "Get the Funk Out Ma Face" and I'll guarantee you won't be sitting still. Love the brass too. Not so many groups around nowadays with brass sections that were a staple of yesteryear.

George and Louis Johnson were all of 22 and 20 when they released this tight, masterful and joyous debut LP, and considering the quality and depth of these proceedings, their age and accomplishment is all the more impressive. 9 tracks, 35 minutes and more good music than 20 bloated, 75 minute discs released by most modern recording acts. "Tomorrow" (later remade by a young Tevin Campbell) is getting much love on my home stereo right now and the slithery, creeping funk of "Land Of Ladies" and "The Devil" continues to massage my ears at least once a day! A Classic from a terrific, underrated band that should not be forgotten.

The album is good. "Strawberry Letter 23" however, blows everything else away! For once, I'm rating a entire disc on one song! Five stars...

P.S., I didn't know that the song "Strawberry Letter 23" was a cover. The song was originally done by someone named "Shuggie Otis?" I've gotta find the original and check that out for myself!

8 tracks, 32 minutes and no filler in sight. This funk/soul/pop gem was released at the height of the disco era but doesn't sound dated, trite or embarrassing as so many LP's from that period do. Quincy Jones' pristine production along with top-notch studio players ensure consistent quality and some of the deepest, funkiest grooves on record. The incomparable Louis Johnson never ceases to amaze the listener with his brilliant bass playing (the dominant instrument here) and the Shuggie Otis classic, "Strawberry Letter 23" is remade here in a sublime, jazzy fashion with a fine vocal by George Johnson and a classic guitar break by Lee Ritenour. This is the second in a string of essential LP's The Brothers released in the 70's and is a testament to thier lasting popularity and influence. Essential.

"It was the era of the FUNK (Part II) with the smooth assistance of 'The God Father of Record Production,' Mr. Quincy Jones... I will never forget my one chance meeting with "Q" back in the '90's, in an elevator at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center based in Los Angeles, California the largest nonprofit hospital in the western United States. I believe he was visiting his ill mother at the time or maybe it was for personal reason...if my memory services me well... "AnyWay," for me it was a moment frozen in time and he was very cool and so was I too (careful not to freak him out...), so I took the one and only opportunity after our friendly encounter and greeting and asked him so what really is the key to music? He kindly replied, as he held the elevator doors for a second before exiting... "Melody my friend, Melody is KING!""

--A. David Burleigh (aka: "Big Dave") an 'AmeriCanadian' Record Producre/ Artist/ Singer-Songwritre.

One of the more underrated releases of the 1970s - Brothers Johnson, and this disc in particular - have aged very, very well, which is more than you can say about 95% of their contemporaries. At the time, I know everyone noticed how great of a funk/r&b album it was - I had the album as a kid, and the magnificent cover of Shuggie Otis' "Strawberry Letter 23" was one of THE car radio hits of '77.

But I don't know if everyone noticed how THOUGHTFUL this stuff is, and the subtle sonic diversity underneath the grooves: fluid shifts from jazzy to danceable to folk/pastoral on the last tune, and through this broad musical range, the sense of rhythm and melody never fails. To pull this off and not come across as trendy, or pretentious is quite an accomplishment. These guys talent is never in question, but their musical and imaginative sense of adventure, combined with a genuine charm and sense of really enjoying what they were doing is what makes this disc sound fresh going on 30 years after it's original release.

It should be noted how specific the lyrical imagery is as well - at the time this disc was being made, times were getting a little weird, and the rather precise romanticism that emerges in the words here was - I think - another calculated move (and a good one): what might have seemed a little hippy-dippy in 1970 was a statement of calm, quiet defiance seven years later, at a time when cynicism or nihilism would have been the easier or more expected path to take - witness punk and disco - two contemporary musical movements that both produced some very interesting stuff, but also often got very soulless. All around - in words, music, groove and ambition, RIGHT ON TIME is a definite, late classic of the kind of West Coast r&b pioneered by Shuggie, Sly and Graham Central Station.

I don't know if Brothers Johnson's other releases quite hit the heights of this one, but with this release, they still accomplished far more than most.

-David Alston

This cd still holds up I'm happy to say. I give 5 stars to Strawberry Letter 23 and the whole cd is strong. Compares to Earth Wind and Fire. Quincy Jones produced this album and it shows. It's like jumping into a timemachine back to the late 70's, early 80's. If you like smooth, funky R&B then you should check this out. Unfortunately, they didn't do a lot more. They have one other release of new material and then a greatest hits package. Too bad. These guys seemed to have a lot of potential. Great fun. Buy and enjoy.

Like the lead-in story stated, it was absolutely criminal that it took this long for The Isley Brothers' "Showdown" to be released in the United States as a stand-alone album. After "The Heat Is On" and "Go for Your Guns" this is arguably the best of the group's legendary 3+3 era.

Like its predecessors ("3+3," "Live It Up," and "Harvest for the World," in addition to the previously mentioned), "Showdown" is great and creative in most spots. From the live concert feel of "Take Me to the Next Phase" to the laid-back, bass-slapping title track and "Coolin' Me Out" to the cool, clean ballad "Groove with You" to the bluesy "Ain't Givin' Up No Love" to the righteously funky "Rockin' with Fire," the album combines the fire of "Go for Your Guns" and the melodic offerings of "Harvest for the World."

While the group made several good to above-average follow-up albums, "Showdown" would rank as the last of the truly monster 3+3 sets. Get your hands on it while you can.

Excellant and should have others albums by the Isley Brothers such as Inside You and The Real Deal.

The CD is great the mix of music makes it a great buy. The up dated song of the old Sam Cooke song You Send ME was done by Manhattans was the Hit of the Cd for me. There is no bad songs no song on this CD is bad every one is worth the dollars to get this one I think it should be in everyones collection.

Great Music&Fantastic Price for Three Great Groups.Earth,Wind&Fire are Incredible.The Isley Brothers are Timeless.The Manhattens are A Classic Vocal Group.Great Songs Here full Of Soul&Feeling.Great production&Quality from Each Group.

I bought this CD after hearing "Harvest for the World" on the radio. I love that song to death. I like the fact that it sounds so funky and free. The song came out in the seventies, but it made me want to take out my bells and my peasant shirt, put some flowers in my hair, and spin around outside in the flowery fields like the black neo-hippie that I am! It only gets 4 stars because I really only dug one song, but they're the Isley Brothers, so it's automatically good...

The Isley Brothers have always been an underrated group from the 60's & 70's. Yet when you listen to this incredible collection of hits (It's Your Thing), (Fight the Power 1 & 2) etc., you will smile and rememeber . . . And more importantly realize how dynamic a group the Brothers Isley were. R&B has progressed nicely over the past 40 years thanks in great part to these talented performers. Thank you Isley Brothers. You are appreciated, trust me!

I"ve listened to the Isley Brothers, for years. When I go back and pull out their CD I know that I"m in for a treat. Rap, I don"t understand. I"m truely in love with the MOTOWN SOUND.

The Isley Brothers were one of Motowns most underated group. The group were described by critics as "electric" and "exciting" and anyone who witnessed their wild stage act would agree with this. The group had a handful of major hits on Motown and the most famous is easily THIS OLD HEART OF MINE (IS WEAK FOR YOU)- a fine soul classic! This compilation brings together their very finest work which includes TWIST AND SHOUT, I GUESS I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU and the instantly memroable, BEHIND A PAINTED SMILE (one of their best). A well rounded compilation showcasing their obvious but underated talents.

If you are going to buy one Isley Brothers album, don't make it this one as you will be disappointed. For example, their one song still receiving a lot of airplay after all these years, "This Old Heart of Mine", is an INSTRUMENTAL on this CD! From a vocal group!