The Isley Brothers: At Their Very Best auf 2 LPs

The Isley Brothers ist eine amerikanische Soul-/Funk-Band, die in den 1950er Jahren von den drei Brüdern O’Kelly, Rudolph und Ronald Isley als Gospelchor in Cincinnati, Ohio gegründet wurde. Mit dem vierten Bruder Vernon bildeten sie ein Quartett, bis dieser bei einem Autounfall ums Leben kam.

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The Isley Brothers have delighted audiences since the 1950’s and are celebrating their eighth decade in show business. Morphing from their roots in gospel and doo-wop through funk, rock and then, finally, into slow-jam R&B, the Isley Brothers remain one of the most fascinating groups of all time.

This album contains some of the most life-affirming music ever recorded: Ronald Isley’s keening yelp offering strength and sensitivity as it’s supported by brothers Rudolph and O’Kelly. Our collection picks up their story in 1969. By this time, they had been recording for 12 years for many legendary labels, from RCA, to Atlantic, to Motown.

The brothers decided to go it alone on their own label, T-Neck. The repurposed Isley’s broke onto the scene with the US R&B No. 1 / Hot 100 No. 2, »It’s Your Thing«. The album of the same name was a Top 30 smash and the group’s decision was vindicated. »It’s Your Thing« marked a meeting point of influences: Sly Stone, James Brown, gospel and one-time group member Jimi Hendrix, laying the template for the Isley’s next decade, from the gritty rock covers of Givin’ It Back to the era-defining ‘3 + 3’ (with the formal addition of the two younger Isleys, Ernie and Marvin, plus brother-in-law Chris Jasper).

After the 1972 release of »Brother, Brother, Brother« (featuring the classic »Work To Do«) T-Neck moved to CBS leading to their first Platinum-selling album (1973’s ‘3+3’). Produced with Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, ‘3+3’ was practically prescribed to every soul boy in the UK (witness Wham's cover of »If You Were There«). For the Isleys to take their old R&B hit, »Who’s That Lady« and turn it into hard-rocking psychedelic soul was a blazing statement of their intent. Their version of Seals and Croft’s pretty »Summer Breeze« became one of their biggest hits, with Ronald and Ernie stamping their authority on the ballad.

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»Knowledge is power.​ I’m a witness to that.​ Our parents wanted us to have a complete musical education.​ They exposed us to everything, classical to country, standards, show tunes.​« (Ronald Isley, Mojo Magazine, 2000)