The Essential Isley Brothers

Performer: The Isley Brothers
Artist: The Funk Brothers; Jimi Hendrix
Engineer: Malcolm Cecil; Robert Margouleff...
Producer: Ronald Isley; Bert Berns; Hugo Peretti; Rudolph Isley; O'Kelly Isley; R. Kelly; Ernie Isley; Angela Winbush; Marvin Isley; Chris Jasper; Lamont Dozier; Luigi Creatore; Brian Holland; Bert Berns; Hugo Peretti; R. Kelly; Angela Winbush; Leo Sacks (Compilation)...
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: The Isley Brothers: Ernie Isley (acoustic 6-string guitar, bass instrument); Chris Jasper (piano); Marvin Isley (bass instrument); O'Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley. Personnel: Chris Jasper (vocals, grand piano, electric piano, Clavinet, ARP synthesizer, tambourine, percussion, background vocals); Ronald Isley (vocals, background vocals); Charles "Skip" Pitts, Jimi Hendrix (guitar); Ernie Isley (acoustic guitar, acoustic 12-string guitar, electric guitar, drums, congas, maracas, timbales, percussion, background vocals); John Mosley (flute); Milton Westley, Truman Thomas (organ); George Moreland (drums, percussion); Buck Clarke, Karl Potter, Rocky, Gary Jones (congas); Marvin Isley (cowbells, wood block, percussion, background vocals); Malcolm Cecil, Robert Margouleff (programming); O'Kelly Isley, Rudolph Isley (background vocals). Additional personnel: Jimi Hendrix, The Funk Brothers. Liner Note Author: Rashod D. Ollison. Photographers: Don Hunstein; Waring Abbott; John Bellissimo; Bob Gruen. Arrangers: Ronald Isley; Rudolph Isley; O'Kelly Isley; Ernie Isley; Marvin Isley; Chris Jasper; George Patterson; Teachco Wilshire. The Isley Brothers are one of the most important groups in R&B history. They modernized the concept of the black singing group, and broke new ground with hits that were either influenced by or borrowed from a variety of musical styles. In addition to performing many of their own songs, the Isleys perform soulful renditions of Seals & Crofts's "Summer Breeze" and Stephen Stills's "Love the One You're With" on this ESSENTIAL collection. The two-disc set presents the original 1962 version of "Twist and Shout" and other latter-day Isley favorites such as the funky "It's Your Thing" and the bold "Fight the Power." Another highlight of this compilation is "Move Over and Let Me Dance," featuring a rare guest appearance by Jimi Hendrix. Boasting 34 tracks that span from '59 to '96, THE ESSENTIAL ISLEY BROTHERS is an excellent introduction to this inimitable band.

Down Beat (p.76) - 4.5 stars out of 5 - "[T]he Isleys have earned a prominent place in the pantheon of r&b."

A semi-successful Motown vocal group in the early '60s, The Isley Brothers' historical importance would be assured if only for their original version of "Twist and Shout," and the fact that they provided Jimi Hendrix with one of his first big breaks. The Isleys surpassed their original success, however, with an innovative blend of soul and psychedelic rock that provided them with huge album sales throughout the '70s. By the time the '80s rolled around, they had reinvented themselves yet again, this time as sensual, Quiet Storm-style contemporary R&B balladeers.

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