Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Seldom do compilations, best-of collections, or even box sets capture the big picture on an artist in a way that's as definitive as the music they are attempting to chronicle. There's always something missing: a tape that didn't turn up and no decent vinyl copies around to copy from, or the licensing of a couple of essential tracks from another company fell through the legal cracks and didn't make the final lineup. Bottom line: definitive collections or box sets seldom are. But this one is. The Isley Brothers have been part of the musical landscape for such a long time, it's almost as if they had existed forever. Their musical history runs the gamut from early doo wop to proto-soul to funk to present-day R&B. Their reputation as a house-wrecking live act is superseded only by James Brown and a handful of other R&B performers. Their influence extends to the Beatles and to Jimi Hendrix, who served time in the Isley Brothers' band when he was still a scuffling youngster. They brought church music to the street and infused it with a pop sensibility that never lost its soulfulness. On this three-disc box set, listeners hear the story of that music and see an innovative group finally getting its due. Although the music on this set is cross-licensed from numerous companies and runs the entire scope of the Isley Brothers' career, it is not sequenced chronologically, or at least not on the opening disc. The earliest doo wop sides cut for a series of labels owned by George Goldner show up late in the game on disc one, which opens with the Brothers building up to a live version of "Shout" recorded at Yankee Stadium, followed by the original studio version of the classic. But nice examples of their work from their stints with RCA Victor, Wand, Motown, Atlantic, Cindy, Mark X, and Teenage set the stage perfectly for their own label masterworks on T-Neck. The true bonus of the early tracks on disc one are two tracks featuring Hendrix on guitar. Hearing 1965's "Move Over and Let Me Dance" is not unlike hearing Elvis Presley's Memphis Recording Service demos; the man is not yet a star, yet all the pieces are in place, waiting to happen.
Disc two -- covering 1971-1975 -- is where the Brothers hit their stride. They still crank out hits and take on unlikely tunes, truly making them their own. That the Isleys could take on material like the Seals & Crofts weenie "Summer Breeze" and make an R&B masterpiece out of it is still a marvel of creativity over form. Likewise, what they do with material from James Taylor, Todd Rundgren, and Stephen Stills is utterly transforming; they don't cover these songs so much as totally reinvent them in their style. The third disc picks up the story from 1976-1996, chock-full of great original material and loads of devastating guitar from Ernie Isley, a Hendrix disciple who learned it firsthand and almost single-handedly kept the style alive after Hendrix's death. As great and influential as the Isleys and their music have been these many decades, they have unfortunately never achieved the crossover success of Motown artists and other lesser lights of R&B. Their contribution to American music and to African-American culture is writ on this deluxe set, a box that should end up in every serious American music collection out there. Even if you already have some Isley Brothers in the stack, trade 'em in, because this one is the set you really need.
© Cub Koda /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R, Isley, Composer - R, Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Producer - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
Originally Released 1969 T-Neck Records
Bill Lacey, Re-Mastering Engineer - Hugo & Luigi, Producer - Mike Hartry, Re-Mastering Engineer - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer
Originally released 1959. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jimi Hendrix, Electric Guitar - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R, Isley, Composer - R, Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer
Originally Released 1964. All rights reserved by T-Neck Records
Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - George Patterson, Vocal - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - Herb Rooney, Piano - John Mosley, Saxophone - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - Woody Johnson, Drums
Originally Released 1969. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - Ernie Isley, Drums - George Patterson, Tenor Saxophone - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - Herb Rooney, Piano - John Mosley, Saxophone - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Producer - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
Originally Released 1969. All rights reserved by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Bernard Purdie, Drums - Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - Ernie Isley, Drums - George Patterson, Arranger - George Patterson, Tenor Saxophone - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer
Originally Released 1970 T-Neck Records
Bernard Purdie, Drums - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Bass - George Patterson, Tenor Saxophone - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer
(P) 1997 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Chester Woodward, Electric Guitar - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - Ernie Isley, Drums - George Patterson, Arranger - George Patterson, Tenor Saxophone - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Percussion - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R, Isley, Composer - R, Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Truman Thomas, Organ
Originally Released 1970 T-Neck Records
Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - Ernie Isley, Bass - George Patterson, Arranger - George Patterson, Tenor Saxophone - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R, Isley, Composer - R, Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Woody Johnson, Drums
Originally Released 1969 T-Neck Records
Al Quaglieri, Producer - Darcy Proper, Mastering Engineer - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Debra Parkinson, Mastering Engineer - O' Kelly Isley, Composer - O' Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Producer - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Steve Berkowitz, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
DISC 2
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - George Moreland, Drums - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rocky, Congas - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Truman Thomas, Organ
(P) 1973 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - James Taylor, Composer - James Taylor, Lyricist - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - Rocky, Congas - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer - Truman Thomas, Organ
(P) 1973 T-Neck Records, Inc.
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - George Moreland, Drums - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Karl Potter, Congas - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Co-Producer - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - Robert Margouleff, Programmer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer - Truman Thomas, Organ
(P) 1975 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Carole King, Composer - Carole King, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Guitar - George Moreland, Drums - Karl Potter, Congas - Marvin Isley, Bass - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - Truman Thomas, Organ
(P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - George Moreland, Drums - George Moreland, Percussion - Karl Potter, Congas - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer
(P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - George Moreland, Drums - Karl Potter, Congas - Marvin Isley, Bass - Milton Westley, Organ - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer
(P) 1972 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
B. Withers, Composer - B. Withers, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - George Moreland, Percussion - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Karl Potter, Congas - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
Originally Released 1971 T-Neck Records
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Guitar - George Moreland, Drums - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Karl Potter, Congas - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1974 T-Neck Records
Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Guitar - George Moreland, Drums - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Karl Potter, Congas - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Marvin Isley, Bass - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Todd Rundgren, Composer - Todd Rundgren, Lyricist - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1974 T-Neck Records
Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Christopher Jasper, Composer - Christopher Jasper, Lyricist - Ernest Isley, Composer - Ernest Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - Kent Duncan, Mastering Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - Robert Margouleff, Programmer - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Arranger - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer
(P) 1975 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Darrell Crofts, Composer - Darrell Crofts, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Jimmy Seals, Composer - Jimmy Seals, Lyricist - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - Robert Margouleff, Programmer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - The Isley Brothers, Performer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1973 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Producer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - Robert Margouleff, Producer - Robert Margouleff, Programmer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1974 T-Neck Records
Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Christopher Jasper, Composer - Christopher Jasper, Lyricist - Ernest Isley, Composer - Ernest Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - Robert Margouleff, Programmer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chester Woodward, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Chris Jasper, Piano - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Gary Jones, Congas - George Moreland, Drums - George Moreland, Percussion - George Patterson, Arranger - J. Taylor, Composer - J. Taylor, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Bass - Milton Westley, Organ - The Isley Brothers, Performer
Originally Released 1971 T-Neck Records
Buck Clarke, Congas - Chester Woodard, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Gary Jones, Congas - George Moreland, Drums - George Moreland, Percussion - John Mosley, Flute - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Producer - Milton Westley, Organ - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Stephen Stills, Composer - Stephen Stills, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer
Originally Released 1971. All rights reserved by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
DISC 3
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Piano - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1976 T-Neck Records
Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Composer - Chris Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Co-Producer - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1976 T-Neck Records
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - John Holbrook, Recording Engineer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Michael H. Brauer, Mixing Engineer - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ryan Hewitt, 2nd Engineer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Everett Collins, Drums - John Holbrook, Recording Engineer - Kevin Jones, Congas - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Bass - Michael H. Brauer, Mixing Engineer - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ryan Hewitt, 2nd Engineer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment
Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Composer - Chris Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1983 T-Neck Records
Chris Jasper, Arranger - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Composer - Chris Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Arranger - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Marvin Isley, Arranger - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1985 T-Neck Records, Inc.
Angela Winbush, Arranger - Angela Winbush, Keyboards - Angela Winbush, Producer - Angela Winbush, Programmer - C. Mayfield, Composer - C. Mayfield, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ronald Isley, Arranger - Ronald Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1994 Warner Bros. Records Inc.
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Everett Collins, Drums - John Holbrook, Recording Engineer - Kevin Jones, Congas - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Bass - Michael H. Brauer, Mixing Engineer - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ryan Hewitt, 2nd Engineer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Everett Collins, Drums - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Engineer - Robert Margouleff, Programmer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Tom Ruff, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1977 T-Neck Records
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Engineer - Malcolm Cecil, Programmer - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Percussion - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1976 T-Neck Records
Chris Jasper, Composer - Chris Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Bass - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1977 T-Neck Records, Inc.
C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Everett Collins, Drums - John Holbrook, Recording Engineer - Kevin Jones, Congas - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Bass - Michael H. Brauer, Mixing Engineer - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Ryan Hewitt, 2nd Engineer - The Isley Brothers, Performer
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
Seldom do compilations, best-of collections, or even box sets capture the big picture on an artist in a way that's as definitive as the music they are attempting to chronicle. There's always something missing: a tape that didn't turn up and no decent vinyl copies around to copy from, or the licensing of a couple of essential tracks from another company fell through the legal cracks and didn't make the final lineup. Bottom line: definitive collections or box sets seldom are. But this one is. The Isley Brothers have been part of the musical landscape for such a long time, it's almost as if they had existed forever. Their musical history runs the gamut from early doo wop to proto-soul to funk to present-day R&B. Their reputation as a house-wrecking live act is superseded only by James Brown and a handful of other R&B performers. Their influence extends to the Beatles and to Jimi Hendrix, who served time in the Isley Brothers' band when he was still a scuffling youngster. They brought church music to the street and infused it with a pop sensibility that never lost its soulfulness. On this three-disc box set, listeners hear the story of that music and see an innovative group finally getting its due. Although the music on this set is cross-licensed from numerous companies and runs the entire scope of the Isley Brothers' career, it is not sequenced chronologically, or at least not on the opening disc. The earliest doo wop sides cut for a series of labels owned by George Goldner show up late in the game on disc one, which opens with the Brothers building up to a live version of "Shout" recorded at Yankee Stadium, followed by the original studio version of the classic. But nice examples of their work from their stints with RCA Victor, Wand, Motown, Atlantic, Cindy, Mark X, and Teenage set the stage perfectly for their own label masterworks on T-Neck. The true bonus of the early tracks on disc one are two tracks featuring Hendrix on guitar. Hearing 1965's "Move Over and Let Me Dance" is not unlike hearing Elvis Presley's Memphis Recording Service demos; the man is not yet a star, yet all the pieces are in place, waiting to happen.
Disc two -- covering 1971-1975 -- is where the Brothers hit their stride. They still crank out hits and take on unlikely tunes, truly making them their own. That the Isleys could take on material like the Seals & Crofts weenie "Summer Breeze" and make an R&B masterpiece out of it is still a marvel of creativity over form. Likewise, what they do with material from James Taylor, Todd Rundgren, and Stephen Stills is utterly transforming; they don't cover these songs so much as totally reinvent them in their style. The third disc picks up the story from 1976-1996, chock-full of great original material and loads of devastating guitar from Ernie Isley, a Hendrix disciple who learned it firsthand and almost single-handedly kept the style alive after Hendrix's death. As great and influential as the Isleys and their music have been these many decades, they have unfortunately never achieved the crossover success of Motown artists and other lesser lights of R&B. Their contribution to American music and to African-American culture is writ on this deluxe set, a box that should end up in every serious American music collection out there. Even if you already have some Isley Brothers in the stack, trade 'em in, because this one is the set you really need.
© Cub Koda /TiVo
About the album
- 3 disc(s) - 50 track(s)
- Total length: 03:41:08
- Main artists: The Isley Brothers
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B
Originally Released 1957, 1958, 1959 Under License From Rhino Records, Inc. By Arrangement With Warner Special Products, 1959 All Rights Reserved By BMG Entertainement, 1962 Courtesy of Global Licensing Inc., 1964 EMI Records, 1965 Warner Special P
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.