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Try as companies might, a perfect anthology framing the famous family of funk still manages to elude even the most fickle of aficionados. While 2003's Ultimate Collection is an expansive look at the group's career, it most certainly isn't as thorough as 1999's outstanding Rhino box set, which is simply too rich to satisfy the curious or casual listener. Quite simply, it's nearly impossible to include the group's greatest moments on one disc, and most two-disc sets have a tendency to become ripe with filler. While The Essential Isley Brothers is no exception to the rule, it certainly is the most accessible when measured against the aforementioned anthologies. The track sequencing is erratic but covers many of the group's anthems right away on disc one, the most jarring contrast being between the opening pre-fuzzed good times of "Twist and Shout" and the fuzz-guitar orgy that became "That Lady." Disc two covers every single permutation of the group's later years: from the '80s quiet storm of Isley/Jasper/Isley's "Caravan of Love" to Mr. Biggs' collaborative work with R. Kelly in the early part of the 2000s. To include these later projects serves to give the listener a comprehensive survey of the Isley family evolution over the past five decades, but not much else would warrant the inclusion of "Down Low," especially in contrast with so many of their ultimate anthems. Overlooking that fact, you'll find yourself subconsciously (or intentionally) head-bobbing or toe-tapping along with these discs through and through, and rightfully so, as this is a first-class compilation that casual listeners and loyal devotees will be more than satisfied with.
© Rob Theakston /TiVo
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E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Truman Thomas, Organ - George Moreland, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass - Rocky, Congas - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
(P) 1973 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
(P) 1973 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer
(P) 1974 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Christopher Jasper, Lyricist - Christopher Jasper, Composer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Bruce Dickinson, Producer - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Composer - Malcolm Cecil, Co-Producer
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Christopher Jasper, Composer - Christopher Jasper, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist
(P) 1978 Sony Music Entertainment
Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Truman Thomas, Organ - Marvin Isley, Bass - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - George Moreland, Drums - Carole King, Composer - Carole King, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Karl potter, Congas
(P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - George Moreland, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - MARVIN ISLEY, Producer - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Producer - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Karl potter, Congas
(P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Bass - Chris Jasper, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Composer - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist
(P) 1976 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
D. Crofts, Composer - D. Crofts, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - J. Seals, Composer - J. Seals, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Background Vocal - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
(P) 1973 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Bruce Dickinson, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Co-Producer
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer
(P) 1974 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Bruce Dickinson, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Malcolm Cecil, Co-Producer
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - Bernard Purdie, Drums - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Bass - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - George Patterson, Tenor Saxophone
(P) 1997 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Tony Martell, Executive Producer - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Truman Thomas, Organ - George Moreland, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ronald Isley, Producer
Orignally recorded 1969. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - Hugo Peretti, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Luigi Creatore, Producer - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
Originally Released 1959. All Rights Reserved by BMG Music
DISC 2
Curtis Pope, Trumpet - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Woody Johnson, Drums - Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Producer - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - John Mosley, Saxophone - Ernie Isley, Producer - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - Herb Rooney, Piano - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - George Patterson, Vocal
Originally Released 1969. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Charles Pitts, Electric Guitar - Greg Philpotts, Baritone Saxophone - Curtis Pope, Trumpet - John Mosley, Saxophone - Ernie Isley, Drums - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - Herb Rooney, Piano - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ronald Isley, Producer - George Patterson, Tenor Saxophone
Originally Released 1969. All rights reserved by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - George Moreland, Drums - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Milton Westley, Organ - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Karl potter, Congas
(P) 1972 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Isley Brothers, Performer - Stephen Stills, Composer - Stephen Stills, Lyricist - Gary Jones, Congas - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - George Moreland, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - Chester Woodard, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Producer - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Milton Westley, Organ - Buck Clarke, Congas - John Mosley, Flute - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Producer - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
Originally Released 1971. All rights reserved by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Tony Martell, Executive Producer - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Performer - H. Kelly, Composer - H. Kelly, Lyricist - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - George Moreland, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - Milton Westley, Organ - C. Otis, Composer - C. Otis, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ronald Isley, Producer - Karl potter, Congas
(P) 1972 Sony Music Entertainment
S. Allen, Lyricist - S. Allen, Composer - M. Dickerson, Composer - M. Dickerson, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ernest Isley, Guitar - L. Oskar, Composer - L. Oskar, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Producer - George Moreland, Percussion - George Moreland, Drums - John Mosley, Flute - Milton Westley, Organ - Gary Jones, Congas - Ronald Isley, Producer - Chris Jasper, Piano - The Isley Brothers, Performer - H. R. Brown, Composer - H. R. Brown, Lyricist - C. W. Miller, Composer - C. W. Miller, Lyricist - L. Jordan, Composer - L. Jordan, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - H. Scott, Composer - H. Scott, Lyricist
Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Percussion - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Congas - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
(P) 1978 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Percussion - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Congas - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Drums - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist
(P) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Christopher Jasper, Lyricist - Christopher Jasper, Composer - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Arranger - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer
(P) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Christopher Jasper, Composer - Christopher Jasper, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Arranger - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Composer - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer
(P) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - O. Isley, Composer - O. Isley, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Percussion - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - MARVIN ISLEY, Producer - Ernie Isley, Producer - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - O'Kelly Isley, Producer - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - R. Isley, Composer - R. Isley, Lyricist - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Producer - Chris Jasper, Congas - Chris Jasper, Keyboards - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Producer - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal
(P) 1980 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Christopher Jasper, Composer - Christopher Jasper, Lyricist - The Isley Brothers, Producer - The Isley Brothers, Performer - Chris Jasper, Background Vocal - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Tambourine - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - MARVIN ISLEY, Background Vocal - MARVIN ISLEY, Bass - Ernie Isley, Composer - Ernie Isley, Background Vocal - Ernie Isley, Electric Guitar - Ernie Isley, Lyricist - Ernie Isley, 12 String Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Drums - Ernie Isley, Congas - Ernie Isley, Bass - O'Kelly Isley, Background Vocal - O'Kelly Isley, Composer - O'Kelly Isley, Lyricist - Robert Margouleff, Co-Producer - Rudolph Isley, Composer - Rudolph Isley, Background Vocal - Rudolph Isley, Lyricist - Marvin Isley, Composer - Marvin Isley, Lyricist - Malcom Cecil, Co-Producer - Ronald Isley, Vocal - Ronald Isley, Background Vocal - Ronald Isley, Composer - Ronald Isley, Lyricist
(P) 1983 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
E. Isley, Composer - E. Isley, Lyricist - Isley Jasper Isley, Vocal - Isley Jasper Isley, Performer - Chris Jasper, Producer - Chris Jasper, Percussion - Chris Jasper, Piano - Chris Jasper, Synthesizer - M. Isley, Composer - M. Isley, Lyricist - C. Jasper, Composer - C. Jasper, Lyricist - MARVIN ISLEY, Producer - Ernie Isley, Guitar - Ernie Isley, Percussion - Ernie Isley, Producer - Ernie Isley, Drums - Bruce Dickinson, Producer - Marvin Isley, Percussion - Marvin Isley, Bass
(P) 1985 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Lafayette Carthon, Performer - Various, Performer - Peter Mokran, Performer - R. Kelly, Performer - R. Kelly, Producer - R. Kelly, Composer - R. Kelly, Lyricist - Ronald Isley, Performer
(P) 1995 Zomba Recording LLC
Album review
Try as companies might, a perfect anthology framing the famous family of funk still manages to elude even the most fickle of aficionados. While 2003's Ultimate Collection is an expansive look at the group's career, it most certainly isn't as thorough as 1999's outstanding Rhino box set, which is simply too rich to satisfy the curious or casual listener. Quite simply, it's nearly impossible to include the group's greatest moments on one disc, and most two-disc sets have a tendency to become ripe with filler. While The Essential Isley Brothers is no exception to the rule, it certainly is the most accessible when measured against the aforementioned anthologies. The track sequencing is erratic but covers many of the group's anthems right away on disc one, the most jarring contrast being between the opening pre-fuzzed good times of "Twist and Shout" and the fuzz-guitar orgy that became "That Lady." Disc two covers every single permutation of the group's later years: from the '80s quiet storm of Isley/Jasper/Isley's "Caravan of Love" to Mr. Biggs' collaborative work with R. Kelly in the early part of the 2000s. To include these later projects serves to give the listener a comprehensive survey of the Isley family evolution over the past five decades, but not much else would warrant the inclusion of "Down Low," especially in contrast with so many of their ultimate anthems. Overlooking that fact, you'll find yourself subconsciously (or intentionally) head-bobbing or toe-tapping along with these discs through and through, and rightfully so, as this is a first-class compilation that casual listeners and loyal devotees will be more than satisfied with.
© Rob Theakston /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 34 track(s)
- Total length: 02:33:48
- Main artists: The Isley Brothers
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B
Originally Released 1962 Wand, 1969, 1970, 1971 Sony Music Entertainment Inc., (P) 1995 Zomba Recording LLC, 1996 The Island Def Jam Music Group, 1972-1980, 1983, 1985, 2004 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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