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Three brothers, O'Kelly (b. 25 December 1937, d. 31 March 1986), Rudolph (b. 1 April 1939) and Ronald Isley (b. 21 May 1941), began singing gospel in their home-town of Cincinnati, USA, in the early 50s, accompanied by their brother Vernon, who died in a car crash around 1957. Moving to New York the following year, the trio issued one-off singles before being signed by the RCA Records production team, Hugo And Luigi. The Isleys had already developed a tight vocal unit, with Rudolph and O'Kelly supporting Ronald's strident tenor leads in a call-and-response style taken directly from the church. The self-composed 'Shout' - with a chorus based on an ad-libbed refrain that had won an enthusiastic response in concert - epitomized this approach, building to a frantic crescendo as the brothers screamed out to each other across the simple chord changes. 'Shout' sold heavily in the black market, and has since become an R&B standard, but RCA's attempts to concoct a suitable follow-up were unsuccessful.
The group switched labels to Wand in 1962, where they enjoyed a major hit with an equally dynamic cover version of the Top Notes' 'Twist And Shout', an arrangement that was subsequently copied by the Beatles. In the fashion of the times, the Isleys were forced to spend the next two years recording increasingly contrived rewrites of this hit, both on Wand and at United Artists. A brief spell with Atlantic Records in 1964 produced a classic R&B record, 'Who's That Lady?', but with little success. Tired of the lack of control over their recordings, the Isleys formed their own company, T-Neck Records, in 1964 - an unprecedented step for black performers. The first release on the label, 'Testify', showcased their young lead guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, and allowed him free rein to display his virtuosity and range of sonic effects. However, the record's experimental sound went unnoticed at the time, and the Isleys were forced to abandon both T-Neck and Hendrix, and sign a contract with Motown Records.
They were allowed little involvement in the production of their records and the group were teamed with the Holland/Dozier/Holland partnership, who effectively treated them as an extension of the Four Tops, and fashioned songs for them accordingly. This combination reached its zenith with 'This Old Heart Of Mine' in 1966, a major hit in the USA, and a belated chart success in Britain in 1968. UK listeners also reacted favourably to 'Behind A Painted Smile' and 'I Guess I'll Always Love You' when they were reissued at the end of the 60s. Such singles were definitive Motown: a driving beat, an immaculate house band and several impassioned voices; but although the Isleys' records always boasted a tougher edge than those by their stablemates, little of their work for Motown exploited their gospel and R&B heritage to the full.
Tired of the formula and company power games, the Isleys reactivated T-Neck in 1969, along with a change of image from the regulation mohair suits to a freer, funkier 'west coast' image, reflected in their choice of repertoire. At this point too, they became a sextet, adding two younger brothers, Ernie (b. 7 March 1952; guitar) and Marvin (bass), as well as a cousin, Chris Jasper (keyboards). While their mid-60s recordings were enjoying overdue success in Britain, the Isleys were scoring enormous US hits with their new releases, notably 'It's Your Thing' and 'I Turned You On'. These records sported a stripped-down funk sound, inspired by James Brown And The JBs, and topped with the brothers' soaring vocal harmonies. They issued a succession of ambitious albums in this vein between 1969 and 1972, among them a live double set that featured extended versions of their recent hits, and In The Beginning, a collection of their 1964 recordings with Jimi Hendrix. In the early 70s, the Isleys incorporated into their repertoire a variety of rock material by composers such as Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills and Carole King. Their dual role as composers and interpreters reached a peak in 1973 on 3+3, the first album issued via a distribution agreement with CBS Records.
The record's title reflected the make-up of the group at that time, with the three original vocalists supported by the new generation of the family. Ernie Isley's powerful, sustained guitarwork, strongly influenced by Jimi Hendrix, became a vital ingredient in the Isleys' sound, and was featured heavily on the album's lead single, 'That Lady', a revamped version of their unheralded 1964 single on Atlantic. 3+3 also contained soft soul interpretations of material by Seals And Croft, James Taylor and the Doobie Brothers. An important key track was the Isleys' own 'Highway Of My Life', which demonstrated Ronald's increasing mastery of the romantic ballad form. Having established a winning formula, the Isleys retained it throughout the rest of the 70s, issuing a succession of slick, impressive soul albums that were divided between startlingly tough funk numbers and subdued Ronald Isley ballads. The Heat Is On in 1975 represented the pinnacle of both genres; the angry lyrics of 'Fight The Power', a US Top 10 single, contrasted sharply with the suite of love songs on the album's second side, aptly summarized by the title of one of the tracks, 'Sensuality'. 'Harvest For The World' (1976) proved to be one of the Isleys' most popular recordings in Britain, with its stunning blend of dance rhythm, melody and social awareness (the song hit the charts in 1988 for theChristians). In the late 70s, the increasing polarization of the rock and disco markets ensured that while the Isleys continued to impress black record buyers, their work went largely unheard in the white mainstream. 'The Pride', 'Take Me To The Next Phase', 'I Wanna Be With You' and 'Don't Say Goodnight' all topped the specialist black music charts without registering in the US Top 30, and the group responded in kind, concentrating on dance-flavoured material to the exclusion of their ballads. 'It's A Disco Night', a UK hit in 1980, demonstrated their command of the idiom, but a growing sense of self-parody infected the Isleys' music in the early 80s.
Conscious of this decline, Ernie and Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper left the group in 1984 to form the successful Isley, Jasper, Isley combination. The original trio soldiered on, but the sudden death of O'Kelly Isley from a heart attack on 31 March 1986 brought their 30-year partnership to an end. Ronald and Rudolph dedicated their next release, Smooth Sailin', to him, and the album produced another black hit in Angela Wimbush's ballad, 'Smooth Sailin' Tonight'. Wimbush now assumed virtual artistic control over the group, and she wrote and produced their 1989 release Spend The Night, which was effectively a Ronald Isley solo album. The artistic innovations of the Isley Brothers, continued by the second generation of the family in Isley, Jasper, Isley, belie the conservatism of their releases since the late 70s.
Their 1996 release Mission To Please attempted to move them into the same smooth urban soul territory as Keith Sweat and Babyface. The group represented the apogee of gospel-inspired soul on their early hits, they pioneered the ownership of record labels by black artists, and invented a new funk genre with their blend of dance rhythms and rock instrumentation in the early 70s. Their series of US hits from the 50s to the 90s is one of the major legacies of black American music.
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Copyright Muze UK Ltd. 1989 - 1998
1. Hello It's Me 2. Groove With You 3. For the Love of You, Pts. 1 & 2 4. All in My Lover's Eyes 5. Voyage to Atlantis 6. I Once Had Your Love (And I Can't Let Go) 7. Footsteps in the Dark, Pts. 1 & 2 |
8. Sensuality, Pts. 1 & 2 9. Make Me Say It Again Girl, Pts. 1 & 2 10. Summer Breeze 11. Between the Sheets 12. At Your Best (You Are Love), Pts. 1 & 2 13. How Lucky I Am, Pts. 1 & 2 |
Floatin' On Your Love Whenever You're Ready Let's Lay Together Tears Can I Have A Kiss (For Old Times' Sake)? |
Mission To Please You Holding Back The Years Make Your Body Sing Let's Get Intimate Slow Is The Way |
Showdown Liquid Love (1 & 2) I Wanna Be With You (1 & 2) Who Loves You Better (1 & 2) The Pride (1 & 2) Take Me To The Next Phase (1 & 2) Hope You Feel Better (1 & 2) |
The Heat Is On (1 & 2) Ain't Givin' Up No Love Tell Me When You Need It Again (1 & 2) Climbin' Up The Ladder (1 & 2) Winner Takes All Coolin' Me Out (1 & 2) Fun And Games |
Brown Eyed Girl Hello It's Me Let's Fall In Love (1 & 2) You're The Key To My Heart You're Beside Me (1 & 2) I Once Had Your Love (And I Can't Let Go) Caravan Of Love |
All In My Lover's Eyes Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Make Me Say It Again Girl (1 & 2) Voyage To Atlantis Choosey Lover Lay Lady Lay Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love) (1 & 2) |
Get My Licks In No Axe To Grind Searching For A Miracle Sensitive Lover Bedroom Eyes Lost In Your Love Whatever Turns You On |
Morning Love Dedicate This Song Red Hot Koolin' Out Brazilian Wedding Song (Setembro) I'll Be There 4 U Turn On The Demon |
Disc 1 It's Your Thing I Turned You On Love The One Your With Spill The Wine Lay-Away Pop That Thang Work To Do That Lady If You Were There What It Comes Down To Summer Breeze Live It Up-Pts 1 & 2 Midnight Sky-Pts. 1 & 2 Fight The Power-Pts. 1 & 2 For The Love Of You-Pts. 1 & 2 |
Disc 2 Harvest For The World Who Loves You Better The Pride-Pts. 1 & 2 Footsteps In The Dark-Pts. 1 & 2 Livin' In The Life Take Me To The Next Phase-Pts. 1 & 2 Groove With You I Wanna Be With You-Pts. 1 & 2 Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)-Pts. 1 & 2 Inside You Between The Sheets Choosey Lover Caravan Of Love |
Disc 1 It's Your Thing I Turned You On Love The One Your With Spill The Wine Lay-Away Pop That Thang Work To Do That Lady If You Were There What It Comes Down To Summer Breeze Live It Up-Pts 1 & 2 Midnight Sky-Pts. 1 & 2 Fight The Power-Pts. 1 & 2 For The Love Of You-Pts. 1 & 2 |
Disc 2 Harvest For The World Who Loves You Better The Pride-Pts. 1 & 2 Footsteps In The Dark-Pts. 1 & 2 Livin' In The Life Take Me To The Next Phase-Pts. 1 & 2 Groove With You I Wanna Be With You-Pts. 1 & 2 Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)-Pts. 1 & 2 Inside You Between The Sheets Choosey Lover Caravan Of Love |
Twist And Shout This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) There's No Love Left Take Some Time Out For Love Who Could Ever Doubt My Love I Guess I'll Always Love You I Hear A Symphony Nowhere To Run Just Ain't Enough Love Got To Have You Back Behind A Painted Smile |
Put Yourself In My Place It's Out Of The Question Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me While) Why When Love Is Gone Little Miss Sweetness All Because I Love You Tell Me It's Just A Rumor Baby My Love Is Your Love (Forever) That's The Way Love Is One Two Many Heartaches It's Your Thing |
This Old Heart Of Mine Twist And Shout Who's That Lady Please, Please, Please Stagger Lee |
Shake It Up With Me, Baby Long Tall Sally Surf And Shout Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go You'll Never Leave Him |
Spend The Night (Ce Soir) You'll Never Walk Alone One Of A Kind Real Woman | Come Together If You Ever Need Somebody Baby Come Back Home One Of A Kind (Reprise) |
Everything Is Alright Dish It Out It Takes A Good Woman Send A Message | Smooth Salin' Tonight Somebody I Used To Know Come My Way I Wish |
That Lady Groove With You For The Love Of You Footsteps In The Dark |
Between The Sheets It's Your Thing Fight The Power(1 & 2) Live It Up |
Choosey Lover Touch Me I Need Your Body Between The Sheets Let's Make Love Tonight |
Ballad For A Fallen Soldier Slow Down Children Gettin' Over Rock You Good |
Tonight Is The Night (If I Had You) I Once Had Your Love (And I Let Go) Hurry Up And Wait Young Girls |
Party Night Don't Let Up Who Said? |
Go All The Way (1 & 2) Say You Will (1 & 2) Pass It On (1 & 2) |
Here We Go Again (1 & 2) Don't Say Goodnight (1 & 2) The Belly Dancer (1 & 2) |
I Wanna Be With You (1 & 2) Liquid Love Winner Takes All Life In The City (1 & 2) It's A Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop) (1 & 2) What You Do To Me, (Can't You See) Let's Fall In Love (1 & 2) |
How Lucky I Am (1 & 2) You're The Key To My Heart You're Beside Me (1 & 2) Let Me In Your Life Love Comes And Goes (1 & 2) Go For What You Know Mind Over Matter (1 & 2) |
Showdown (1 & 2) Groove With You Ain't Givin' Up No Love Rockin' With Fire (1 & 2) |
Take Me To The Next Phase (1 & 2) Coolin' Me Out (1 & 2) Fun And Games Love Fever (1 & 2) |
The Pride (1 & 2) Footsteps In The Dark (1 & 2) Tell Me When You Need It Again (1 & 2) Climbin' Up The Ladder (1 & 2) |
Voyage To Atlantis Livin' The Life Go For Your Guns |
Harvest For The World People Of Today Who Loves You Better You Are Love (At Your Best) |
Let Me Down Easy So You Wanna Stay Down You Still Feel The Need |
Fight The Power (1 & 2) The Heat Is On (1 & 2) Hope You Feel Better Love (1 & 2) |
For The Love Of You (1 & 2) Sensuality (1 & 2) Make Me Say It Again Girl (1 & 2) |
Work To Do It's Too Late It's Your Thing Pop That Thang Love The One You're With Lay Lady Lay |
Lay Away Ohio/Machine Gun I Know Who You Been Socking It To I Turned You On/It's Your Thing Shout |
That Lady ( 1 & 2) Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight If You Were There You Walk Your Way Listen To The Music |
What It Comes Down To Sunshine (Go Away Today) Summer Breeze The Highways Of My Life |
Ohio/Machine Gun Fire And Rain Lay Lady Lay Spill The Wine | Nothing To Do But Today Cold Bologna Love The One You're With |
Get Into Something Freedom Take Inventory Keep On Doin' Girls Will Be Girls |
I Need You So If He Can You Can I Got To Find Me One Beautiful Bless Your Heart |
I Turned You On Vacuum Cleaner I Got To Get Myself Together Was It Good To You? The Blacker The Berrie |
My Little Girl Get Down Off Of The Train Holding On Feels Like The World |
Twist & Shout I Say Love Right Now Hold On Baby The Snake Never Leave Me Baby Time After Time Let's Twist Again |
You Better Come Home Don't You Feel Spanish Twist Crazy Love Rubber Leg Twist Twistin' With Linda Nobody But Me |