The Isley Brothers have been an R&B force to reckon with since the late '50s, and The Ultimate Isley Brothers is the most extensive single-CD collection of their songs ever assembled. Spanning their hit-making years from 1959 to 1983, the compilation includes such early hits as "Twist and Shout" (also a smash for the {|Beatles|}) and "Shout." The lion's share of the...
Read moreThe Isley Brothers have been an R&B force to reckon with since the late '50s, and The Ultimate Isley Brothers is the most extensive single-CD collection of their songs ever assembled. Spanning their hit-making years from 1959 to 1983, the compilation includes such early hits as "Twist and Shout" (also a smash for the {|Beatles|}) and "Shout." The lion's share of the hits here were recorded on the group's self-owned T-Neck Records label, including the No. 1 R&B singles "It's Your Thing," "Fight the Power," and "The Pride." Fueled by Ronald Isley's soaring falsetto, Ernie Isley's {|Jimi Hendrix|}-inspired guitar licks, and Chris Jasper's gritty organ playing, the Isleys took creative dares that found them interpreting distinctly non-R&B songs, including {|Stephen Stills|}' "Love the One You're With" and {|Seals & Crofts|}'s "Summer Breeze." Balancing out these whimsical remakes and party favorites are a number of slow jams that have become quiet storm classics, including "Between the Sheets" and "Don't Say Goodnight." With their influence carrying over to a generation of contemporary R&B artists ({|Vanessa Williams|} had a hit with her remake of "Work to Do") and hip-hop giants ({|Salt-N-Pepa|} revamped the Isleys' "It's Your Thing" with the go-go-inspired "Shake Your Thang"), the Isleys continue to spread their "Caravan of Love." Dave Gil de Rubio
Brand: SONY