3+3

They got me asking "Who's that lady?" The grooves are butter smooth and the vocal work is excellent. The cover of Listen To The Music is just F I L T H Y! This album is great.

lmao kendrick sampled the first track, always liked the instrumentation from 'i' so off to a great start

aw man what a great album.. maybe bumping it a bit due to my vibe today but its a 5 for me

The guitar tone on “That Lady” is amazing. I could do without the extended solo that lasts for minutes without saying anything new, although I suppose if I were playing it, I too would want to live in that fuzz.

Learning that this was recorded in the same studio and at the same time as Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, I must say I prefer Stevie’s brand of soul to this—though I’ll admit I’m no expert on soul.

The cover songs are interesting, but none are improvements on the originals. Overall, I find the album to be fine, but nothing is particularly exciting or memorable to me. And Ronald Isley sounds like if Bon Scott joined a soul band instead of AC/DC.

Top Tracks: “That Lady, Part 1” and “If You Were There”

I give a 3 to 3 + 3.

Varsin nautinnollista soulia sen kulta-ajalta. Kolmosen ja nelosen välillä, mutta menköön nyt 4.

Like taking a soak in a warm bath of FUNK

Before today, I'd heard of the Isley Brothers, notably their songs It's Your Thing, That Lady, Between the Sheets, and Shout. Every time I hear That Lady, I think of the Swiffer commercial where the broom falls in love with a flamingo, its hilarious.

These guys started as a Quartet with the four oldest boys: Kelly, Rudolph, Ronnie, and Vernon singing gospel in their local church. Shortly after that, Vernon got struck by a car and killed, causing them to take a step back and reassess things. Some time later, younger brothers Ernie and Marvin, along with Rudolph's brother in law, Chris Jasper were brought on, making it a sextet.

Ernie Isley is a fucking insane guitar player (notably the guitar solos in That Lady, and Summer Breeze). Turns out that Jimi Hendrix used to tour with the Isley Brothers early on, when Ernie was young, and before he joined the group. Ernie loved how Jimi played guitar, and learned a lot about how he plays from Jimi. After Jimi left, Ernie joined, and the rest is history. Marvin Isley's bass playing is so smooth and funky, especially on Sunshine (Go Away Today). Ronnie Isley's voice is so soulful and can go from gritty and raw to smooth and buttery.

A few cover songs round out this album, and the Isley Brothers did an excellent job of making them their own. A few stand outs include the Doobie Brothers song Listen to the Music, and Seals and Crofts song Summer Breeze.

Overall, a phenomenal record, and one I will definately be listening to again!! So much talent in one band, let alone in one family!!

Favourite songs: "That Lady, Pts. 1 & 2", Listen to the Music, What It Comes Down To, Sunshine (Go Away Today), "Summer Breeze, Pts. 1 & 2"

Least favourite songs: I literally can't pick one, this album is gold!

5/5

Enjoyed it. Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine... 3.5

There's some nice smooth, soulful tunes in here, along with some real funky jams and big hits. I really like the funky psychedelic space guitars.

Great funk album really enjoyed this.

I want to like this more than I do but it really does sound like a group on their 11th album; struggling to redefine and update their sound. My favorite thing on the album is the guitar work, especially that fuzzy phaser tone.

Sensational