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Isley Brothers
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The Isley Brothers are one of the most important groups in R&B history. They modernized the concept of the black singing group, and broke new ground with hits that were either influenced by or borrowed from a variety of musical styles. In addition to performing many of their own songs, the Isleys perform soulful renditions of Seals & Crofts's "Summer Breeze" and Stephen Stills's "Love the One You're With" on this ESSENTIAL collection. The two-disc set presents the original 1962 version of "Twist and Shout" and other latter-day Isley favorites such as the funky "It's Your Thing" and the bold "Fight the Power." Another highlight of this compilation is "Move Over and Let Me Dance," featuring a rare guest appearance by Jimi Hendrix. Boasting 34 tracks that span from '59 to '96, THE ESSENTIAL ISLEY BROTHERS is an excellent introduction to this inimitable band.
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"From the Fifties onward, the Isley Brothers have been a musical institution whose prolific career has explored the musical intersection of gospel, R&B, rock, soul, funk and disco. Having been a family-based group since their inception, the Isley Brothers originated with four gospel-singing brothers: Ronald, o’Kelly, Rudolph and Vernon (the last of whom was killed in a bike accident in 1955). The three surviving brothers left their hometown of Cincinnati in 1957 for New York City, where they recorded several songs for small labels. Their breakthrough came with their fervent recording of “Shout,” an original inspired by a line from Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops” and shot through with raucous, gospel-style testifying.
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Through Buddah and their newfound faith in their careers, the Isley Brothers changed their image, sound and lineup. Though they weren't made members yet, younger brothers guitarist/drummer Ernie and bassist Marvin eventually joined the lineup. In February of 1969, the Isleys hit pay dirt with the funk anthem "It's Your Thing". It was their biggest hit to date, reaching number one on the Black Singles chart and number two on the Pop Singles chart, winning them their first and only Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and selling over five million copies. Through this early period with Buddah, the brothers' input went from a gritty funk-soul sound like that of James Brown, The JB's, and Sly & the Family Stone, to a funk/rock sound that integrated the worlds of James Brown's instrumental funk, and Jimi Hendrix's syncopating hard rock, thanks to the searing guitar licks by brother Ernie (who was a multi-instrumentalist). With the inclusion of brother-in-law and keyboardist Chris Jasper in 1970, the group would hit strides with songs like 1969's "I Turned You On", 1970s "Keep On Doin'" and "Freedom", their inspired 1971 covers of Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay", War and Eric Burdon's "Spill the Wine" and Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With", and 1972's self-penned "Lay-Away", "Work to Do" and "Pop That Thang". Critics have praised this early period of the Isleys' coming-of-age and many of their fans have considered their 1972 album, Brother, Brother, Brother, their best album.
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The Isley Brothers’ historic run started in 1959 when they put out their first hit single "Shout!". They followed that success with "Twist and Shout" in 1962. However, when the record company wanted them to do "Surf and Shout" they figured it was time to move on, so 1963 they started their own record label, T-Neck, to have more control over their work. They ... added a new kid named Jimi Hendrix to play lead guitar. However, after struggling for a couple of years with their own label, they signed with Motown in 1965. Attempting to put the Isleys in their "formula," the hit factory only produced one hit for the brothers, "This Old Heart of Mine." The Isleys left Motown in 1968 and in 1969, restarted their own T-Neck label, which is where most of their excellent work comes from.
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Before the Isley family moved to New Jersey, they lived in Cincinnati, Ohio and some of the Isley children attended the historical Hughes High School. This CD is fantastically remastered and has some great, classic Isley hits. GO BIG RED!
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Over the course of nearly a half-century of performing, the Isley Brothers have gone from gritty R&B to Motown soul to blistering funk. Now, for the first time ever, all the magic that is the Isley Bros. is captured in stunning High Definition video with 5.1 Surround Sound!
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