features in: Album Chart of 1973 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die  |
The long-standing vocal trio of Isley brothers O'Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald officially expanded their family affair to six, now officially including younger brothers Ernie Isley (vocals, maracas, tom-toms, acoustic and electric guitar) and Marvin Isley (vocals, bass guitar) as well as in-law Chris Jasper (vocals, keyboards, synths, piano, tambourine), although each of the “new” recruits had played on several of the recent releases. The album opens up with the current hit single, “That Lady”, a remake of their own 1964 tune, “Who's That Lady?” It's now funkified for the new decade, but the Marvin Gaye meets Carlos Santana vibe kills my joy. To be fair, I've never enjoyed Ronald's falsetto, so they're on a hiding to nothing. Passmarks for “Sunshine (Go Away Today)” which is just that little bit deeper with the funk groove and “Summer Breeze”, a classy interpretation of Seals and Crofts soft-rock smash of '72 which greatly improves the thing. Normal service is resumed for the schmaltzy finale, “The Highways Of My Life”. Best avoided.
The Jukebox Rebel
08–Feb–2016
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [05:35]  The Isley Brothers - That Lady (O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Chris Jasper) Disco / Funk |
| A2 | [04:00]  The Isley Brothers - Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (James Taylor) Soul Ballad |
| A3 | [03:22]  The Isley Brothers - If You Were There (O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Chris Jasper) Disco / Funk |
| A4 | [03:08]  The Isley Brothers - You Walk Your Way (O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Chris Jasper) Soul |
| A5 | [04:07]  The Isley Brothers - Listen To The Music (Tom Johnston) Disco / Funk |
| B1 | [03:54]  The Isley Brothers - What It Comes Down To (O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Chris Jasper) Disco / Funk |
| B2 | [04:23]  The Isley Brothers - Sunshine (Go Away Today) (Jonathan Edwards) Disco / Funk |
| B3 | [06:12]  The Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze (Jimmy Seals, Dash Crofts) Soul |
| B4 | [04:17]  The Isley Brothers - The Highways Of My Life (O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Chris Jasper) Pop Ballad |
