The Isley Brothers -

The Isley Brothers were an American soul-funk band from Cincinnati that first performed doo-wop in the early 1950s. Between 1957 and 1967, they released assorted singles on RCA, Atlantic, Wand, and UA, capping this period with two albums on Tamla. Between 1969 and 1983, they released 18 albums on their exclusive imprint T-Neck, distributed by CBS.

As a trio of Ronald, O’Kelly, and Rudolph, the Isleys scored their first hit with “Shout” (1959) on RCA and reached the charts again with “Twist and Shout” (1962) on Wand. Their mid-Sixties tenure on Motown yielded the hits “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” and “I Guess I’ll Always Love You.” These early years established them as a versatile vocal group bridging doo-wop, gospel, and R&B with crossover pop appeal.

The group’s heyday began with the formation of the 3 + 3 sextet, expanded by younger brothers Ernie and Marvin Isley and brother-in-law Chris Jasper. This lineup produced a run of platinum T-Neck albums, including 3 + 3 (1973), The Heat Is On (1975), Harvest for the World (1976), and Go for Your Guns (1977). They scored major hits with “It’s Your Thing,” “Work to Do,” “That Lady,” “Fight the Power,” “For the Love of You,” and “Between the Sheets,” blending funk, rock, and quiet storm balladry.

Members: Ronald Isley (lead vocals), Rudolph Isley (background vocals, 1954-89), O’Kelly Isley, Jr. (background vocals, 1954-86), Vernon Isley (lead vocals, 1954-55), Ernie Isley (guitar, drums, bass guitar, maracas, congas, timbales, percussion, background vocals, 1973-84, 1991-present), Marvin Isley (bass guitar, percussion, woodblock, cowbell, background vocals, 1973-84, 1991-97), Chris Jasper (grand piano, electric piano, clavinet, synthesizer, tambourine, congas, percussion, background vocals, 1973-84)

Background

The Isley Brothers were born and raised in Lincoln Heights, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Their father, O’Kelly Isley, Sr., was a former vaudeville performer from Durham, NC. The four eldest Isley boys — O’Kelly Isley, Jr. (1937–1986), Rudolph (b. 1939), Ronald (b. 1941), and Vernon (1942–1955) — sang in the church choir as children.

In 1954, they started performing as an R&B/vocal combo. After winning a competition on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour, they toured churches along the east coast with Vernon as their lead vocalist. Tragedy struck in 1955 when Vernon, age 13, was struck and killed by a motorist while riding his bike. The grief-stricken brothers curtailed their musical activities for the next two years.

Early Recordings

In 1957, the remaining trio regrouped with Ronald at the helm and moved to New York, where they recorded with producer and label owner George Goldner. The Isley’s issued their first two singles that year on the Teenage and Mark-X imprints, followed in 1958 with a single on Cindy and two on Gone Records.

In 1959, they signed to RCA Victor, which issued their debut album Shout!, which spawned the singles “Respectable” (later covered by the Yardbirds) and the two-part “Shout” (later covered by the The Who). Unlike most groups of the era, the Isley’s wrote some of their own material, including the album’s two singles.

During the next two years, the Isley’s released further singles on RCA and Atlantic. In 1962, they signed to Scepter-subsidiary Wand, which issued their signature early single “Twist and Shout” (Billboard #17, R&B #2). The song, later made more famous by The Beatles, was written by songwriter Bert Berns (“Piece of My Heart,” “Here Comes the Night,” “Hang on Sloopy”) and included on the Isley’s second album, Twist & Shout. Further Wand singles were followed by the 1963 album Twisting and Shouting on United Artists.

In 1964, the Isley’s relocated to New Jersey and founded T-Neck Records. Its first release was the two-part single “Testify,” which features the first recorded appearance of a young Jimi Hendrix. He also played on their second T-Neck single, “Move Over and Let Me Dance” (b/w “Have You Ever Been Disappointed”), issued the following year.

Motown Releases

Later in 1965, the brothers suspended T-Neck and signed to Motown, scoring a hit with “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)” (Billboard No. 12, R&B No. 6) on the label’s Tamla imprint. In 1990, it returned to the charts after Ronald guested on a second version of the song by Rod Stewart (who first covered it on his 1975 album Atlantic Crossing).

The Isley’s issued six further singles on Tamla between 1966 and 1968, during which time younger brother Ernest “Ernie” Isley (b. 1952) joined the group, first as their drummer before moving to bass. Embracing the nascent funk style of The Bar-Kays and recent James Brown, they resurrected T-Neck and secured a distribution deal through Buddah Records.

It’s Our Thing

The Isley Brothers released their sixth album, It’s Our Thing, in April 1969 on T-Neck.

The album signaled their break from Motown and reactivation of T-Neck with Buddah distribution. For the first time, the brothers handled all writing and production themselves, setting the template for their 1970s funk direction. Ronald, Rudolph, and O’Kelly Isley group-wrote the entire set.

The uptempo numbers push James Brown–style funk into sharper rhythmic turns. “It’s Your Thing” drives on clipped horns and Ronald’s unrestrained vocal, while “Give the Women What They Want” mirrors “Cold Sweat” with brisk stops and starts. “Don’t Give It Away” accelerates into a stomping pace, and “I Must Be Losing My Touch” works a syncopated, raw attack. “Somebody Been Messin’” layers a frantic rock undercurrent over Ronald’s testifyin’ lead, contrasting with the slow, moody “Save Me” and “Feel Like the World.” The closing “He’s Got Your Love” centers on a three-chord brass riff, while “Love Is What You Make It” recalls the smoother soul style of their Motown years.

A1. “I Know Who You Been Socking It To” (2:42)
A2. “Somebody Been Messin’” (2:36)
A3. “Save Me” (3:30)
A4. “I Must Be Losing My Touch” (2:00)
A5. “Feel Like the World” (3:25)

B1. “It’s Your Thing” (2:47)
B2. “Give the Women What They Want” (2:17)
B3. “Love Is What You Make It” (2:37)
B4. “Don’t Give It Away” (2:43)
B5. “He’s Got Your Love” (2:00)

Sessions occurred at A&R Studios in New York City with the Isley Brothers producing and Tony May engineering.

It’s Our Thing features cover photography by James Kriegsman under art direction by Acy R. Lehman.

T-Neck issued “It’s Your Thing” backed with “Don’t Give It Away” (TN 901) in March 1969. The single reached No. 1 R&B and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album itself peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 R&B.

The Brothers: Isley

The Isley Brothers released their seventh album, The Brothers: Isley, on October 18, 1969, on T-Neck.

The album continued their funk-driven reinvention, extending the self-contained approach of It’s Our Thing with tighter arrangements and a mix of hard funk, deep soul, and gospel-rooted ballads.

Ronald, Rudolph, and O’Kelly Isley wrote and produced eight of the nine songs. Saxophonist George Patterson of the Midnight Movers contributed “I Got to Get Myself Together” and co-arranged the album with the brothers.

“I Turned You On” rides a grinding rhythm with Ronald’s urgent lead and crowd-prompting chants, while “Vacuum Cleaner” teases with jagged funk accented by Ernie Isley’s sharp guitar figures. “Was It Good to You” drives with fluid momentum, contrasting the ballad “I Got to Get Myself Together,” which unfolds with aching restraint. “The Blacker the Berrie” expands into six minutes of funk and social commentary, while “Get Down Off the Train” testifies in gospel-fired abandon. “Holding On” lingers in a swamped rhythm built on horn stabs, and “Feels Like the World” revisits the earlier album’s mournful slow pace. “My Little Girl” recalls vintage R&B before breaking into a funk climax.

A1. “I Turned You On” (2:34)
A2. “Vacuum Cleaner” (2:50)
A3. “I Got to Get Myself Together” (3:31)
A4. “Was It Good to You?” (2:40)
A5. “The Blacker the Berrie” (5:50)

B1. “My Little Girl” (3:38)
B2. “Get Down Off of the Train” (3:11)
B3. “Holding On” (2:32)
B4. “Feels Like the World” (3:21)

Sessions occurred at A&R Studios in New York City with the Isley Brothers producing and Tony May engineering.

T-Neck issued “I Turned You On” in May 1969 (b/w “I Know Who You Been Socking It To”), which reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 R&B. “The Blacker the Berrie” appeared as the two-part single “Black Berries” in August, followed by “Was It Good to You” (b/w “I Got to Get Myself Together”) in September, which reached No. 33 R&B.

Get Into Something

The Isley Brothers released their eighth studio album, Get Into Something, on March 8, 1970, on T-Neck.

The album balances brass-charged uptempo numbers with devotional ballads. It continues the group’s transition into funk-driven arrangements while keeping ties to their soul foundation.

Ronald, O’Kelly, and Rudolph Isley produced and wrote the album apart from “If He Can You Can,” supplied by J. Brantly. Guitarist Ernie Isley, bassist Marvin Isley, pianist Chris Jasper, organist Truman Thomas, and drummer George Moreland supplied the instrumentation, with George Patterson handling arrangements.

The first side emphasizes animated, horn-punctuated material, including the seven-minute title track, the rallying “Freedom,” and the admonitory “Take Inventory.” “Keep On Doin’” carries the same rhythmic insistence. The second side shifts to slower numbers such as “I Need You So” and “I Got to Find Me One,” contrasted with pointed funk like “Girls Will Be Girls.” The set closes on the spirited “Bless Your Heart,” which mirrors elements of “It’s Your Thing.”

A1. “Get Into Something” (7:29)
A2. “Freedom” (3:38)
A3. “Take Inventory” (2:46)
A4. “Keep On Doin’” (4:02)

B1. “Girls Will Be Girls” (2:50)
B2. “I Need You So” (4:23)
B3. “If He Can You Can” (3:43)
B4. “I Got to Find Me One” (4:37)
B5. “Beautiful” (3:06)
B6. “Bless Your Heart” (3:03)

Sessions took place with the Isleys producing and Patterson arranging. Mastering occurred at Sterling Sound. Monarch Record Mfg. pressed the LP, which appeared in the US on T-Neck with distribution through Buddah Records.

“Bless Your Heart” reached No. 29 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Keep On Doin’” peaked at No. 17 R&B and No. 75 pop. “Freedom” climbed to No. 16 R&B and No. 72 pop. Further singles included “If He Can You Can,” “Girls Will Be Girls, Boys Will Be Boys,” and the title track, all of which reached the R&B Top 30.

In March 1971, T-Neck issued “Warpath,” a non-album A-side credited to Ronald, O’Kelly, Rudolph, and Ernie Isley with Harold Pennington, backed with “I Got to Find Me One.”

Givin’ It Back

The Isley Brothers released their ninth studio album, Givin’ It Back, on September 25, 1971, on T-Neck.

The album consists entirely of covers, reworked with the group’s heavy rhythm section, guitar pyrotechnics, and gospel-fired vocals. It presents socially pointed material in elongated funk-soul settings that highlight both outrage and uplift.

Ronald, O’Kelly, and Rudolph Isley produced the album. Guitarist Ernie Isley, bassist Marvin Isley, pianist Chris Jasper, organist Milton Westley, percussionist George Moreland, and flutist John Mosley supplied instrumentation, with Chester Woodard on guitar and Bill Withers guesting on “Cold Bologna.” George Patterson arranged the material with the Isleys.

The tracklist features songs by James Taylor (“Fire and Rain”), Bob Dylan (“Lay Lady Lay”), WAR (“Spill the Wine”), and Stephen Stills (“Nothing to Do but Today,” “Love the One You’re With”). and Withers’ “Cold Bologna.” They open with a Neil Young/Jimi Hendrix medley.

The opening “Ohio/Machine Gun” stretches past nine minutes with fervent vocals, dueling guitars, and an inserted prayer that underscores its theme of campus unrest. Their version of “Fire and Rain” injects soulful drive over acoustic textures. “Lay Lady Lay” is slowed into a sensual ballad that builds into a ten-minute jam. “Spill the Wine” becomes a dense workout with layered guitars, flute, and percussion. The Isleys render Stills’ “Nothing to Do but Today” as earthy funk and close the set with a climactic “Love the One You’re With.” Withers’ “Cold Bologna,” featuring the composer on guitar, adds a country-soul turn.

A1. “Ohio / Machine Gun” (9:13)
A2. “Fire and Rain” (5:29)
A3. “Lay Lady Lay” (10:22)

B1. “Spill the Wine” (6:32)
B2. “Nothing to Do but Today” (3:42)
B3. “Cold Bologna” (3:03)
B4. “Love the One You’re With” (3:40)

Sessions occurred at Mediasound in New York City with the Isleys producing and Patterson co-arranging. Hal Wilson handled photography.

“Love the One You’re With” reached No. 3 R&B and No. 18 pop. “Spill the Wine” hit No. 14 R&B and No. 49 pop. “Lay Lady Lay” charted at No. 29 R&B and No. 71 pop.

Givin’ It Back peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart.

Brother, Brother, Brother

The Isley Brothers released their tenth studio album, Brother, Brother, Brother, on May 2, 1972, on T-Neck.

The album blends socially conscious covers with fiery originals, balancing tender ballads and extended jams with streetwise funk and hard-driving rock. It also signals the growing input of younger members Ernie and Marvin Isley and brother-in-law Chris Jasper.

Ronald, O’Kelly, and Rudolph Isley produced the album and co-wrote four numbers, including “Keep On Walkin’,” “Work to Do,” and “Lay Away.” Chris Jasper co-wrote the closing ballad “Love Put Me on the Corner.” Outside contributions come from Carole King (“Brother, Brother,” “Sweet Seasons,” “It’s Too Late,” co-written with Toni Stern), Jackie DeShannon (“Put a Little Love in Your Heart”), and the team of Curtis Otis and Howard Kelly on “Pop That Thang.”

Guitarist Ernie Isley played both electric and twelve-string acoustic, bassist Marvin Isley added wood block and cowbell, and Jasper alternated between piano and tambourine. Truman Thomas and Milton Westley handled organ, George Moreland played drums, Karl Potter added congas, and George Patterson contributed maracas.

King’s “Brother, Brother” opens the set with plaintive harmonies, while Jackie DeShannon’s “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” is recast as a stately soul hymn. The Isleys drive King’s “Sweet Seasons” into “Keep On Walkin’,” an original with gospel-fired chants. “Work to Do” surges with unrelenting rhythm, later becoming a standard. “Pop That Thang” pairs biting lyrics with raucous pace, contrasted by the laid-back humor of “Lay Away.” The second side is anchored by a ten-minute “It’s Too Late,” expanded with Ernie’s searing guitar lines, and the closer “Love Put Me on the Corner,” a sparse ballad of spectral beauty.

A1. “Brother, Brother” (3:16)
A2. “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” (3:01)
A3. “Sweet Seasons” (2:55)
A4. “Keep On Walkin’” (2:15)
A5. “Work to Do” (3:11)
A6. “Pop That Thang” (2:53)
A7. “Lay Away” (3:08)

B1. “It’s Too Late” (10:31)
B2. “Love Put Me on the Corner” (6:32)

Sessions occurred at Mediasound in New York City with the Isleys producing and Michael Delugg engineering.

“Lay Away” reached No. 6 R&B and No. 54 pop. “Pop That Thang” climbed to No. 3 R&B and No. 24 pop. “Work to Do” peaked at No. 11 R&B, No. 51 pop, and No. 74 in Canada. A later single from the album, “It’s Too Late,” charted at No. 39 R&B.

Brother, Brother, Brother reached No. 29 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the R&B Albums chart.

3 + 3

The Isley Brothers released their eleventh studio album, 3 + 3, on August 7, 1973, on T-Neck.

The album marked the official expansion of the group from a trio to a sextet, with Ernie and Marvin Isley and cousin Chris Jasper joining Ronald, Rudolph, and O’Kelly Isley. This new lineup fused funk, soul, and hard rock with pop and soft-rock reinterpretations, establishing the band’s signature 1970s sound.

Ronald, Rudolph, and O’Kelly Isley produced the album and co-wrote five songs with Ernie, Marvin, and Jasper. Outside material includes James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” the Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music” (Tom Johnston), Jonathan Edwards’ “Sunshine (Go Away Today),” and Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze.” Ernie played electric and twelve-string acoustic guitars, Jasper handled piano, clavinet, electric piano, and Moog synthesizer, and Marvin supplied bass. George Moreland played drums, Truman Thomas added organ, and Rocky contributed congas.

“That Lady” opens the album with Ronald’s impassioned lead vocal answered by Ernie’s searing guitar lines, stretched further across Part 2. “If You Were There,” “You Walk Your Way,” and “What It Comes Down To” combine tight rhythms and gospel-fired harmonies. Their version of Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” slows the ballad into a nocturnal meditation. The Isleys reframe Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” with expanded harmonies and psychedelic guitar passages, while “The Highways of My Life” closes the set in balladic grandeur.

A1. “That Lady” (5:35)
A2. “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” (4:00)
A3. “If You Were There” (3:22)
A4. “You Walk Your Way” (3:08)
A5. “Listen to the Music” (4:07)

B1. “What It Comes Down To” (3:54)
B2. “Sunshine (Go Away Today)” (4:23)
B3. “Summer Breeze” (6:12)
B4. “The Highways of My Life” (4:17)

Sessions occurred at the Record Plant in Los Angeles with the Isleys producing and Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff engineering. 3 + 3 features cover design by Ed Lee and photography by Don Hunstein.

“That Lady (Part 1 & 2)” reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 R&B, No. 20 in Canada, No. 20 in the Netherlands, and No. 14 in the UK. “What It Comes Down To” hit No. 55 pop and No. 5 R&B. “The Highways of My Life” reached No. 25 in the UK. Their six-minute “Summer Breeze” charted at No. 60 pop, No. 10 R&B, No. 84 in Canada, and No. 16 in the UK.

The album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the R&B Albums chart.

Live It Up

The Isley Brothers released their twelfth studio album, Live It Up, on September 7, 1974, on T-Neck.

The album followed the expanded lineup’s breakthrough with a set that alternates between extended funk workouts and romantic ballads. It furthered the group’s blend of psychedelic guitar textures, deep funk rhythms, and polished soul harmonies, while marking their first No. 1 entry on the R&B Albums chart.

Ronald, Rudolph, O’Kelly, Ernie, and Marvin Isley co-wrote five songs with Chris Jasper. Guitarist Ernie played six- and twelve-string acoustic, electric, and tambourine parts, while bassist Marvin anchored the rhythm section with drummer George Moreland. Jasper contributed piano, clavinet, ARP synthesizer, and Moog synthesizer, also co-handling percussion. Conga player Karl Potter and organist Truman Thomas appeared on select tracks. Todd Rundgren wrote the cover “Hello It’s Me.”

The title track opens with Ronald’s urgent vocal set against Marvin’s pulsing bass and Ernie’s distorted leads, stretching across two parts. “Midnight Sky” continues the extended funk style, building through Ronald’s escalation from restraint to fervor. “Ain’t I Been Good to You” closes the album with a lengthy, blues-tinged vamp framed by Ernie’s expressive solos. The ballads balance the set: “Brown Eyed Girl” carries a pastoral acoustic lilt, “Lover’s Eve” unfolds in nocturnal piano tones, and their cover of Rundgren’s “Hello It’s Me” slows into a smooth, pleading centerpiece. “Need a Little Taste of Love” brings compact rhythmic fire with layered guitars and clavinet.

A1. “Live It Up (Part I & II)” (6:14)
A2. “Brown Eyed Girl” (4:14)
A3. “Need a Little Taste of Love” (3:03)
A4. “Lover’s Eve” (4:40)

B1. “Midnight Sky (Part I & II)” (6:56)
B2. “Hello It’s Me” (5:32)
B3. “Ain’t I Been Good to You (Part I & II)” (8:29)

Sessions occurred at the Record Plant in Los Angeles with the Isley Brothers producing. Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff engineered and handled synthesizer programming, assisted by Gary Ozabul at Record Plant and Joan De Cola at Westlake Audio.

Live It Up features art direction by Ed Lee, design by Andy Engel, and photography by Don Hunstein.

“Live It Up (Part 1 & 2)” reached No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 R&B, No. 65 in Canada, and No. 54 in the UK. “Midnight Sky (Part 1 & 2)” charted at No. 73 pop, No. 8 R&B, and No. 72 in Canada. The album peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B Albums chart, the first of five consecutive No. 1 studio albums for the group.

The Heat Is On

The Isley Brothers released their thirteenth studio album, The Heat Is On, on June 7, 1975, on T-Neck.

The album continues the group’s 3 + 3 era sound, balancing forceful funk-rock with extended ballads that showcase Ronald Isley’s voice against the Hendrix-inspired guitar of Ernie Isley and the synthesizer textures of Chris Jasper.

All six tracks were written and arranged by the Isleys. Jasper handled keyboards, Ernie doubled on guitar and drums, and Marvin Isley played bass.

Side one presents three uptempo numbers: “Fight the Power” serves as a protest anthem with Ronald’s biting vocal and Ernie’s searing solo; the title track grinds at a heavy pace with Jasper’s layered keys; “Hope You Feel Better Love” alternates between smooth verses and eruptive choruses. Side two turns inward with three ballads: the subdued “For the Love of You” became one of their signature quiet-storm pieces, while “Sensuality” stretches out with a slow-burning arrangement. The closing “Make Me Say It Again Girl” unfolds across nearly eight minutes, drawing on hypnotic rhythm and extended instrumental passages.

A1. “Fight the Power (Part 1 & 2)” (5:19)
A2. “The Heat Is On (Part 1 & 2)” (5:37)
A3. “Hope You Feel Better Love (Part 1 & 2)” (6:06)

B1. “For the Love of You (Part 1 & 2)” (5:38)
B2. “Sensuality (Part 1 & 2)” (6:52)
B3. “Make Me Say It Again Girl (Part 1 & 2)” (7:43)

Sessions took place at Kendun Recorders in Burbank, where the Isleys produced with engineers Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff. Mixing occurred at Westlake Audio in Los Angeles.

The Heat Is On features cover photography by Don Hunstein with design by Ed Lee and lettering by Gerard Huerta.

“Fight the Power (Part 1)” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart. “For the Love of You (Parts 1 & 2)” peaked at No. 22 on the Hot 100 and No. 10 R&B. The album itself reached No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and R&B charts.

Harvest for the World

The Isley Brothers released their fourteenth studio album, Harvest for the World, on May 29, 1976, on T-Neck.

The album pairs social commentary with dancefloor funk and balladry, bridging their tradition of romantic material with more outwardly conscious themes.

All songs were composed and produced by the Isleys, with Ernie handling guitars, drums, and percussion, Marvin on bass, and Chris Jasper on keyboards and synthesizers. Ronald led the vocals, while O’Kelly and Rudolph provided harmonies.

The set opens with the two-part title piece: a subdued prelude followed by the anthem “Harvest for the World,” where Ronald pleads for unity over a buoyant rhythm. “Who Loves You Better” carries a disco-laced pace with Ronald’s fiery delivery against Ernie’s guitar runs. “People of Today” and “So You Wanna Stay Down” push funk intensity, while “You Still Feel the Need” layers vocal harmonies over tight rhythm. On the softer side, “At Your Best (You Are Love)” offers one of the group’s most graceful ballads, and “Let Me Down Easy” stretches into a slow-burning showcase for Ronald’s phrasing.

A1. “Harvest for the World (Prelude)” (2:11)
A2. “Harvest for the World” (3:51)
A3. “People of Today” (4:42)
A4. “Who Loves You Better” (5:31)

B1. “(At Your Best) You Are Love” (5:23)
B2. “Let Me Down Easy” (6:30)
B3. “So You Wanna Stay Down” (3:51)
B4. “You Still Feel the Need” (4:50)

Sessions took place at the Record Plant in Los Angeles with the Isleys producing and Malcolm Cecil engineering. Mixing occurred at Westlake Audio.

“Who Loves You Better” reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart, while “Harvest for the World” peaked at No. 9 R&B and entered the UK Top 10. The album itself reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B chart.

Go for Your Guns

The Isley Brothers released their fifteenth studio album, Go for Your Guns, on April 16, 1977, on T-Neck.

The album balances funk-rock energy with intimate ballads, highlighting the band’s signature R&B foundation while extending into more psychedelic textures and spacious arrangements.

All tracks were written and produced by the Isleys. Ernie Isley handles guitars, drums, and percussion, Marvin Isley plays bass, and Chris Jasper performs keyboards and synthesizers; Ronald leads vocals, with Rudolph and O’Kelly providing harmonies. Congas on “Tell Me When You Need It Again” come from Everett Collins.

The album opens with “The Pride,” a driving funk number with uplifting lyrics, followed by “Footsteps in the Dark,” a mid-tempo ballad featuring angular synthesizers and contoured guitar lines. “Tell Me When You Need It Again” blends soft vocal passages with restrained, talkbox-tinged guitar, while “Climbin’ Up the Ladder” delivers Hendrix-inspired electric leads over tight, pulsating rhythms. “Voyage to Atlantis” floats on gentle R&B changes and lush vocal harmonies, and “Livin’ in the Life” emphasizes intense funk with prominent guitar and clavinet textures. The title track, a brief instrumental, spotlights the second-generation Isleys—Ernie, Marvin, and Chris—on a concise, sharp-turning jam.

A1. “The Pride (Part 1 & 2)” (5:33)
A2. “Footsteps in the Dark (Part 1 & 2)” (5:07)
A3. “Tell Me When You Need It Again (Part 1 & 2)” (5:06)

B1. “Climbin’ Up the Ladder (Part 1 & 2)” (6:39)
B2. “Voyage to Atlantis” (4:32)
B3. “Livin’ in the Life” (4:15)
B4. “Go for Your Guns” (2:16)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios with the Isleys producing, and tracks were remixed at Mediasound.

“The Pride” reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart; “Livin’ in the Life” peaked at No. 4 R&B, and “Voyage to Atlantis” reached No. 50 in Canada. The album climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B chart.

Showdown

The Isley Brothers released their sixteenth studio album, Showdown, on April 22, 1978, on T-Neck.

The album maintains their signature blend of funk-rock intensity and intimate ballads, balancing sharp-edged rhythms with lush, contoured vocals.

All tracks were written and produced by the Isleys. Ernie Isley performs guitar, drums, congas, and percussion; Marvin Isley plays bass, woodblock, cowbell, and percussion; Chris Jasper handles piano, keyboards, ARP synthesizers, clavinet, tambourine, and percussion. Ronald Isley leads vocals, with O’Kelly and Rudolph providing harmonies.

The album opens with the funk-rock title track, “Showdown,” followed by the soft, caressing ballad “Groove With You.” “Ain’t Givin’ Up No Love” emphasizes slow, trippy blues textures with searing guitar and punchy bass, while “Rockin’ With Fire” combines intense funk-rock with sci-fi keyboard accents. “Take Me to the Next Phase” layers sharp-turning rhythms under dubbed crowd effects, and “Coolin’ Me Out” alternates between funk and ballad pacing with strong instrumental interplay. “Fun and Games” delivers light, pop-tinged energy, and “Love Fever” channels fiery funk despite its ostensibly disco-oriented title.

A1. “Showdown (Part 1 & 2)” (5:25)
A2. “Groove With You” (4:52)
A3. “Ain’t Givin’ Up No Love” (4:42)
A4. “Rockin’ With Fire (Part 1 & 2)” (5:57)

B1. “Take Me To the Next Phase (Part 1 & 2)” (5:10)
B2. “Coolin’ Me Out (Part 1 & 2)” (8:03)
B3. “Fun And Games” (4:47)
B4. “Love Fever (Part 1 & 2)” (5:00)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios in New York with the Isleys producing, and John Holbrook and Thomas Mark engineering.

“Take Me to the Next Phase” reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, while “Groove With You” peaked at No. 16 R&B. The album climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B chart.

Winner Takes All

The Isley Brothers released their seventeenth studio album, Winner Takes All, on August 21, 1979, on T-Neck.

Presented as a double LP, the album blends the Isleys’ signature funk-rock intensity with their first fully embraced disco-leaning tracks, extending rhythms across longer compositions while preserving intricate instrumental interplay.

All tracks were written and produced by the Isleys. Ernie Isley handles drums, guitar, percussion, maracas, congas, and timbales; Marvin Isley provides bass and percussion; Chris Jasper contributes piano, keyboards, ARP synthesizer, clavinet, congas, and percussion. Ronald Isley leads vocals, with O’Kelly and Rudolph supporting with harmonies; Rudolph also shares lead on select passages.

Musically, the album opens with extended funk-disco numbers like “I Wanna Be With You” and “Liquid Love,” sustaining contoured basslines and layered percussion. The title track, “Winner Takes All,” and “It’s a Disco Night (Rock Don’t Stop)” continue this approach with moderate tempo shifts and dance-oriented rhythms. Side C emphasizes ballads—“Let’s Fall in Love,” “How Lucky I Am,” and “You’re the Key to My Heart”—featuring lush harmonies and soft keyboard textures. Side D presents more experimental, independent pieces such as “Mind Over Matter,” combining funk-driven riffs with layered percussion, closing the set with sharp, varied pacing.

A1. “I Wanna Be With You (Parts 1 & 2)” (6:21)
A2. “Liquid Love (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:17)
A3. “Winner Takes All” (4:16)

B1. “Life In The City (Parts 1 & 2)” (7:55)
B2. “It’s A Disco Night (Rock Don’t Stop) (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:14)
B3. “(Can’t You See) What You Do To Me?” (4:11)

C1. “Let’s Fall In Love (Parts 1 & 2)” (4:42)
C2. “How Lucky I Am (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:43)
C3. “You’re The Key To My Heart” (3:23)
C4. “You’re Beside Me (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:37)

D1. “Let Me Into Your Life (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:09)
D2. “Love Comes And Goes (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:09)
D3. “Go For What You Know” (3:25)
D4. “Mind Over Matter (Parts 1 & 2)” (6:06)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, with the Isleys producing and John Holbrook engineering and programming synthesizers, assisted by George Carnell.

“I Wanna Be With You” topped the Billboard R&B chart, while “Winner Takes All” and “It’s a Disco Night (Rock Don’t Stop)” reached No. 38 and No. 27, respectively. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 14 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Go All the Way

The Isley Brothers released their eighteenth studio album, Go All the Way, on April 19, 1980, on T-Neck.

The album funnels their signature formula into a concise six-track set, balancing smooth funk, layered percussion, and extended love-oriented compositions while retaining tight rhythmic structures and guitar-driven dynamics.

All tracks were written and arranged by the Isleys. Ernie Isley plays guitar, drums, timbales, congas, and other percussion; Marvin Isley provides bass and percussion; Chris Jasper contributes piano, keyboards, synthesizers, string synthesizer, drums, timbales, and congas. Ronald Isley leads vocals and arranges, with O’Kelly and Rudolph supporting in background vocals and arrangements.

Musically, the album opens with extended funk-soul suites like “Go All the Way” and “Say You Will,” featuring contoured guitar lines, layered rhythms, and sustained vocal passages. “Pass It On” and “Here We Go Again” emphasize relational tension with paced percussion and harmonic layering. Ballads such as “Don’t Say Goodnight (It’s Time for Love)” highlight smooth, restrained vocals with soft instrumental textures, while “The Belly Dancer” adds a playful, if unconventional, rhythmic twist to close the set.

A1. “Go All the Way (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:01)
A2. “Say You Will (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:25)
A3. “Pass It On (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:38)

B1. “Here We Go Again (Parts 1 & 2)” (7:34)
B2. “Don’t Say Goodnight (It’s Time for Love) (Parts 1 & 2)” (5:45)
B3. “The Belly Dancer (Parts 1 & 2)” (6:12)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, with production and arrangements by the Isley Brothers, engineered by Tom Edmonds with George Carnell assisting, and mastered by Stan Kalina.

“Don’t Say Goodnight (It’s Time for Love)” reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, while “Here We Go Again” peaked at No. 11 and “Say You Will” charted modestly. The album reached No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums chart and No. 8 on the US Billboard 200.

Grand Slam

The Isley Brothers released their nineteenth studio album, Grand Slam, on March 21, 1981, on T-Neck.

Grand Slam continues the Isley Brothers’ blend of funk, R&B, and smooth balladry, combining extended rhythmic pieces with concise love songs while emphasizing layered percussion and guitar textures.

All tracks were written and arranged by Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, and Chris Jasper. Ernie Isley handles guitars, drums, and percussion; Marvin Isley plays bass and percussion; Chris Jasper contributes keyboards, congas, and additional percussion. Ronald Isley leads vocals, with O’Kelly and Rudolph providing background vocals and arrangement. Additional contributions include Everett Collins on drums (tracks 1 and 7), Kevin Jones on congas (tracks 1–2, 4–5, 7), and Eve Otto on harp (track 1).

The album opens with “Tonight Is the Night (If I Had You),” featuring layered drums and harp textures. Mid-tempo love songs like “I Once Had Your Love (and I Can’t Let Go)” and “Hurry Up and Wait” explore contoured vocal lines over sustained instrumental patterns. Rhythm-driven tracks such as “Young Girls,” “Party Night,” and “Don’t Let Up” emphasize paced percussion and guitar work, while “Who Said?” concludes with pronounced drum accents and layered vocal harmonies.

A1. “Tonight Is the Night (If I Had You)” (4:57)
A2. “I Once Had Your Love (and I Can’t Let Go)” (4:41)
A3. “Hurry Up and Wait” (3:54)

B1. “Young Girls” (5:00)
B2. “Party Night” (4:09)
B3. “Don’t Let Up” (5:06)
B4. “Who Said?” (4:18)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, with production and arrangements by the Isley Brothers and engineering handled by Tom Edmonds.

“Who Said?” reached No. 20 on the Billboard R&B chart, while “Hurry Up and Wait” peaked at No. 58 and “I Once Had Your Love (and I Can’t Let Go)” at No. 57. The album reached No. 3 on the Top R&B Albums chart and No. 28 on the US Billboard 200.

Inside You

The Isley Brothers released their twentieth studio album, Inside You, on December 1, 1981, on T-Neck.

Inside You blends extended funk arrangements with lush ballads, layering percussion, strings, and horns over contoured vocal lines. The album emphasizes textured instrumentation, pairing extended rhythmic explorations with concise love songs.

All tracks were written and arranged by Chris Jasper, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley, except “First Love,” which was written by David Townsend. Ronald Isley leads vocals, with O’Kelly and Rudolph on background vocals and arrangement. Ernie Isley handles guitars, drums, and percussion; Marvin Isley plays bass and additional percussion; Chris Jasper contributes keyboards, vibraphone, percussion, and horn and string arrangements. Additional musicians include Everett Collins on drums, Kevin Jones on congas and percussion, Eve Otto and Gloria Agostini on harp, and an ensemble of violin, viola, and cello players. Mike Spengler and Pete Ramaglia perform trumpet, and Wayne A. Wofford plays alto saxophone on the opening track.

The album opens with “Inside You (Parts I & II),” a layered instrumental and vocal piece supported by brass, strings, and percussion. Mid-tempo ballads “Baby Hold On” and “Don’t Hold Back Your Love (Parts I & II)” emphasize contoured vocal lines over sustained instrumentation. Rhythm-driven tracks such as “Love Merry-Go-Round” and “Love Zone” highlight angular guitar and percussion patterns, while “Welcome Into My Heart” and “First Love” anchor the album with measured melodic progressions.

A1. “Inside You (Parts I & II)” (9:03)
A2. “Baby Hold On” (4:22)
A3. “Don’t Hold Back Your Love (Parts I & II)” (6:20)

B1. “First Love” (4:37)
B2. “Love Merry-Go-Round” (5:07)
B3. “Welcome Into My Heart” (5:02)
B4. “Love Zone” (4:28)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios in New York, N.Y., with strings for tracks A1–A3 and B2–B4 recorded at Power Station, New York City. Production, arrangement, and writing were handled by the Isley Brothers and Chris Jasper, with engineering by Tom Edmonds and mastering by Stan Kalina.

“Inside You” reached No. 10 on the US R&B chart, and “Welcome Into My Heart” peaked at No. 45. The album reached No. 8 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 45 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

The Real Deal

The Isley Brothers released their 21st studio album, The Real Deal, on August 7, 1982, on T-Neck.

The Real Deal extends the band’s layered funk and soul approach, combining percussion-driven tracks with smooth, contoured ballads. The album alternates between extended multi-part compositions and concise love songs, maintaining textured instrumentation throughout.

All tracks were written and arranged by the Isley Brothers and Chris Jasper. Ronald Isley leads vocals, with O’Kelly and Rudolph on background vocals and arrangement. Ernie Isley handles drums, guitar, and percussion; Marvin Isley plays bass and percussion; Chris Jasper contributes keyboards and percussion. Additional musicians include Everett Collins on drums and Kevin Jones on congas for “It’s Alright With Me.”

The album opens with the extended title track, “The Real Deal (Part I and II),” layering percussion and contoured vocal lines. Mid-tempo songs such as “Are You With Me?” and “Stone Cold Lover” emphasize rhythmic variations, while “All in My Lover’s Eyes” and “I’ll Do It All for You” feature measured melodic turns. The closing track, “Under the Influence,” pairs sustained instrumentation with harmonized vocals.

A1. “The Real Deal (Part I and II)” (7:03)
A2. “Are You With Me?” (4:48)
A3. “Stone Cold Lover” (5:12)

B1. “It’s Alright With Me” (5:32)
B2. “All In My Lover’s Eyes” (5:13)
B3. “I’ll Do It All For You” (4:20)
B4. “Under the Influence” (5:42)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios, New York, N.Y., with “Are You With Me?” and “All in My Lover’s Eyes” recorded at Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA. The Isley Brothers produced and arranged the album, with F. Byron Clark and Tom Edmonds engineering the sessions, assisted by Greg Stout and Ray Niznik. Brian Gardner handled mixing.

The album reached No. 9 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. On the US R&B chart, “The Real Deal” peaked at No. 14, “It’s Alright With Me” at No. 59, and “All In My Lover’s Eyes” at No. 67.

Between the Sheets

The Isley Brothers released their 22nd studio album, Between the Sheets, on May 7, 1983, on T-Neck.

Between the Sheets revitalized the six-piece lineup, blending lush, contoured ballads with funk-leaning rhythms and synth-driven textures. The album emphasizes Chris Jasper’s keyboards and synthesizers, layered atop Ernie Isley’s expressive guitar work and Marvin Isley’s basslines, creating a dense but precise sonic landscape.

All tracks were written and arranged by Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Chris Jasper, Ronald Isley, O’Kelly Isley, and Rudolph Isley. Ronald Isley leads vocals on most tracks (1–9) with background support from O’Kelly and Rudolph, while Ernie and Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper contribute both instrumentation and background vocals. Jasper provides co-lead vocals on “Way Out Love,” leads “Rock You Good,” and raps on “I Need Your Body” and “Ballad for the Fallen Soldier.”

The album opens with “Choosey Lover,” highlighted by Ernie Isley’s blistering guitar intro and layered synths that thicken the rhythm. “Between the Sheets” pairs icy electronics with deep synth bass to produce a sensual, contoured slow jam. Early tracks maintain quiet storm textures, while later selections such as “Slow Down Children” and “Way Out Love” introduce brighter synth-funk elements and more energetic rhythms. The second half contrasts the intimacy of the first with sharper rhythmic turns and expanded keyboard presence.

A1. “Choosey Lover” (4:41)
A2. “Touch Me” (5:11)
A3. “I Need Your Body” (4:39)
A4. “Between the Sheets” (5:39)
A5. “Let’s Make Love Tonight” (4:48)

B1. “Ballad for the Fallen Soldier” (5:18)
B2. “Slow Down Children” (4:21)
B3. “Way Out Love” (4:11)
B4. “Gettin’ Over” (3:44)
B5. “Rock You Good” (3:34)

Sessions occurred at Bearsville Studios and the Isley Brothers’ Power Station sessions in New York, N.Y. The Isley Brothers produced and arranged the album, with engineering handled by Tom Edmonds and assistants as needed.

Singles included “Between the Sheets,” which reached No. 3 on the US R&B chart, and “Choosey Lover,” which peaked at No. 6. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 19 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Between the Sheets marks the final Isley Brothers release featuring the 3 + 3 lineup, as Ernie and Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper departed the following year to form Isley-Jasper-Isley.

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