Essential Isley Brothers
The Essential Isley Brothers
Try as companies might, a perfect anthology framing the famous family of funk still manages to elude even the most fickle of aficionados. While 2003's Ultimate Collection is an expansive look at the group's career, it most certainly isn't as thorough as 1999's outstanding Rhino box set, which is simply too rich to satisfy the curious or casual listener. Quite simply, it's nearly impossible to include the group's greatest moments on one disc, and most two-disc sets have a tendency to become ripe with filler. While The Essential Isley Brothers is no exception to the rule, it certainly is the most accessible when measured against the aforementioned anthologies. The track sequencing is erratic but covers many of the group's anthems right away on disc one, the most jarring contrast being between the opening pre-fuzzed good times of "Twist and Shout" and the fuzz-guitar orgy that became "That Lady." Disc two covers every single permutation of the group's later years: from the '80s quiet storm of Isley/Jasper/Isley s "Caravan of Love" to Mr. Biggs collaborative work with R. Kelly in the early part of the 2000s. To include these later projects serves to give the listener a comprehensive survey of the Isley family evolution over the past five decades, but not much else would warrant the inclusion of "Down Low," especially in contrast with so many of their ultimate anthems. Overlooking that fact, you'll find yourself subconsciously (or intentionally) head-bobbing or toe-tapping along with these discs through and through, and rightfully so, as this is a first-class compilation that casual listeners and loyal devotees will be more than satisfied with. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
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Credits »
The Isley Brothers - Main Performer
Ernie Isley - Arranger
Ernie Isley - Producer
Ernie Isley - Performer
Chris Jasper - Arranger
Chris Jasper - Producer
Chris Jasper - Performer
Steven Berkowitz - A&R
R. Kelly - Producer
Bert Berns - Producer
Malcolm Cecil - Programming
Malcolm Cecil - Engineer
Malcolm Cecil - Associate Producer
Malcolm Cecil - Synthesizer Programming
Luigi Creatore - Producer
Lamont Dozier - Producer
Brian Holland - Producer
Marvin Isley - Arranger
Marvin Isley - Producer
Marvin Isley - Performer
O'Kelly Isley - Arranger
O'Kelly Isley - Producer
O'Kelly Isley - Performer
Ronald Isley - Arranger
Ronald Isley - Producer
Ronald Isley - Performer
Rudolph Isley - Arranger
Rudolph Isley - Producer
Rudolph Isley - Performer
Hugo Peretti - Producer
Robert Margouleff - Programming
Robert Margouleff - Engineer
Robert Margouleff - Associate Producer
Robert Margouleff - Synthesizer Programming
Joseph M. Palmaccio - Mastering
George Patterson - Arranger
George Patterson - Co-Arranger
Angela Winbush - Producer
Leo Sacks - Compilation Producer
Don Hunstein - Photography
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Waring Abbott - Photography
Lisa Sparagano - Design
Bob Gruen - Photography
John Bellissimo - Photography
Patti Matheny - Artist Coordination
Stacey Boyle - Artist Coordination
Darren Salmieri - Artist Coordination
Liz Reilly - Photo Research
Stephan Moore - Project Director
Triana DOrazio - Packaging Manager
Rashod D. Ollison - Liner Notes
Teachco Wilshire - Arranger
Teachco Wilshire - Conductor
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