THE ISLEY BROTHERS 3+3 Part 6

Between 1983 & 1985 The Isley’s  released 2 Studio Albums & one  Greatest Hits (Volume 1) Album, this Greatest Album went Double Platinum, the Last Album on the Epic/T-Neck Record Label!

In 1983 “Between The Sheets” was Released, the last Studio Album on Epic/T-Neck. This also went Platinum!

It reached Number 19 & 1  in the US Pop & R&B Charts.

Isley Cousin Chris Jasper was inspired to co-write (with Ernie) “Between The Sheets” after hearing the “Marvin Gaye” Song  Sexual Healing!

When Brothers Ronald Ernie & Cousin Chris were recording “Between The Sheets” & “Choosey Lover” Older Brothers O’Kelly & Rudolph were not Present & did not like the Finished Tracks either and this lead to Bad Feeling’s towards the Younger Brothers.

There were 3 Single Releases from the Album, the two above Tracks  “I Need Your Body” “Between the Sheets “ Reached Number 3 in US R&B Charts  & “Choosey Lover” Reached Number 6, while “I Need you Body” Failed to Chart!

This Album would be the Last Album with all 6 Members of “The Isleys” being  involved, by the following Year 1984, Tensions between the Older & Younger Isleys got so Bad that the Younger Members left to form Isley Jasper Isley!

1985 saw the release of the Album “Masterpiece” The Isleys were  for the first time since 1973 back as a Trio, although as it turned out, this would be the last time ever the 3 Older Isleys would record together, as in March of the following Year (1986) , O’Kelly Died of an Heart Attack!

This Album was The Isleys First for Warner Brothers after a Switch from Epic, it also had a Big difference from Previous Releases, it only Contained one Track written by The Isleys, out of Nine!

Four of the Songs were also Cover Versions from other Recording  Artistes including::

If Leaving Me Is Easy…………….Phil Collins
Most Beautiful Girl…………………Charlie Rich
Stay Gold………………………………Stevie Wonder
My Best Was Good Enough…….Patti Labelle  

The Album did not Fair to well in Charts either, Number 140  & 19 in US Pop & R&B Charts!

The Two Single releases were, “May I” which reached number 42 in US R&B Chart & the Best Track on Album “Colder Are My Nights” which reached Number 12 in US R&B Chart.

DOWNLOAD SOME GREAT ISLEY BROTHERS MUSIC!         

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

THE ISLEY BROTHER’S 3+3 Part 5

Between 1980 and 1982 The Isley Brothers released 4 Albums, all Self Produced, all on their T-Neck Label Through Epic Record’s and all Recorded at The Bearsville Studio’s in New York City.

In April 1980 the First of these Album’s and the Highest Chart Entry was the LP “Go All The Way” it reached number 8 in US Pop Chart and their last album for sometime to Reach Number 1 in the US R&B Chart’s.

The Biggest Hit Single off this Platinum Selling Album was the Track “Dont Say Goodnight (its time for love)” it got to Number 1 in the US R&B Charts and stayed there for 3 weeks!

Critics at the time said this was The Isley’s answer to Teddy Pendergrass‘ hit “Turn Off The Lights”

In 1981 there was 2 Album releases, the first being “Grand Slam” was attained Gold Status while getting to Number 28 in US Pop Chart and Number 3 in R&B Chart.

The 2 best Track’s on Album were “I Once Had Your Love” and “Hurry Up & Wait”

The Second Album was entitled ” Inside You” it reached Number 45 in US POP & Number 8 in R&B Chart’s.

The Biggest Hit on the Album was “Inside You, part 1 & 2”

It was said around this time that the Older Isley’s were constantly Arguing with the Younger Brothers & Cousin, about the Direction of the Group, this Finally came to a Head in 1984, when the 3 Younger Members split to form “

1982 saw the Release of “The Real Deal” Album, this marked a Change of Musical Direction for the Group.

After Hearing the Album’s of 2 different Artists “The Gap Band” and “Rick James” the Isley’s decided to change their Sound!

Although this did’nt help too much, musical wise, as the Chart Position’s were Number 87 in US Pop & Number 9 in US R&B Chart’s, this has it turned out was The Isley’s Lowest Pop Chart Position in 13 Year’s!

The Album had a Great Single Release called “Stone Cold Lover” this is one of my Favorite Isley Track’s of All Time! 

Download the Albums

Go All The Way
Grand Slam
Inside You
The Real Deal

Here’s a few Track’s from the 4 Album’s

Music Playlist at MixPod.com