Isley
Brothers
Essential
Collection
Spectrum
Music - Catalogue Number 544 516-2
Released
26th March 2001
The
Isley Brothers stated their career long before their signing to Motown
in 1965. In fact they were the original group to record ‘Twist and Shout’
which they wrote and was a big hit for the Beatles on their EP of 1963.
The
Isley Brothers are synonomous for their uptempo recordings which are always
popular at dancefloor level. However, here’s a CD that doesn’t feature
‘This Old Heart of Mine’ and ‘I Guess I’ll Always
Love You’ but for a change features ten tracks taken from an old seventies
EMI Starline LP of which many a good track can be found and has become
very collectable indeed.
The Isley’s were also renowned for their cover versions of Motown songs and there is no shortage here either. ‘How Sweet It Is’ ‘I Hear a Symphony’ and ‘Nowhere To Run’ ‘Put Yourself In My Place’ all of which had been hits in their own right for fellow Motown acts including Supremes/Junior Walker/Martha & Vandella’s/Elgins etc.
In order to appreciate the best on this CD you need to instantly fast forward to track three ‘All Because I Love You’ and not a better Motown track could you wish for. A mid-tempo dancer of the highest order.
There are also two songs on this set which had previously seen the light of day by fellow Motown group The Monitors with ‘Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)’ and ‘Share A Little Love With Somebody’ both of which have been given the Isley’s personal touch to maximum effect.
Sample the audio delight’s on ‘Sad Souvenirs’ (Four Tops) as well as powerful vocal performances with ‘Got To Have You Back’ (a UK single) There are no smooth edges to the Isley’s - what you hear is their raw gritty no nonsense approach to music which many will say made them stand above the rest of the acts on the label who were often forced to record to the Motown formulae. Whilst its true to say the Motown sound is evident here, the vocal delivery makes it different enough from the rest. You really have to listen to this CD to appreciate what I am saying.
Songs taken from that EMI LP include ‘Ain’t That Real Satisfaction’ ‘I Can’t Help It If I Love You’ and Born To Love You’ all helping to make up this CD which clearly is a breath of fresh air away from the usual compilations of songs that everyone has anyway.
Another credit to Universal/Spectrum who are leaders in giving Motown fans exactly what the want.
Rating
8/10
Expect
to pay around £6.99 in the UK
UK Tracklisting;
Got
To Have You Back/Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)/All Because I Love You/Catching
Up On Time/Born To Love You/
Ain't
That Real Satisfaction/How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You/I Hear A Symphony/No
Good Without You/
It
Moves Me To Tears/I Can't Help It (I Love You)/Sad Souvenirs/Nowhere To
Run/Take Some Time Out For Love/
Share
A Little Love With Me/You've Got So Much To Shout About/Trouble/Put Yourself
In My Place/