3 + 3

Though the Isley Brothers recorded some excellent material in their original line-up as a trio, their sound and vision expanded when the group itself expanded to a sextet in the early '70s. 3+3 marks the inception of the Isleys' new incarnation, one that features, in addition to Ronald, O'Kelly, and Rudolph, younger brothers Ernie (guitar) and Marvin (bass), and cousin Chris Japser (keyboards). On 3+3 the band's slick, besuited Tamla/Motown soul was replaced by grittier, funkier stuff with some truly spectacular instrumental prowess.
The Isleys had always been given to performing reverent, stretched-out covers of songs they loved, and 3+3 has its share, with treatments of Seals & Crofts's "Summer Breeze," James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," and the Doobie Brothers' "Listen to the Music." The Isleys' "That Lady Pts 1 & 2" and "The Highways of My Life," among other originals, showcase the pyrotechnics of funk monster Marvin and the Hendrix-inspired excursions of Ernie. The Isleys' mixture of rock, funk, soul, and R&B was at its peak here, and 3+3 stands as one of the best albums in the group's lengthy discography.