The Isley Brothers weren't first to merge blues and gospel. They didn't invent frat rock, or protest soul, or slamming funk, or the slow jam, or the nattily-dressed gangster rapper image, or lead Motown's star stable. But their six decades in music intersected them not only with those styles but influenced many who led them (everyone from former backup guitarist Jimi Hendrix to Lenny Kravitz to disciple R.Kelly, who recent project with the group topped the pop and R&B charts).

The Isleys were a self-contained band on their self-owned record label. They were flexible enough to write and record classic R&B and rock tracks covered by everyone from the Beatles to Mae West and (to his unintentional embarassment), Michael Bolton. Yet they also recast choice pieces from the early 70s' leading singer-songwriters; their tight, soaring harmonies perfectly matched the CSNY songs they covered. Lead singer Ronald Isley came to his "Mr. Biggs" concert and video image honestly. The group deftly changed image with its times and drew top rock, R&B, new jack swing and even hip-hop DJs to its projects, acknowledging the group's huge influence on music history.

At 34 songs on 2CDs, "Essential Isley Brothers" hardly summarizes their influence. It misses essentials like "Living In The Life," "Nobody But Me," "Guess I'll Always Love You," "At Your Best (You Are Love)" or anything from their mid-80s run on Warner Brothers Records. It also feels odd not hearing side two of "The Heat Is On," some of the 70s sexiest music, in its entirety.

Still, with this set you can affordably receive some of pop music's touchstones: party rave-ups "Shout!" and "Twist and Shout" (what? They couldn't squeeze in the follow up "Surf and Shout?") their Motown standard "This Old Heart of Mine," 1969's rumbling, sassy "It's Your Thing," and 1972's "Pop That Thang" (featuring Chris Jasper's bedrock piano work). You also get their reworkings of Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze" and War's "Spill The Wine," (Ronald providing the hidden melody in Eric Burdon's somnambulant rap) and quiet storm standards like "Voyage to Atlantis" and the oft-sampled "Between the Sheets."

Ernie Isley (a criminally underrated lead guitarist as proved by "That Lady," one of the Brothers' biggest hits) once the Isley Brothers would be the one group who could guide you through rock's entire history. The tour here is shorter than preferred (Sony's exhaustive 1997 3CD boxed set on the group is the more detailed map). Still, this set hits many high points of their remarkable career and shows while the Isleys may not have invented any one style, they influenced all of them. Highly recommended, especially as an intro to the group, but also check out any 1970-77 releases, nearly all in print ("3 + 3," "Givin' It Back," "Go For Your Guns").

One of the finest funk/soul groups of all time is undoubtedly The Isley Brothers. Their music has influenced many of today's biggest stars, and is still played all around the world.

Up until 2004, there had never been a definitive Isley Brothers best of on cd. Until Epic releaed the two cd, 34 song "The Essential Isley Brothers". How does this collection hold up? Read on for the positives and the negatives.

Positives:
-All of the best Isley Brothers hits are here, including "Twist And Shout", "That Lady (Parts 1 & 2)", "Fight The Power (Parts 1 & 2)", "It's Your Thing", and of course, "Shout".
-Lots of underrated gems are included.
-Good liner notes.
-Excellent sound quality.

Negatives
-None.

This is a perfect collection. I highly recommend it.

The Isley Brothers have power, soul to spare, funkability, and an amazing way of constantly reinventing themselves. They don't really get the credit they deserve and this anthology helps remedy that. Considering the depth of content, it's a value. From Shout to the unforgettable Harvest For The World, you get to hear them evolve. Their rendition of Spill The Wine is especially tasty. Some omissions, but too few to mention. For a power R&B outfit, they also do tender incredibly well. Try Footsteps In The Dark and Voyage To Atlantis. Ronald Isley is some fine singer.

What can you say about the Isley Brothers? Almost everything they did in the 70s is classic R&B and Funk and this collection does a fairly good job, but how can you call this an essential collection without two of their greatest and most essential songs.

Livin' the Life is one of the top five essential songs the Isleys ever recorded. The other major ommission is Climbin' Up the Ladder. These two songs are the Isleys at their most jammin' although Ernie does tear it up on That Lady.

Good introduction to the group, but Go For Your Guns should be next. Although short, it jams.

Ron, O'Kelly and the rest of the Isley Brothers could turn up the funk, the red light and falsetto finesse simultaneously, all the while, making it look easy. This classic compilation includes the faves "Make Me Say it Again Girl", "Harvest for the World", "Footsteps in the Dark" and "Summer Breeze". It's music so beautiful it makes you want to weep!