Search - Isley Brothers :: Inside You/Real Deal

First Love!

Louis C. Banks | TX USA | 06/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't believe this! Wow! I have been waiting on both of these albums to be released since 1993! I own both albums on vinyl and they're my 2 favorite Isley albums. Now these two albums never have been on cd domestically! So this is a first time. I've seen a copy of the Real Deal on eBay which looked like an import. But don't no if it was legit. Now I have been jamming these two albums since 1993. 1 song from each album has been released on cd. So this is going to be good. I can't wait because I already pre-ordered it. I own imported cd of Grand Slam, Go all the Way, Masterpiece, Showdown, Harvest for the World and Live it Up! A couple is now sold domestically but I am one of their biggest fans. Now these albums are two of their lowest selling albums but I think it was just the advertisement and the time it was released that didn't allow these albums to soar. But these are two underrated albums. I know all kinds of history on these guys. So place your order and get ready to jam! This is the Real Deal!"

Both Of These Albums Are SERIOUSLY Great!

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 10/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Musically speaking the Isley's have been tremendous at pretty much everything one can do-musically,composing,singing and TONS of soul and spirit!As for the first album presented on this twofer 'Inside You' was something I owned on vinyl for many years,but since this is that recordings first CD appearence I now have the chance to review it.The title track of that 1981 album is very much in keeping with those of the previous few albums,although taken up a tempo or three.Then comes the very impressive "Baby Hold On",which sounds nothing so much as the Isley's version of the Doobie Brother's sound (it would've actually been a GREAT inclusion on the Doobie's One Step Closer album-also worth checking out)."Don't Hold Your Love" and "Welcome To My Heart",with it's occasional Charles Stepney-isms are no surprise to those accustomed to the Isley's long sexy ballads but there are enough newer production changes to keep the sound fresh as a daisy.The album ends with one of the Isley's best rockers in "Love Zone",one of the few times when they combine Chris Jasper's bass synths with Ernie's guitar theatrics for one of the strongest,toughest funk-rockers of the day.Obviously after this recording the Isley's realized their sound was growing somewhat predictable (and they were right in a way) and decided to change the musical tide a bit.So on 1982's 'The Real Deal',the title cut says it all-it's still funky but as one reviewer stated The Gap Band and Rick James "punk-funk" style is kept more in mind but it's still the Isleys.And luckily they keep the style and tempo up for "Are You With Me?" and the spicy "Stone Cold Lover",all superb songs.Of the midtempo songs presented "I'll Do It All For You" is definately the most steamy.The album ends on a very surprising note with "Under The Influence" which is for all intents and purposes a screaming Led Zeppelin/Cream style hard rock-blues screamer,once again exhibiting their versitility. It's somewhat ironic that after the scorching 'The Real Deal' (which is so ignored many Isley fans never knew it existed) the Isley's completed their modernization with the more popular (and also far more electronic) Between the Sheets album but now that these are available 'The Real Deal' is by far the the mahor treat of this set considering most haven't yet heard it.

"