Once again, I could have done without Jasper's robotic vocals on the closer Rock You Good. They're all pretty funky, but the lyrics and melodies seem like uninspired retreads. The techno sounds of The Real Deal return on the last three tracks. The second half starts off with some social commentary on the rockin' war protest Ballad For the Fallen Soldier and the soulful, but somewhat dated Slow Down Children. The Isleys have stated in numerous interviews that Between the Sheets was inspired by Marvin Gaye's 1982 hit Sexual Healing. The melody of Choosey Lover seems to have been copped directly from Earth Wind & Fire's 1974 song Devotion. It plays like two different albums as side one is a nice collection of steamy quiet storm love songs highlighted by opener Choosey Lover and the title track. The Isley Brothers - Between The Sheets 1983 (US 19 R&B 1)īetween the Sheets was originally conceived as the first Isley-Jasper-Isley album until some internal politicking by Ronald changed Ernie and Marvin's minds. While the album did little to stop their commercial descent, the Isleys hadn't sounded this tight since Go For Your Guns: B+ Then they completely shift gears with the smokin' blues of closer Under The Influence. It almost serves as a sneak preview of Isley-Jasper-Isley's better tracks.Įrnie's guitar and Chris' layered keyboards mix with some great harmonies on mellower tracks All In My Lover's Eyes and I'll Do It All For You. The mid-tempo It's Alright With Me has a breezy Latin feel and Chris singing co-lead with Ronald. While I could have done without Jasper's robotic vocoder vocals on Are You With Me and Stone Cold Lover, it's difficult to complain when I heard the fire back in Ernie's guitar work. Starting with the title track as we hear Ronald singing with a passion missing on their last few albums.
It paid off in terms of inspiration that carried over to the rest of the group. The Real Deal finds Chris Jasper fully embracing the emerging electro-funk sound of the early 80s. The Isley Brothers - The Real Deal 1982 (US 87 R&B 9) The Isleys bounced back commerically and artistically (aside from that last song) after the slump of Winner Takes All: B A very good rhythm and melody were wasted on some downright corny and borderline embarassing lyrics. More techno-funk on closer The Belly Dancer. Don't Say Goodnight hit number one R&B and has become another of the Isleys' quiet storm staples, but it sounds a little too close for comfort in melody and tempo to Teddy Pendergrass' Turn Off The Lights. Say You Will makes great use of its mellow vocals and more Latin rhythm by contrasting them against Ernie's hot, but tasteful guitar work.Īll the instruments lock into a very funky groove for Pass It On, and Ronald sings with an increasing passion sorely missing from many of the up-tempo songs on their last two releases.Ĭhris Jasper layers piano with synths on the beautiful Here We Go Again. At the 4 minute mark, some nice Latin percussion takes it home. Things get off to a fine start with the techno-funk title track. Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love) (pop 39 R&B 1) The Isley Brothers - Go All The Way 1980 (US 8 R&B 1)ĥ. Talk about overkill: C-ġ989 Surface - Shower Me With Your Love (US 5 R&B 1) The liner notes credit 2 harpists, 3 cellists, 3 violists, and TEN violinsts. When it's done right, R&B with strings can be fantastic.
The closer Love Zone has another cookie-cutter disco beat and too many strings, but tries to mix it up with some bland guitar. Some decent piano on Welcome Into My Heart. More boring disco with strings on Love Merry-Go-Round. It was written by David Townsend later of Surface who are best known for their hit Shower Me With Your Love. The album's sole highlight is the mid-tempo First Love. Baby Hold On has Marvin joining Ronald on the lead vocals.ĭon't Hold Back Your Love is an overly-long, syrupy ballad. The title track opener is a chugging string-laden disco song reminiscent of Love Unlimited Orchestra or Philadelphia International. The slide into mediocrity continues on Inside You, their first album that failed to reach gold sales since 1973. The Isley Brothers - Inside You 1981 (US 45 R&B 8)
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