3 + 3

3 + 3 is a 1973 album released by The Isley Brothers for the Epic label under their T-Neck imprint. Their first album for the label after several years in Buddah Records, it was also the first time the family group, which had consisted of founding members O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley, included six members instead of the standard three. Although they had performed on Isley Brothers albums since 1969's It's Our Thing, this was the first album where younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and in-law Chris Jasper were now known as Isley Brothers members starting a period where the brothers would only be part of the musical and production department. The success of the album is contributed to their first Top 10 pop record since "It's Your Thing", with their own cover of the self-penned "Who's That Lady", now re-titled "That Lady, Pt. 1 & 2". Other hit singles included the top five R&B single, "What It Comes Down To", and their cover of Seals & Crofts' folk hit, "Summer Breeze", which was also a top ten R&B single. The album became their first platinum album.

The Isley Brothers recorded 3 + 3 in the Record Plant at the same time as Stevie Wonder was recording Innervisions. In fact they walked in on him recording "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing". Both Chris Jasper of the Isley Brothers and Stevie Wonder were users of the Arp synthesizer and both worked with visionary engineers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil.

In addition to a stereo record release, this album was mixed in quadraphonic and released in 1974 on SQ record: T-NECK PZQ - 32453. It was also released on Super Audio CD on December 4, 2001.

Track listing

All songs composed and arranged by The Isley Brothers; except where indicated

1. "That Lady, Pt. 1 & 2" – 5:35
2. "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" (James Taylor) – 3:59
3. "If You Were There" – 3:23
4. "You Walk Your Way" – 3:06
5. "Listen to the Music" (Tom Johnston) – 4:06
6. "What It Comes Down To" – 3:54
7. "Sunshine (Go Away Today)" (Jonathan Edwards) – 4:22
8. "Summer Breeze" (Seals & Crofts) – 6:12
9. "The Highways Of My Life" – 4:20

Personnel

• Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley, Jr. (Summer Breeze): lead vocals
• Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley, Jr.: background vocals
• Ernie Isley: guitars, drums, percussion
• Marvin Isley: bass
• Chris Jasper: piano, keyboards, clavinet, ARP Synthesizer
• George Moreland: drums, percussion
• Truman Thomas: organ

Charts

Album

Singles

References

1. ^ Henderson, Alex. "3 + 3 - The Isley Brothers". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r41383. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
2. ^ "CG: The Isley Brothers". Robert Christgau. http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=The+Isley+Brothers. Retrieved 2011-08-14.