3 + 3 (1973)

3 + 3 is the eleventh album released by the Isley Brothers for the Epic label under their T-Neck imprint on August 7, 1973. In 2020, the album was ranked at 464 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

Background

The Isley Brothers first album for the label after several years on 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, officially included six members instead of the standard three. Following the recording and release of Brother, Brother, Brother (1972) the previous year, this was the first album to officially include younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and in-law Chris Jasper, even though all three had played on the previous several albums.

The success of the album is attributed to their first Top 10 pop record since "It's Your Thing" (1969), 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" (1972), which was also a top ten R&B single. The album became their first platinum album.

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.

The album was remastered and expanded for inclusion in the 2015 23-CD box set The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters (1959–1983).

Reception

The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die and is listed number 992 in All-Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd. edition, 2000). In 2020, the album was ranked at 464 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

Personnel

The Isley Brothers

• Ronald Isley – lead vocals, background vocals
• Rudolph Isley – background vocals
• O'Kelly Isley Jr. – background vocals

Ernie Isley – background vocals (1, 6, 8), maracas (6), tom-toms (6), acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar

Marvin Isley – background vocals (1, 6, 8), bass guitar

Chris Jasper – background vocals (1, 6, 8), Hohner clavinet (3, 5–7), Moog synthesizer (8–9), ARP synthesizer, acoustic piano, electric piano, tambourine

Guest musicians

George Moreland – drums, tom-toms (6)

Truman Thomas – organ (1, 3–6)

Rocky – congas (1)

Production and design

Produced by Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley & O'Kelly Isley Jr.

• Malcolm Cecil, Robert Margouleff – recording engineers
• Ed Lee – cover design
• Don Hunstein – photography