Customer Reviews

Heat Is on

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was six years old when this album came out so it wasn't until later years when I really got into The Isley Brothers. Of course, growing up we all remember hearing certain songs on the radio and thinking, "WOW!". Such is the feeling I got when I first heard "For the Love of You", which is my favorite song of all time to this day. As years went on I grew to know and love the music of the Isleys and have been expanding my collection of their work ever since.

The Heat is On features the smash hit, "Fight the Power" and "Hope You Feel Better Love" as well as the title track, "The Heat is On". All are hot dance tracks with all the elements of pure seventies funk; bass, acoustic guitar, electric piano, arp and moog synthesizers, slamming drums and ernie's famous 6&12 string.

The mood is mellowed out with the ultimate slow jams, "Make Me Say It Again Girl," "Sensuality", & "For the Love of You".

I love the photography as it captures them live on stage. The dry ice is going and there's the individual name-slash astrological sign-slash birthday center photos, with each member getting his "pose" on.

This is a must have for your collection of REAL music from a REAL band during a time when what you saw on stage was what you heard on the record.

Peace. CLB.

This blockbuster album rose all way to the #1 position of the U.S. pop albums chart. Its six songs are all Isleys classics. "Fight The Power" was a political anthem that was much needed at the time (1975). "The Heat Is On" showed that the band was at the top of its songwriting and performing form. "Hope You Feel Better Love" features, in this writer's opinion, Ernie Isley's single greatest solo guitar performance. "For The Love Of You" is the group's most enduring ballad, and "Sensuality" its most under-rated one. "Make Me Say It Again, Girl" grew out of a love song for God, and the group uses it now to close its live shows on a religious note. So the past is the future. This is the Isleys at their very best. If you are a true fan of theirs, you must have it.

A STRONG BALANCE OF FUNK&SLOW-JAMS Here.FIght The Power is a Timeless Jam.it Speaks Volumes To this day.For The Love Of You is One Of The Greatest Slow-Jams ever.Great Music,Strong Lyrics&The Vocals are On Point.A Must Have.

Yep. Definitive.

As varied as the Isleys have been over the years, I still stand on my idea that this album is closer to being definitive than any of their others (which are mostly great in their own ways) during their massive string of nearly essential hits and albums.

I feel that way mainly because this is the most efficient Isley record that I own.

6 songs.

Three uptempo songs include their definitive protest jam (Fight the Power), an underrated funk jam (The Heat is On), and a perfect transition jam (Hope You Feel Better Love).

Three ballads. Three of their best ballads. That is saying something. For The Love of You is an essential winner in every way. Sensuality is subtle soul with Ron's heavy love panderings lulling the listeners into some lovemaking. And the nearly-epic Make Me Say it Again, Girl makes for one hell of a closer.

Don't think that having heard these songs on random compilations that you own means that you have heard this album.

Something about these songs being together in this order adds to their quality.

In a music world where folks get caught up over songs/hits/singles, The Heat is On deserves full credit as one hell of an album.

IMO, it is the best Isley work among a collection of greatness.

AP

Fight the power is the theme song of protest in the 1970's. For the Love of you is one of the best love songs of the 1970's. Make me say it again, girl and sensuality are good ballad songs.

The Isley Brothers have gone through many different styles. From the early rock 'n' soul of songs like "Twist & Shout" * "Shout" to the Motown years of "This Old Heart Of Mine" to the funk of the mid 70's, they have constantly & consistently produced great and influential music. The Heat Is On was the band's only number one album and is well deserving of the ranking. From the opening sounds of the fiery "Fight The Power", the album moves into funk, rock and smooth soul. Hip Hop fans may not know their names, but they know the beats as the Isleys are among the most sampled bands. The Isleys always made interesting and well produced albums and The Heat Is On may top the list as their best album.

So glad they reissued this album. Had it in the 70s and missed it terribly. What a concept! Funk on one side and deep soul on the other. Not a bad song on the whole CD. This is one of my favorite all time albums; I never get tired of it!

What can I say? This album exposes the Isleys' raw talent in action--'70s style. I loved the way the album was made: Jams on one side, ballads on the other. "Fight the Power" is a powerful, yet gritty classic that's worthy of a listen--especially for new IB fans, and Ronnie Isley's breathy vocal style on the track "Sensuality" is magnificent and makes for a great tune to add to anyone's quiet-storm soundtrack. Bottom line: "The Heat Is On" shines as one of the true testaments to the Isleys' lifelong musical legacy.

Along with Go For Your Guns; The best album by The Isleys! From O'Kelly representin' on the cover to Ernie representin' on Hope You Feel Better Love;This album is simply tight from top to bottom! For The Love Of You, Sensuality, & Make Me Say It Again are the best 3 slow cuts back2back2back Ya Heard!!!

Actually, "The Heat is On" and "Hope You Find Better Love" go on a little too long (although Ernie Isley's guitar is incendiary throughout). And even with Ronald Isley's achingly sweet voice, it's hard to imagine any sophisticated lady falling for lines like, "I believe you are a rainbow/and all the heaven I need to see/You're the promise everlasting" even in 1975. That said, "The Heat Is On" shows the Isleys as a full-strength, self-contained unit, with breathtaking soul harmony, hard funk riffs on "Fight The Power" (how shocking it was as a 13-year-old to hear "bulls--t" coming from my 8-track player) and three songs on (what used to be) side two as gorgeous and sensual as any soul sides ever released. No wonder Branford Marsalis names this one of his favorite love albums, and everyone from rappers Public Enemy to soul diva Whitney Houston has covered or quoted from it. Great stuff.