The Isley Brothers – 3 + 3

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Genre:	Rock, Funk / Soul
Style:	Soul, Funk
Year:	1973

Tracklist

		That Lady	5:35
		Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight	4:00
		If You Were There	3:22
		You Walk Your Way	3:08
		Listen To The Music	4:07
		What It Comes Down To	3:54
		Sunshine (Go Away Today)	4:23
		Summer Breeze	6:12
		The Highways Of My Life	4:17

Credits (8)

Ed Lee
Design [Cover Design]
Malcolm Cecil
Engineer
Bob Margoleff*
Engineer
MBG*
Lacquer Cut By
Dun Hunstein*
Photography By
O. Isley*
Producer

Notes

3 + 3 is the eleventh album released by The Isley Brothers for the Epic label under their T-Neck imprint in August 7, 1973.

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, officially included six members instead of the standard three. Following the recording and release of Brother, Brother, Brother 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", 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.
The album was remastered and expanded for inclusion in the 2015 released CD box set The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters, 1959-1983.

Versions

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69 versions

Image	,	–			In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory	Version Details	Data Quality
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album, Yellow Labels, Gatefold	Epic – EPC 65740, Epic – S EPC 65740	UK	1973	UK — 1973	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Stereo	T-Neck – KZ 32453, Columbia – KZ 32453	Canada	1973	Canada — 1973	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Stereo, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold	T-Neck – KZ 32453	US	1973	US — 1973	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 8-Track Cartridge, Album	T-Neck – ZA 32453	US	1973	US — 1973	Needs Changes
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Gatefold	CBS – SBP 234410, CBS – SBP-234410, CBS – KZ 32453	Australia	1973	Australia — 1973	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold	Epic – EPC 65740	Europe	1973	Europe — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album	CBS – SBP 474154	New Zealand	1973	New Zealand — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 Cassette, Album	CBS – PC 4154	New Zealand	1973	New Zealand — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 8-Track Cartridge, Album	Epic – EPC 42-65740	UK	1973	UK — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Terre Haute Pressing, Gatefold	T-Neck – KZ 32453	US	1973	US — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album, Quadraphonic	CBS – SBPQ 474154	New Zealand	1973	New Zealand — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album	CBS – MOT-60.021	Venezuela	1973	Venezuela — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Gatefold	CBS – EPC 65740 E	Spain	1973	Spain — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 Cassette, Album	CBS – 40-65740	Netherlands	1973	Netherlands — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, White Ring	T-Neck – KZ 32453	US	1973	US — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album, Yellow Labels, Gatefold	Epic – EPC 65740	Europe	1973	Europe — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album, Orange Labels, Gatefold	Epic – EPC 65740	Netherlands	1973	Netherlands — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album	Date Records (2) – DAS.2178	South Africa	1973	South Africa — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Terre Haute Pressing, Gatefold	T-Neck – PZ 32453	US	1973	US — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo	Liming Record – LM-2588	Taiwan	1973	Taiwan — 1973	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Reissue, Gatefold	T-Neck – PZ 32453	US	1974	US — 1974	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Quadraphonic	T-Neck – PZQ 32453	US	1974	US — 1974	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 8-Track Cartridge, Album, Quadraphonic	T-Neck – ZAQ 32453	US	1974	US — 1974	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Quadraphonic	T-Neck – ZQ 32453	US	1974	US — 1974	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album	Epic – EPC 65740	Italy	1974	Italy — 1974	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Quadraphonic	Epic – ECPM-86	Japan	1974	Japan — 1974	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Promo, Quadraphonic	Epic – ECPM-86	Japan	1974	Japan — 1974	New Submission
	3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady LP, Album, Reissue	Epic – EPC 81954	Europe	1977	Europe — 1977	New Submission
	3 + 3 LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo	Epic – EPC 32039	UK	1985	UK — 1985	New Submission
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue	Epic – 982651 2	UK	1991	UK — 1991	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 CD, Reissue	Epic Collectors Choice – 982 651 2	UK	1994	UK — 1994	New Submission
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue	Sony Records – SRCS 6462	Japan	1995	Japan — 1995	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Promo, Reissue	Sony Records – SRCS 6462	Japan	1995	Japan — 1995	New Submission
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue	Epic – 487937 2, Epic – EPC 487937 2	Europe	1997	Europe — 1997	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 SACD, Multichannel, Album, Reissue, Remastered	Epic – ZS 32453, Legacy – ZS 32453	US	2001	US — 2001
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered	Epic – EK 85798, Legacy – EK 85798	US	2003	US — 2003	New Submission
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered	Epic – EPC 510734 2, Legacy – 510734 2, T-Neck – 5107342000	Europe	2003	Europe — 2003	Recently Edited
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered	Epic – EK 85798, Legacy – EK 85798	Canada	2003	Canada — 2003	New Submission
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered	Epic – EK 85798, Legacy – EK 85798	US	2003	US — 2003	New Submission
	3 + 3 CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered	Epic – EK 85798, Legacy – EK 85798	US	2003	US — 2003	New Submission

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Reviews

Nilssonline Apr 12, 2024
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 Gram, Gatefold) MOVLP849
Agreed, excellent pressing but – in printing technology terms – lousy color reproduction.
soulfunktion Mar 27, 2023
referencing 3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady (LP, Album, Yellow Labels, Gatefold) EPC 65740
This was one of my first ever albums which I bought as 14 yr old which I still have to this day and it still sounds good to my ears with every track a gem. It was perfect blend of soul vocals which could turn a rock cover on it's head. My only regret was that they never toured the UK in their heyday. A classic album which needs to have the follow up Live It Up on rotate.
isaacmusicman Nov 4, 2022
Edited 5 months ago
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Stereo, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold) KZ 32453
Album Revolution #4:

"The Isley Brothers" were already TIGHT with just "Ronald", "Rudolph", and "O'Kelly", but they did the smartest thing by including "Marvin", "Ernie", and "Chris Jasper" to the group.....

For years the momentum was building up to this point ("Brother, Brother, Brother" in particular), and the "Brothers" were ready to TEAR THINGS UP!!!! No longer with "Buddah" and now with "Columbia Records", "3+3" just KNOCKED everything out the BOX!!!!

There were NO rules here!!!! They covered EVERYTHING from "Soul, "Funk", "Rock", even "Covers"....

The album kicks off with the BLAZIN' "That Lady"...

I didn't know it then, but I found out that this was a remake of their song "Who's That Lady"...That one was a Moody Lounge type song...This one is a straight out the gate, conquering joint!!!! And to cap it off, "Ernie" was just TEARING the track and RIPPING it to SHREDS with his Guitar!!! I read once that after he did that, "O'Kelly" STARED at him for 15 minutes straight without blinking, as in total disbelief!!!!! I FEEL HIM!!!!

That was just the first song...

Their version of "James Taylor's", "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight", is a "Slow Jam" dream!!! "Chris" helped "Ronald" to really get the essence of the song with his re-arrangement of the Melody......It also has a 6 String Guitar drop courtesy of "Ernie"....Priceless!!!!

"If You Were There" is a Bouncy Organ themed jam that just makes you bob your head and sing along!!!! I actually first heard it through a group named "Ace Spectrum", and I really liked it....But once I found out it was really "The Isley's" song, and I heard it, I threw "Ace Spectrum's" version out the window!!!!

"You Walk Your Way" was another Organ themed song, this one was a slow break up song...Again, Priceless!!!!

Their version of "The Doobie Brothers" "Listen To The Music", kind of mirrors what they were doing on "Givin' It Back"...It's honestly not all that, but it wasn't that bad either...

Whew!!! finished with the first side, now the second side...

"What It Comes Down To" has "The Isley's" just playing around with a "Soulful" track...

Their version of "Jonathan Edwards" "Sunshine (Go Away Today)", sounds like they were just having a "ROCKIN'" good time, with "Ernie" doing His thing....

Their cover of "Seals & Crofts" Folk HIT, "Summer Breeze", is just ABSOLUTELY SPECIAL..."Chris" with the Keyboards, "Ronald" KILLING the Vocals, and once again "Ernie" SHEDDING the Guitar!!!!!!

Now, the last song and the Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, "The Highways Of My Life" is straight "Chris Jasper", STRAIGHT UP!!!!! The beginning Piano vibe is SOOOOO FANTASTIC, it is like at times, you just don't believe what you are hearing!!!!!!

I am truly focusing on "Chris Jasper" A LOT, because after finding out that he is mostly responsible for the "3 + 3" sound (so to speak), it is about time that he gets his props...And it doesn't hurt that he started to use the "ARP Synthesizer", engineered by "Robert Margouleff" and "Malcolm Cecil" (who also worked with "Stevie Wonder"...had to mention it because people keep educating me to mention it)....Now don't get me wrong, "Ernie" and "Marvin" had a LOT to do with the new direction the group was going as well...

If you noticed, I really didn't name too many Crown Jewels, because honestly, this album is "One Big Ultimate Crown Jewel (and the BEST album they ever made!!!!!!!)!!!!!!!

In a whole, "The Isley Brothers" becoming a Self Contained Band was the BEST thing that ever happened to them, because it made their catalog richer......For the next 10 years they would create some of the BEST albums in history, but it started here!!!!
mikeSF_ May 17, 2022
Edited 2 years ago
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Stereo, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold) KZ 32453
Had these guys stopped at the end of the 60's, they would've had a great run as a '60's R&B, early rock and roll band, with huge hits having the words "shout" and "twist", lol. Lucky for us, they pivoted into soul & funk in the 70's with a heavier sound, some Hendrix-esque fuzz guitar and Moog leads, and a few more Isley Brothers to fill out the lineup.

This is a very enjoyable album of originals and some very re-imagined covers of pop radio songs of the time. The writing is top notch and the arrangements are engaging.

Nice mix and decent enough pressing. Worth listening again and again.
4 stars. Recommended.
tomwebb101 Nov 21, 2021
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress, Crystal Clear, 180g, Gatefold) MOVLP849
I would buy into the whole AAA vs digital source if it mattered to me when i am sitting listening to my 1500 records. However, much to my advantage, it doesnt matter. My copy of this sounds as warm and alive as many of my all analogues because its produced that way, cut and pressed with obvious care (a seriously quiet LP here) and the textured gatefold is a real cherry on top. YMMV as ever but with MOV right now i would be very confident your experience will match that of mine.
ultron500 Oct 13, 2021
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress, Crystal Clear, 180g, Gatefold) MOVLP849
I'll add my positive assessment of this release to the others already posted. While it's likely this is sourced from high rez digital files...the sound is warm and nicely detailed and very quiet vinyl surfaces...in fact quieter than a recent MoFi One Step I just got!.
Nice packaging and lined inner sleeve too.
mcnab.cheyne Oct 9, 2021
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress, Crystal Clear, 180g, Gatefold) MOVLP849
Sounds glorious to my ears. Perfect vinyl - absolutely perfect. Exceptional dynamics and balance. Wide soundstage. Cool textured cover. Thrilled with this release

Equipment used:
* Rega Planar 6
* Rega Exact cartridge
* Rega Elex-R
* Dali Oberon 5
* Blue Jeans Cables + interconnects
* All LPs cleaned on Project VC-E
MrShocktime Sep 29, 2021
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress, Crystal Clear, 180g, Gatefold) MOVLP849
Absolutely perfect. Dead silent and flat vinyl by Record Industry with dynamic, punchy sound. The gatefold material is very nice as well. Easy 5/5
tomwebb101 Aug 17, 2021
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 Gram, Gatefold) MOVLP849
Flawless pressing, blows away my original in noise floor terms. Getting used to this from MOV to be fair. Glad i got one early!
nreszetar May 3, 2021
Edited 3 years ago
referencing 3 + 3 (LP, Album, Reissue, Gatefold) PZ 32453
A fantastic LP to own! One of the BEST soul records of the '70s. Excellent songwriting and covers. Well-recorded and pressed. You have never heard the Isleys if you have not heard them on vinyl.