Between 1983 & 1985 The Isley's released 2 Studio Albums & one Greatest Hits (Volume 1) Album, this Greatest Album went Double Platinum, the Last Album on the Epic/T-Neck Record Label!
In 1983 "Between The Sheets" was Released, the last Studio Album on Epic/T-Neck. This also went Platinum!
It reached Number 19 & 1 in the US Pop & R&B Charts.
There were 3 Single Releases from the Album, the two above Tracks "I Need Your Body""Between the Sheets " Reached Number 3 in US R&B Charts & "Choosey Lover" Reached Number 6, while "I Need you Body" Failed to Chart!
This Album would be the Last Album with all 6 Members of "The Isleys" being involved, by the following Year 1984, Tensions between the Older & Younger Isleys got so Bad that the Younger Members left to form Isley Jasper Isley!
1985 saw the release of the Album "Masterpiece"The Isleys were for the first time since 1973 back as a Trio, although as it turned out, this would be the last time ever the 3 Older Isleys would record together, as in March of the following Year (1986) , O'Kelly Died of an Heart Attack!
This Album was The Isleys First for Warner Brothers after a Switch from Epic, it also had a Big difference from Previous Releases, it only Contained one Track written by The Isleys, out of Nine!
Four of the Songs were also Cover Versions from other Recording Artistes including::
If Leaving Me Is Easy................Phil Collins Most Beautiful Girl.....................Charlie Rich Stay Gold....................................Stevie Wonder My Best Was Good Enough.......Patti Labelle
The Album did not Fair to well in Charts either, Number 140 & 19 in US Pop & R&B Charts!
The Two Single releases were, "May I" which reached number 42 in US R&B Chart & the Best Track on Album "Colder Are My Nights" which reached Number 12 in US R&B Chart.
I don't remember the circumstances, dates, how or why, but I do remember going back to the Smaller Shop (after doing relief during the Summer period) & the Old Boy "Wally" (Butcher/Manager) was retiring!
The New Manager was a Chap by the name of "Steve" (cant remember his Surname!) he came from a Bigger Branch about 4/5 miles away in Great Yarmouth, he has it turned out was Alright to work with!
He lived not to far from where I lived, so most Morning's he would pick me up (in his Car) on his way to work, so that was Handy!
I cant remember what type of Car he had, but I can recall, He Liked "Heavy Rock Music" and his Favorite Band was AC/DC, & his Hero was "Bon Scott" (He had earlier in 1980, Died) in the car every morning he had allsorts of Heavy Music blaring out!
You would Hear him coming about a 5 minute's before he arrived with the Music so loud! something else I remember, On the inside of his car, on the Roof, there was a Giant Poster of his Hero "Bon Scott"
I didn't go to much on Heavy Rock (Especially them School Boy Shorts!), but He Hated Soul/Black Music with a Passion!
But as I said we got on Well, and worked there together with "The Other Old Boy" Percy, for several Month's.
Here's the 48th Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by HeavySoulBrutha, there's some classic Jazz/Jazz Funk Music Tracks on here, Its called Pieces of a Dream!
Its features Artistes including some Stanley Clarke, Bob James, Stanley Turrentine & Idris Mohammed.
