'3+3'

The truest definition of The Isley Brothers. This was the first album that included the original three -- Rudolph, Ronald and O'Kelly -- in addition to the youngest two -- Marvin and Ernie.

It also featured Isley brother-in-law Chris Jasper, a keyboardist who also played the Arp synthesizer, most notably used with a lot of success in the 1970s by Stevie Wonder. He was recording his magnum opus, Innervisions, at the very same time. In fact, the Isleys walked in on Lil' Stevie laying down "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing."

3+3 is a fantastic album and certainly a must-have for anyone who loves R&B and soul in addition to anything from the 1970s. It's fresh and yet alarmingly classic. It features covers of "Summer Breeze" (better than Seals and Croft) and the Doobies' "Listen to the Music."

Not to be outdone, they covered themselves re-recording "Who's that Lady" as "That Lady Pt. 1 & 2." Nevertheless, can't encourage you enough to go get this album. Top to bottom, it's gold.