Formed in the 1950s, the Cincinnati, Ohio vocal group, The Isley Brothers originally started as a gospel group before having one of the longest, most influential and diverse careers in modern American popular music.    In 1959, the group came into prominence with their single Shout charting and selling over a million copies.  They also had hits with Twist and Shout, This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You), and It’s Your Thing.

Their 13th studio album was The Heat Is On which was released on June 7, 1975.  This was primarily a funk and soul outing but also incorporated elements of quiet storm and rock.  Divided between uptempo funk songs and subdued soulful ballads, this is an album well worth the listening.  Aloha Promises Forever awards this album a rating of 10 out of 10 due to how wonderfully easy it is to listen to and enjoy.  Besides, the band deserves some recognition for having discovered a young Jimi Hendrix and turning him loose on the world, right?

The Heat Is On may be listened to here: