| 3 + 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 7, 1973 | |||
| Recorded | 1973 | |||
| Studio | The Record Plant,Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 38:55 | |||
| Label | T-Neck/Epic Records | |||
| Producer | Ronald Isley,Rudolph Isley,O'Kelly Isley Jr. | |||
| The Isley Brothers chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [3] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B+[4] |
| Pitchfork | 9.1/10[5] |
3 + 3 is the eleventh album released bythe Isley Brothers for theEpic label under theirT-Neck imprint on August 7, 1973. In 2020, the album was ranked at 464 onRolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.[6]
The Isley Brothers first album for the label after several years onBuddah Records, it was also the first time the family group, which had consisted of founding membersO'Kelly Isley, Jr.,Rudolph Isley andRonald Isley, officially included six members instead of the standard three. Following the recording and release ofBrother, Brother, Brother (1972) the previous year, this was the first album to officially include younger brothersErnie andMarvin and in-lawChris 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" (1969), 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 ofSeals & Crofts' folk hit "Summer Breeze" (1972), which was also a top ten R&B single. The album became their firstplatinum album.
The Isley Brothers recorded3 + 3 in theRecord Plant at the same time asStevie Wonder was recordingInnervisions (1973). 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 theARPsynthesizer and both worked with visionary engineersRobert Margouleff andMalcolm 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 onSuper Audio CD on December 4, 2001.
The album was remastered and expanded for inclusion in the 2015 23-CD box setThe RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters (1959–1983).[7]
The album was included in the book1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die[8] and is listed number 992 inAll-Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd. edition, 2000).[9] In 2020, the album was ranked at 464 onRolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.[6]
Unless otherwise noted, Information taken fromAllMusic[3] and based on album liner notes.[10]
All tracks are written by The Isley Brothers, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "That Lady" | 5:35 | |
| 2. | "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" | James Taylor | 4:00 |
| 3. | "If You Were There" | 3:22 | |
| 4. | "You Walk Your Way" | 3:08 | |
| 5. | "Listen to the Music" | Tom Johnston | 4:07 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "What It Comes Down To" | 3:54 | |
| 7. | "Sunshine (Go Away Today)" | Jonathan Edwards | 4:23 |
| 8. | "Summer Breeze" | Jim Seals, Dash Crofts | 6:12 |
| 9. | "The Highways of My Life" | 4:17 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | "That Lady" (Recorded Live) | 4:15 |
| Year | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | USBillboard Black Albums | 2 |
| USBillboard Pop Albums | 8 |
| Year | Single | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| USBillboard Black Singles Chart | USBillboard Pop Singles Chart | ||
| 1973 | "That Lady (Part 1)" | 2 | 6 |
| "What It Comes Down To" | 5 | 55 | |
| 1974 | "Summer Breeze (Part 1)" | 10 | 60 |
