Recorded in 1973, {^3 + 3} was a major turning point for {$the Isley Brothers}. With this album, {$the Isleys} moved their {@T-Neck} label from {@Buddah} to {@Epic}/{@CBS} (which became {@Epic}/{@Sony} in the early '90s), and it was at {@Epic} that they unveiled their new lineup. Lead singer {$Ronald Isley} and his siblings {$O'Kelly} and {$Rudolph} remained, but {$the Isleys} became a sextet instead of a trio when cousin {$Chris Jasper} and younger brothers {$Ernie} and {$Marvin} were added. This new lineup was called 3 + 3, and the addition of {$Jasper} on keyboards, {$Ernie} on guitar, and {$Marvin} on bass added exciting new elements to {$the Isleys}' sound. One of finest R&B bassists of the 1970s, the ever-so-funky {$Marvin} is in a class with heavyweights like {$Larry Graham} and {$Louis Johnson} -- and {$Ernie} is a stunning guitarist who is heavily influenced by {$Jimi Hendrix} but has a distinctive style of his own. {$The Isleys} had always been lovers of rock, but with the addition of {$Ernie}, their sound became even more overtly rock-influenced. Nonetheless, the rock and pop elements didn't alienate R&B audiences, which ate this album up. The single {&"That Lady"} (which is based on an {$Impressions}-like gem they had recorded in 1964) was a major hit, and {$the Isleys} are equally captivating on soul interpretations of {$Seals & Crofts}' {&"Summer Breeze,"} {$James Taylor}'s {&"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,"} and {$the Doobie Brothers}' {&"Listen to the Music."} With this superb album, {$the Isley Brothers} sounded better than ever -- and they gained a lot of new fans without sacrificing the old ones. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide