The Isley Brothers, “The Heat is On” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 76^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “The Heat is On, Pts. 1 & 2” by The Isley Brothers. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 76^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “The Heat is On, Pts. 1 & 2”, performed by 🎙 The Isley Brothers. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍

It’s amazing how many different, truly epic, soul collectives thrived back in the day. Among the most iconic is none other than 🎙 The Isley Brothers.  Something that has made 🎙 Ronald Isley and company so enduring is their ability to evolve seamlessly throughout their storied career, which began in the 1950s.  Sure, in the 2020s, it’s Ron and 🎙 Ernie Isley that retain 🎙 The Isley Brothers’ name but back in the day, specifically during the 1970s, when 💿 The Heat Is On was released, The Isley Brothers included 🎙 Rudolph Isley, 🎙 O’Kelly Isley Jr. (deceased), 🎙 Marvin Isley (deceased), and 🎙 Chris Jasper.  Also, prior to Ronald’s role as lead vocalist, early on in the group’s history, his late, younger brother, 🎙 Vernon Isley, sang lead but died tragically following a car collision in 1955.  The point of this mini biography is that most of the original members appear on the five-and-a-half minutes of funky goodness that is 🎵 “The Heat is On, Pts. 1 & 2”.

From the onset of “The Heat is On” (not to be confused with another epic, 🎵 “The Heat is On” by the late, great, 🎙 Glenn Frey), there is no way you can listen without moving your body.  The groove is incredibly F-U-N-K-Y. The backdrop is gnarly! The keyboard lines (clavinet) kick some serious butt.  Notably, 🎙 Anthony Hamilton would sample “The Heat Is On” on his 2007 record, 🎵 “They Don’t Know” (💿 Southern Comfort).  Sigh, he repurposes it well!  Other notes include the expressive, nuanced lead vocals by Ronald Isley.  I love the grit he employs.  Also, the harmonized vocals are another awesome touch.  How about that marvelous guitar 🎸 solo around the 3:15 mark, which gives this soul cut some rock sensibility 🤘.

So, following a bio and praising the musicianship behind “The Heat is On,” what does the theme and lyrics encompass? Love, of course.  In the third verse, Isley sings, “The charge of love is on the way / Make it easy, make me stay / In case you can’t hang on / Move on, the heat is on.” Woo! Truly, while listening to “The Heat is On,” “I [You] can feel the heat.”

Final Thoughts 💭

Sure, 🎙 The Isley Brothers have more renowned hits in their extensive discography.  That said, 🎵 “The Heat is On, Pts. 1 & 2” marks one of their better, and certainly, funkiest moments.  This, my friends, is a certified, surefire, undeniable funk/soul bop.

🎙 The Isley Brothers • 💿 The Heat Is On • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 1975

The Isley Brothers, “The Heat is On, Pts. 1 & 2”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 76 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype]