The Main Ingredient, Work to Do | COVERS

In the 12^th edition of COVERS (2025), The Main Ingredient delivers a compelling rendition of “Work to Do,” originally performed by The Isley Brothers.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 12^th edition of COVERS (2025), The Main Ingredient delivers a compelling rendition of “Work to Do” originally performed by The Isley Brothers.

“Sometimes it seems, girl, I’m neglecting you / Well, I’d love to spend more time / But I’ve got so many things to do.” After the iconic R&B collective The Isley Brothers originally wrote and recorded “Work To Do” in 1972, another renowned R&B group, The Main Ingredient, covered it in 1973. “Work to Do” in the hands of Cuba Gooding Sr. and company appears as the fourth track on their album, Afrodisiac.  The Isley Brothers are a hard act to follow, but The Main Ingredient holds their own!

So, what makes The Main Ingredient rendition of “Work To Do” the sugar, honey, iced tea? It begins with the commanding, ripe lead vocals by Cuba Gooding Sr.  Gooding has some vocal similarities to the original lead singer, Ronald Isley (1941 – ).  No, they don’t sound exactly the same, but the key and the melody suit Cuba without a hitch.  His voice was one of the purest you’ll ever hear. Beyond the once-in-a-lifetime Gooding, The Main Ingredient sounds marvelous on backing vocals supporting their frontman.  The harmonies are beautiful, tight, and ‘on point.’ Adding to the allure and fun of the song is a spoken word interlude between the hard-working man and his neglected girlfriend/spouse.  Work to do, babe!  Like the original, The Main Ingredient’s cover features a soulful backdrop comprising keys, bass, drums, percussion, and orchestra (soaring strings and exuberant, articulated horns). Silvestor Simmons ‘puts in work’ behind the boards.  Naturally, there are similarities between these versions released within a year of each other, but there are distinct differences with this arrangement.  It separates itself while retaining the sanctity of The Isley Brothers’ version. Top-notch vocals and elite production work make “Work to Do” by The Main Ingredient sublime.

The Main Ingredient // Afrodisiac // RCA // 1973

The Main Ingredient, Work to Do: Covers No. 12 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; RCA; Alan Cordero, Wolf Art from Pexels; AcatXIo, Enrique, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]