S.O.U.L.

S.O.U.L. offers a small sampling of the Isley Brothers' best late-'60 and '70s output. Most of the songs on the budget-priced disc are undeniably essential, and there's a decent balance between the ballads ("For the Love of You," "Hello It's Me") and the uptempo numbers ("It's Your Thing," "Fight the Power"). The Isleys released so much classic material -- just during the era covered here -- that no ten-track compilation could possibly cover all the necessary ground. "What It Comes Down To," "Summer Breeze," "Harvest for the World," and "The Pride" are among the many missing songs that no Isleys collection should be without. ~ Andy Kellman