“I Turned You On” By The Isley Brothers

There are few musical groups, or solo artists for that matter, who can claim a career as long, significant, and varied as The Isley Brothers. Since 1954 this talented musical family has recorded and released Gospel, Doo-wop, Rock-N-Roll, R&B, Rock, Soul, and Funk music on just about every audio format available - 78, 45, LP, EP, Cassette, 8 Track, CD and MP3.

By 1964 The Isleys were tired of major labels and their lack of creative control. They decided to form their own record label (T-Neck) and released several singles that featured Jimi Hendrix. However, those early T-Neck Records did not find success and after Motown owner Berry Gordy reached out to them with an offer, the brothers decided to fold the label.

Three and a half years later, with only minor attention and feeling that Barry Gordy treated them like a “second tier” act, the brothers reactivated the T-Neck label and released It’s Our Thing, featuring the smash hit “It’s Your Thing,” a reference to Barry Gordy’s hold on his Motown artists. It showcased a 16-year-old Ernie Isley on bass and a new musical direction that the Isley’s would now be known for.
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That same year they released The Brothers: Isley, another funky album which featured “I Turned You On.” This song was controversial for its risqué sexual innuendos, but still charted well. I adore this track, the production is outstanding, the murky down-tempo groove is far too funky to ignore, and its brash cocksure insolence would never have found its way to the airwaves on a major label.