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Marvin Isley - Remembering A Legend |
 There are many attributes that can define a legendary artist. Some can be defined by their "musical athleticism", like Mariah Carey's ability to soar multiple octaves effortlessly. Lots of artists today are defined by their "stage presence". Others are "great interpreters", having the ability to record standard material in unique ways. And of course there are "the innovators" that forge new sounds and rhythms never heard before. What made Marvin Isley unique as a legend was that he encompassed all of the traits listed above.
Marvin Isley was a bassist and the youngest offspring of a musical family dynasty. Along with his brother Ernie, and brother-in-law Chris Jasper, they formed, Isley-Jasper-Isley (I-J-I) inthe 60s. A decade later the trio joined older half of The Isleys, serving as instrumentalists. Like a corporate merger, in 1973 The Isleys celebrated with the platinum album aptly named 3+3.
In "Fight The Power," Marvin displays his musical athleticism with uncanny prowess. The aggressive bass line clearly defines the raucous tone for the track, and Isley's style is so innovative that it continues to inspire funk artists, three (plus) decades later.
 In 1984, the Isleys split into the two original groups. In fact, the older Isley Brothers had to recruit lots of musicians to fill the void left by Marvin, Chris and Ernie. I-J-I went on to release three albums, and in 1985 they garnered the #1 out-of-the-box hit, "Caravan of Love". The song would later become firmly entrenched as a pop culture artifact when it was used by Dodge to market the Caravan.
Bass is the foundation of soul music. Bass defines the groove - which is essential. By its very nature, bass establishes the overall mood of a track. Therefore, good bassists performing their role of musical architects are definitely worth their weight in platinum.
In "Caravan Of Love", Isley creates a subtle minimalist grind reminiscent of a Frank Lloyd Wright arrangement. This bass line provides a solid foundation allowing listeners to gently grind  their hips. This is the pure essence of a "slow jam" distilled to utter perfection. And like Wright's work, the bass provides contrast and does not compete with Chris Isley's falsetto vocals. To achieve this effect requires subtlety that few can master and is rarely achieved.
Marvin returned to the Isley Brothers in 1991 and worked with them until his retirement in 1997 due to complications from diabetes. Both of his legs were amputated. In 1992, he and the 5 other Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
An additional trait that defines a legend is how well they deal with adversity. After his diagnosis, he and his wife Sheila dealt with it directly by becoming spokespersons for The American Diabetes Association. "It's a sneaky disease. It's silent," Isley said. "Diabetes is a very serious disease with a lot of devastating effects." Together the couple appeared at African American outreach programs and participated on an educational video.
Marvin Isley died on June 6, 2010 in Chicago at the age of 56.
Carter Burnette, Editor of The Soul Chronicle
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References/links:
Wikipedia Marvin Isley
Wikipedia Isley Brothers
Wikipedia "Caravan Of Love"
Legacy Recording Artists – The Isley Brothers
American Diabetes Celebrity Corner
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