3 + 3

Their first album for the label after several years on Buddah Records, it was also the first time the family group, which had consisted of founding members O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley, officially included six members instead of the standard three. Following the recording and release of Brother, Brother, Brother (1972) the previous year, this was the first album to officially include younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and in-law Chris Jasper, even though all three had played on the previous several albums.

The success of the album is attributed to their first Top 10 pop record since "It's Your Thing" (1969), with their own cover of the self-penned "Who's That Lady", now re-titled "That Lady, Pt. 1 & 2". Other hit singles included the top five R&B single "What It Comes Down To", and their cover of Seals & Crofts' folk hit "Summer Breeze" (1972), which was also a top ten R&B single. The album became their first platinum album.

The Isley Brothers recorded 3 + 3 in the Record Plant at the same time as Stevie Wonder was recording Innervisions (1973). In fact, they walked in on him recording "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing". Both Chris Jasper of the Isley Brothers and Stevie Wonder were users of the ARP synthesizer and both worked with visionary engineers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil.

In addition to a stereo record release, this album was mixed in quadraphonic and released in 1974 on SQ record: T-NECK PZQ – 32453. It was also released on Super Audio CD on December 4, 2001.

The album was remastered and expanded for inclusion in the 2015 23-CD box set The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters (1959–1983).^[7]

The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die ^[8] and is listed number 992 in All-Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd. edition, 2000).^[9] In 2020, the album was ranked at 464 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.^[6]

Unless otherwise noted, Information taken from AllMusic^[3] and based on album liner notes.^[10]

The Isley Brothers

• Ronald Isley – lead vocals, background vocals
• Rudolph Isley – background vocals
• O'Kelly Isley Jr. – background vocals
• Ernie Isley – background vocals (1,^[11] 6,^[12] 8)^[13], maracas (6), tom-toms (6), acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar
• Marvin Isley – background vocals (1,^[11] 6,^[12] 8)^[13], bass guitar
• Chris Jasper – background vocals (1,^[11] 6,^[12] 8)^[13], Hohner clavinet (3, 5–7), Moog synthesizer (8-9), ARP synthesizer, acoustic piano, electric piano, tambourine

Guest musicians

• George Moreland – drums (1-3, 5–7), tom-toms (6)
• Truman Thomas – organ (1, 3–6)
• Rocky – congas (1)

Production and design

• Produced by Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley & O'Kelly Isley Jr.
• Malcolm Cecil, Robert Margouleff – recording engineers
• Ed Lee – cover design
• Don Hunstein – photography

Weekly charts

Singles

• The Isley Brothers - 3 + 3 (1973) album releases & credits at Discogs
• The Isley Brothers - 3 + 3 (1973) album to be listened as stream on Spotify