Isley-Jasper-Isley
Isley-Jasper-Isley was a splinter group of the Isley Brothers formed in 1984 by brother-in-law Chris Jasper (keyboards), Ernie Isley (lead guitar) and Marvin Isley (bass), due to creative differences that arose among the group.
Jasper, a classically trained musician and composer and the key songwriter, producer and arranger of the Isley Brothers music, became the lead vocalist on most of the trio's recordings, and was also responsible for the majority of the writing and production for the new group. The older Isley Brothers returned to their original vocal trio formation and continued to record, employing a number of musicians, producers and writers to fill the void left by Chris, Ernie, and Marvin.
Isley/Jasper/Isley released three albums on their CBS Associated label, including Caravan of Love, which featured the #1 out-of-the-box title hit, written and sung by Chris and subsequently covered by English recording group, the Housemartins, who made “Caravan” an international #1 pop hit. “Caravan of Love” has also been used in the Dodge Caravan commercials, was recorded by Marvin Sapp on the WOW 2000 gospel album, and has become an anthem sung by numerous groups and individuals throughout the world who have made their unique version of the song available on YouTube.
In 1988, Isley/Jasper/Isley disbanded. The Isley-Jasper-Isley half of the group was inducted with the rest of the Isleys in 1992 to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2014. At various times, younger brothers Marvin and Ernie Isley returned to perform with older brother Ronald Isley. Marvin Isley died from complications of diabetes in 2010 and Ernie Isley continues to perform with older brother Ronald Isley as The Isley Brothers.
Chris Jasper continued as a solo artist and producer, forming his own independent record label, Gold City Records. He has released ten solo albums since the breakup of Isley-Jasper-Isley, including Inspired: By Love, By Life, By the Spirit in January 2013. In May 2014, Chris Jasper released "The One", the title track from his next CD scheduled for a late summer 2014 release. Notably, Chris Jasper has continued to write, record and perform all the music on his solo albums and produce artists for his Gold City label.
Discography
Albums
Broadway's Closer to Sunset Boulevard (1984)
- Sex Drive (5:28)
- Serve You Right (5:07)
- I Can't Get Over Losin' You (4:05)
- Kiss & Tell (5:28)
- Love Is Gonna Last Forever (4:28)
- Broadway Closer to Sunset Blvd (3:33)
- Look the Other Way (5:06)
- Break This Chain (4:30)
Caravan of Love (1985)
- Dancin' Around the World (6:04)
- Insatible Woman (5:12)
- I Can Hardly Wait (4:12)
- Liberation (5:26)
- Caravan of Love (5:41)
- If You Believe in Love (4:00)
- High Heel Syndrome (5:08)
Different Drummer (1987)
- Different Drummer (5:46)
- 8th Wonder of the World (5:30)
- Blue Rose (5:54)
- Do It Right (4:05)
- Givin' You Back the Love (5:24)
- A Once in a Lifetime Lady (4:22)
- For the Sake of Love (5:15)
- Brother to Brother (3:49)
- I Wanna Be Yours (4:30)
Compilations
- 2003: The Best of Isley Jasper Isley: Caravan of Love
- 2010: Broadway's Closer to Sunset Boulevard/Caravan of Love/Different Drummer [double cd]
Singles
- 1984: "Kiss & Tell" (#63 US Pop; #52 US R&B, #46 US Dance Club Play)
- 1984: "Look the Other Way" (#14 US R&B)
- 1985: "Caravan of Love" (#51 US Pop; #1 US R&B)
- 1986: "Insatiable Woman" (#13 US R&B)
- 1987: "8th Wonder of the World" (#18 US R&B)
- 1988: "Givin' You Back the Love" (#15 US R&B)
Music videos
- 1984: Kiss & Tell
- 1984: Look the Other Way
- 1985: Caravan of Love
- 1985: Insatible Woman
External links
- Official Website of Chris Jasper
- Chris Jasper on Facebook
- Chris Jasper's Youtube Channel
- Gold City Records