BLOODSTONE - Natural High (1972/2019)

The bulk of this is their debut album from 1972, featuring everything from a Bo Diddley medley to gospel-bred harmonies to Hendrix-derived guitar licks. Plus the hit, a beautiful fusion of all the above in the form of a sweet'n'dreamy soul ballad. The best early-'70s Isley Brothers album that the Isley Brothers didn't make themselves. (And believe me, there were plenty trying.) This reissue includes a previously uncollected 1972 single ("Girl (You Look So Fine)"/"Judy, Judy") and four outtakes, including a bizarre yet respectful "Little Green Apples." The annotation by Wayne Edwards is superb, and the discography complete.