This disclosure generally relates to the use of enzyme combinations or recombinant microbes comprising same to make isoprenoid precursors, isoprenoids and derivatives thereof including prenylated aromatic compounds. Novel metabolic pathways exploiting Claisen, aldol, and acyioin condensations are used instead of the natural mevalonate (MVA) pathway or 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) pathways for generating isoprenoid precursors such as isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), and geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP). These pathways have the potential for better carbon and or energy efficiency than native pathways. Both decarboxylative and non-carboxylative condensations are utilized, enabling product synthesis from a number of different starting compounds. These condensation reactions serve as a platform for the synthesis of isoprenoid precursors when utilized in combination with a variety of metabolic pathways and enzymes for carbon rearrangement and the addition/removal of functional groups. Isoprenoid alcohols are key intermediary products for the production of isoprenoid precursors in these novel synthetic metabolic pathways.